Chapter VII The Frame Element

Figure 35
Continous
Frame Element End Releases Joint Axis 1

Pin Joint
J
Axis 2 Continous
Joint

I
Axis 3 Global X

For diagonal element: R3 is released at end J

Effect upon End Releases
End re leases are al ways as sumed to be at the sup port faces, i.e., at the ends of
the clear length of the ele ment. If a mo ment or shear re lease is speci fied in ei
ther bend -ing plane at ei ther end of the ele ment, the end off set is as sumed to be
rigid for bending and shear in that plane at that end (i.e., it acts as if rigid = 1).
This does not af -fect the val ues of the rigid- end fac tor at the other end or in the
other bend ing plane. See Topic “End Re leases” (page 131) in this Chap ter for
more information.

End Releases
Normally, the three translational and three rotational degrees of freedom at each
end of the Frame element are continuous with those of the joint, and hence with
those of all other elements connected to that joint. However, it is possible to release
(disconnect) one or more of the element degrees of freedom from the joint when it
is known that the corresponding element force or moment is zero. The releases are
always specified in the element local coordinate system, and do not affect any other
element connected to the joint.

In the example shown in Figure 35 (page 131), the diagonal element has a moment
connection at End I and a pin connection at End J. The other two elements connect-
ing to the joint at End J are continuous. Therefore, in order to model the pin condi-
tion the rotation R3 at End J of the diagonal element should be released. This as-
sures that the moment is zero at the pin in the diagonal element.

End Releases 131

CSI Analysis Reference Manual

Unstable End Releases

Any combination of end releases may be specified for a Frame element provided
that the element remains stable; this assures that all load applied to the element is
transferred to the rest of the structure. The following sets of releases are unstable,
either alone or in combination, and are not permitted.

• Releasing U1 at both ends;

• Releasing U2 at both ends;
• Releasing U3 at both ends;
• Releasing R1 at both ends;
• Releasing R2 at both ends and U3 at either end;
• Releasing R3 at both ends and U2 at either end.

Effect of End Offsets

End releases are always applied at the support faces, i.e., at the ends of the element
clear length. The presence of a moment or shear release will cause the end offset to
be rigid in the corresponding bending plane at the corresponding end of the ele-
ment.

See Topic “End Offsets” (page 127) in this Chapter for more information.

132 End Releases