Load: Prestress

Function

Enter the prestress for Beam and Truss elements as force and for Plane Strain, Axisymmetry, and Solid elements as stress.

Call

Model > Load > Prestress

<Prestress>

Load Set

Select a Load Set in which the specified load is included
Click to the right to prompt the Define Load Set dialog box to add, modify or delete the Load Set. If the user types the name of the Load Set directly in the entry box, GTS will automatically create the relevant Load Set.
 

Element Type

Select the type of element for which the Prestress is to be specified.
 

Object

Type

Select a method for selecting a part where the loads will be assigned.

Element

Select elements directly.

Curve

Select Curves on which the loads will be applied.
(For Beam/Truss/Embedded Truss)

Surface

Select Surfaces on which the loads will be applied.
(For Strain/Axisymmetry)
 

Mode

Add

Add new loads to the selected nodes

Replace

Replace previously defined loads on the selected nodes

Delete

Delete previously defined loads on the selected nodes

Apply to Unassigned Objects Only

When adding new loads, this option applies loads only to the unassigned nodes.
 

Prestress

Elements must be  defined with a constraint when using  prestress option in order to obtain exact input stress as a result. Pretension is used to maintain the prestress force under when prestressing.

For Beam/Truss/Embedded Truss

Axial

Enter the prestress axial force.
 

For Plane Strain/Axisymmetry/Solid

Sig-xx

Enter the prestress value in the ECS x-direction.

Sig-yy

Enter the prestress value in the ECS y-direction.

Sig-zz

Enter the prestress value in the ECS z-direction.

Pretension Type

This option prevents any prestress loss from occurring.  This option is applicable  when using only Truss/Embedded Truss elements that are activated in a defined construction stage.

Base Function

Base Functions can be applied to Element Types of Plane Strain/Axisymmetric and Solids.  If a predefined base function exists, it can be selected directly from the drop down menu; otherwise, a new base function can be created by clicking the base function icon.

Do not make displacement

Removes an