Modeling spring

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Fame
Posts: 10
Joined: Mon Jun 11, 2012 12:28 pm
Location: University of Massachusetts

Modeling spring

Post by Fame »

Hi,
I am modeling a 2 span bridge for which a simplify is needed. I using a rigid element for the abutment. At the ends of the abutment I am using springs oriented in the longitudinal, transverse and and vertical
directions. I know the stiffness and intend to use zero length element.
1) Am i correct to use Maxwell material and assign to C, a and L zero since I don't know them?
2)I currently have zero length element in each direction(3) at each end of the abutment. Is this the proper way to model these springs
3) Can you please explain the the end of the command zeroLength(dir)? is this the orientation of my spring?
Thank
vesna
Posts: 3033
Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 11:23 am
Location: UC Berkeley

Re: Modeling spring

Post by vesna »

From all your questions I understood only the third one and here is the answer:

yes, by defining dir vector you specify orientation of your spring.
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