5651x
004144
2021-04-13

Question

How do I apply prestress to tension members?


Answer:
To correctly combine the planned prestress with the other load cases, define a suitable load case and apply a "pulling" strain load to the members concerned. A pulling strain load can be, for example:
  • a negative temperature load Tc distributed uniformly over a cross‑section,
  • a negative axial strain ε,
  • a negative axial displacement Δl,
  • a positive initial prestress V, or
  • a positive final prestress V (in RFEM only).

The input by using the axial displacement is the most comprehensible input, as you can directly measure the displacement at the turnbuckle of the tension member.