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Prevent mistakes of nonlinear spring element code
Positive and negative codes generating on a spring element are decided by the relationship between the orientation of the element coordinate system and the i/j end node of the spring element. Note that it is not only determined by the orientation of the spring element. Spring element codes can be decided as follows:
Firstly, subtract the i-end nodal displacement from the j-end nodal displacement. The result is the value in the global coordinate system based on the i end.
Next, coordinate conversion is performed on the value to the element coordinate system. The result is the value in the element coordinate system based on the i end.
The sign of 2 matches that of the spring characteristic.
Even if you do not strictly apply the rules above, you can easily test using the model you are creating.
It is a method of loading a load experimentally unidirectionally so that the spring element is clearly in a compressed state (or tensile state).

Example: Model of the spring element that backside soil resists against abutment
  1. Select the model with the spring element that backside soil resists against abutment (Fig.1).
  2. Horizontal seismic intensity load is applied as the experiment load in the whole X axis direction (Fig.2). Set the sequence load to 0.01, and the number of applications to 100 (Fig.3). By dividing the load weight into 100 parts, it is possible to easily confirm the response result of the spring element after analysis.

    Click to enlarge the image. Click to enlarge the image.
    Fig. 1 Model of the spring element that
    backside soil resists against abutment
    Fig. 2 Unidirectional loading
    experimentally
    Click to enlarge the image.
    Fig. 3 Setting of loading 100 times in increments of
    one hundredth

  3. As you can see from the displacement chart, the frame is deformed on the back soil side as expected (Fig.4).
  4. Focus on the spring element indicated by the arrow in the figure 4.
  5. Check the time history result of the spring element (Fig.5). It can be expected that the response will be produced on the side with rigid because the rear soil resists. Positive direction bilinear is set in this spring characteristic, and it is certain that it is responding on the positive side with rigid.

    Click to enlarge the image. Click to enlarge the image.
    Fig. 4 The body deforming to the Fig. 5 Response of the rear soil
    on the resisting side

  6. Thus, it can be judged that the setting of nonlinear spring element is right.
    In this example, the modeling is incorrect if you obtain the result that the response is produced on the negative side of the spring characteristic. In that case, please make one of the following changes. Note that if you do both modification, the result will remain the same.
  • Reverse the positional relationship between the i and j end of the spring element.
  • Reverse the positive and negative of the spring characteristic (using negative bilinear).


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