Results by Member

You can display the results for members graphically using the Members navigator category. You find the numerical results of members in the Results by Member table category.

Deformations

The image Results by Member in Table opens the table with global member deformations. They refer to the X-, Y-, and Z-axes. The local deformations refer to the axes of the members whose descriptions depend on the specifications set in the Base Data (see Chapter Settings and Options chapter).

The local member axis system has an impact on the signs of deformations as well: A positive displacement follows the direction of the positive local axis, a positive rotation acts clockwise about the positive member axis.

For asymmetrical cross-sections, you can define in the navigator whether the results are related to the principal axes u and v or to the default input axes y and z (see image Selecting Local Member Deformations in Navigator).

The local displacements and rotations have the following meaning:

The table lists the deformations of each member for the locations defined in the Result Table Manager . There, you can also control which extreme values are displayed.

If you have defined a member hinge with plastic properties , the yield deformations, the yield internal forces and moments, and the acceptance criteria are shown in the 'Local Plastic Deformation Ratios' table tab.

Internal forces

In the navigator, set the internal forces and moments to be displayed on the members. For asymmetrical cross-sections, you can also choose whether the results are related to the principal axes u and v or to the default input axes y and z (see image Selecting Local Member Deformations in Navigator). This setting also affects the table output.

The graphical distribution of internal forces is based on the result values available in the FE mesh nodes. They are created for members according to the specifications set in the Mesh Settings dialog box.

The table lists the internal forces and moments of each member for the locations defined in the Result Table Manager . There, you can also control which extreme values are displayed.

The member internal forces have the following meanings:

The local member axis system affects the signs of internal forces.

The bending moment M_y is positive if tensile stresses occur at the positive member face (in the direction of the z-axis). M_z is positive if compressive stresses occur at the positive member face (in the direction of the y-axis). The sign definition for torsional moments, axial forces, and shear forces conforms to the usual conventions: These internal forces are positive if they act on the positive cut face in a positive direction.

The rules for internal forces described above only applies if the local member axis z is 'downward' oriented (see Settings and Options chapter). However, if the local z-axis is defined as 'upward', a positive M_y moment produces compressive stresses on the positive member side, a positive M_z moment produces tensile stresses.

Further tables of the 'Results by Member' category summarize the member internal forces and moments by certain criteria. In this way you can see, for example, the extreme values for each cross-section in the 'Internal Forces by Section' table.

Strains

Member strains represent local deformations in the form of axial strains and shearing. According to Hooke's law, they result from the stresses in the members.

The strain tensor for the spatial strain state is described in the Solids chapter. The matrix is simplified for the one-dimensional member element as follows:

The shearing is determined according to the following equations:

The member strains have the following meanings:

Contact Forces

For members provided with a Member Support, you can display the 'Contact Forces' in the navigator and table.

The contact forces p_x, p_y and p_z are effective in the directions of the respective member axes. They are shown in relation to a standard length. For asymmetrical cross-sections, you can define in the navigator whether the results are related to the principal axes u and v or to the default input axes y and z (see image Selecting Local Member Deformations in Navigator).

The contact moments m_x about the member's longitudinal axis are also shown in relation to a standard length.

Sum of loads and sum of support forces

For load cases and load combinations, the check sums Σ of loading and support forces are indicated at the end of the table. This balance will show a difference if the model also has nodal supports, line supports, or surface supports. Those support forces must also be considered in the overall balance.

Member Hinge Deformations

For members provided with a Member Hinge, you can display the 'Member Hinge Deformations' in the table. They show you the displacements or rotations transferred by each hinge.

Member Hinge Forces

For members provided with a Member Hinge, you can display the 'Member Hinge Forces' in the table. They show you the forces or moments transferred by each hinge.

Stress

Using the entries of the 'Stresses' category you can graphically display the stress curves of normal stresses, shear stresses, and equivalent stresses on the member cross-sections. This kind of display requires no license for the Stress-Strain Analysis add-on. However, for the enveloping results of result combinations and design situations, it is not possible to show cross-section stresses.

In the 'Stresses' category, various stress components and combinations are available for selection. This way, you can check, for example, the distribution of tensile and compressive stresses due to bending, which are available on an I-section's flanges. The assignment of values is set in the panel. The Control Panel chapter describes how you can adjust the colors and values.

The stresses are determined using an FEA calculation based on the internal forces and cross-section properties.