pin in NonLinear Beam-Column Element

[ninashnash]

Hi,
I am wondering how I can have define NonLinear Beam-Column Element with pin(moment free joint) in one of its end. I am thinking of equalDOF Command and zero length element. I am wondering if there is simple way to do that.

Thanks for help

[zvidrih]

That's the way to do it. Use equal dof, with all the dofs restrained except for the released dofs.

eg. if you need to release the rotation about the Z axis (dof 6) use

equalDOF master slave 1 2 3 4 5

You don't have to insert the zero-length element between the master and the slave node.

[silvia]

exactly.
you use a zero-length element when you want to define a flexible connection.