Pinned Connection

[akshaysomkuwar123]

Hello
I am trying to model a single layer reticulated dome and trying to compare vibration frequencies obtained from opensees with the experimental results. I want to use pinned connection in my model. It will be a huge help if anyone suggest me how to use zero length element as pinned connection.

Thank You

[STKO Team]

Dear user,
for pinned connections between the beams of the dome you can use the HingedBeam automation that we have in STKO.
Basically with this automation, you can choose the I-end and J-end higes... they can be completely released in some DOFs or you can put any linear/nonlinear material to define your hinge.
In your case it should be Ux = Uy = Uz = Rx = stiff material, Ry = Rz = soft or null material.
Is this what you want to achieve?

By the way, we've recently seen some questions about reticulated domes! is there any kind of blind prediction or something?

[akshaysomkuwar123]

Yes I was looking for something like this.
Thank you very much for the suggestions.
No. it is not any kind of blind prediction, it is some small project I am working on.

[STKO Team]

Ok, so let us know if you have troubles using the HingedBeam automation. Basically, it is the same we use for lumped plasticity, but instead of using nonlinear-moment-rotation uniaxial laws in local Ry/Rz DOFs, you can use a soft or null elastic material.

You can look at our webinar about lumped plasticity to know how it works.
It is the webinar #7: Nonlinear Modeling of RC Frames (Lumped Plasticity) here (https://asdeasoft.net/?stkowebinars-for-opensees)

[akshaysomkuwar123]

Thank you very much for sharing webinar link.

[STKO Team]

You are welcome!