pinned ends on beam elements

[sbuonopane]

Is there any direct way to define a pinned end (aka hinge, moment release) on a beam element? It seems possible to do this using a zero-length element with "zero" stiffness in the moment direction and "infinite" stiffness in the axial and shear directions, but this approach may cause numerical problems.

Any better methods?

Steve

[berktaftali]

1. Define two nodes at the same coordinates.
2. Use equalDOF command to constrain translational degrees of freedom

Code: Select all

equalDOF $nodeI $nodeJ 1 2

3. Connect the column to $nodeI, and the beam to $nodeJ

[sbuonopane]

Just what I was looking for. Thanks.