*Beam()

Creates a beam.

Syntax

*Beam(beam_name,"beam_label",body_1, body_2, point_1, point_2)

Arguments

beam_name: The variable name of the beam.; Data type: varname
beam_label: The descriptive label of the beam.; Data type: label
body_1: The first body attached to the beam.; Data type: Body
body_2: The second body attached to the beam.; Data type: Body
point_1: The point at which body_1 is attached to the beam.; Data type: Point
point_2: The point at which body_2 is attached to the beam.; Data type: Point

Example

*Point(p_tbar_susp_att, "Torsion bar susp att")
*Point(p_tbar_frame_att, "Torsion bar frame att")
*Body(b_lca, "LCA", p_lca_cg)
*Body(b_frame, "Frame", p_frame_cg)
*Beam(bm_tbar, "Torsion bar", 
 b_lca, 
 b_frame, 
 p_tbar_susp_att, 
 p_tbar_frame_att)

Context

*BeginMdl()

*DefineAnalysis()

*DefineSystem()

Properties

Property	Returns Data Type	Description
i	Marker	The marker attached to the first body.
j	Marker	The marker attached to the second body.
label	string	The descriptive label of the beam.
state	boolean	Control state (TRUE or FALSE).
varname	string	The variable name of the beam.
id	long integer	The solver ID of the beam.
E	real	The Young's modulus of elasticity.
G	real	The shear modulus of elasticity.
OD	real	The outer diameter of the polybeam cross section.
ID	real	The inner diameter of the polybeam cross section.
AS	real	The correction factor for the shear deflection.
CRATIO		This argument indicates the structural damping matrix is a ratio of the stiffness matrix.
preload_x,^preload_y,^preload_z	real	The preload force in the beam in the X, Y, or Z directions respectively.
preload_tx,^preload_ty,^preload_tz	real	The preload torque in the beam in the X, Y, or Z directions respectively.

Comments

*Beam() can be used to model a massless beam of circular or arbitrary cross-sections.