Introduction

The MasterFrame Restraints menu provides tools to allow the modelling of a variety of restraint conditions within a MasterFrame model. The restraints include conditions applicable to the ends of members, such as member end releases to give pinned members, or supports applied at node positions, for example, to model the support from a foundation at the foot of a column. The MasterFrame restraints also allow for the definition of both linear translational and rotational spring restraint conditions at any node within a MasterFrame model.

Also accessible in the Restraints menu are the edge restraint condition applicable to finite element surfaces. This allows lateral or rotational support conditions to be applied to the edges of any FE surfaces in the model. These are broadly similar in nature to nodal support conditions, but rather than acting at specific nodes, they must be applied to the edge of an FE surface.

Also available from the Restraint menu are option which allow for the definition of partial fixity to be applied to the end of members. This allows the modelling of rotational or torsional restraint as a percentage of the stiffness of the member.

Also included in the restraint menu is the option to define which members are to be consider to have a potential plastic hinge at the end of the member.