analysis error

[Zonghu Pei]

Dear STKO team：
I have built a brace model. It is divided into three elements: two long beamcolumn elements with high strength steel and one short beamcolumn element with low strength steel. Then, I want to restrict the maximum displacement of the short element in tension and compression. So I connect the two nodes of the short element with two truss elements. The truss elements are given tension and compression ElasticPPGap materials. However, it does not work. Could you give me some advice? Thank you!

[ValentinaSB]

Hi Zonghu,
I don't see how you connect your truss elements to your short element. For me, it looks like they are two separate geometry.

Best,
Valentina

[STKO Team]

The 2 truss elements are not connected to the beam
you can either link the truss elements (end-nodes) to the short beam (end-nodes) with a node-to-node interaction using an equalDOF.

Otherwise you more easily add an extra fiber in the beam fiber section with those material... after all the truss is only giving an axial force, which is what you would obtain placing an extra fiber in the center of your fiber section

[Zonghu Pei]

Thanks for your help and useful advice! I will try to modify this model.

[ValentinaSB]

You are welcome, let us know if you have trouble.

Best,
Valentina