Navigation:  Assigning Properties to Modeling Entities > Properties for Members > Tension/Compression Only

Sometimes it is desirable to specify that a particular member can only carry tension or can only carry compression forces.  One example is a slender rod used as a hanger.  Intuition might dictate that such a member would be so flexible that it would just tend to buckle and offer no resistance if it was ever put into compression.  So these commands provide a way to specify that a particular member can only carry one type of force or the other.  

 

If a specified member tends to experience the other type of force in any analysis, the program will simply disregard and stiffness or resistance from the specified member for that particular condition.

 

To specify that a member is tension-only or compression-only select the member and then click Create (or Modify) > Member Properties > Tension/Compression Only.  The Tension/Compression Only dialog collects the specification and allows it to be assigned to selected members.

 

 

Tip:  To remove a Tension/Compression Only specification, choose the Linear option and assign that to the member.