Members are the one dimensional elements of a structure. Most commonly they are used to model beams, columns and struts under applied loads.
As a member is created, it will appear as a straight line with a label. Once a member is assigned a cross section number, its colour will change. This allows for members with different cross sections to be easily identified by colour. Members are identified by their member number which appears in the middle of the member by default. Users can click and move the member number label if they wish.
Members can be created (and edited) via the form, the datasheet, or by using mouse controls. To use mouse controls, click and drag from the starting node to the ending node, and release the left click button.
To specify a member in SkyCiv Structural 3D simply provide values for:
Node A: The node where the member starts. Specified by the node number.
Node B: The node where the member ends. Specified by the node number.
Section ID: The cross section of the the member identified by its ID.
Node A Fixity: How the member is connected to the starting node A. Specified by a fixity code.
Node B Fixity: How the member is connected to the ending node B. Specified by a fixity code.
Advanced Fields
The Advanced Settings for members can be viewed by activating its toggle switch. Advanced form fields have blue labels, and include options for:
Type: Members can be Normal (supporting tension and compression), Continuous, Cables or Rigid Links.
Angle of Rotation: The angle (in degrees) to which the member is rotated about its own axis.
Node A Offsets: Specify a distance offset at the starting node A. Use this to model members which are not connected at the centreline.
Node B Offsets: Specify a distance offset at the ending node B. Use this to model members which are not connected at the centreline.
Simple specify the member "Type" as "Rigid Link" to create a member that acts as a Rigid Link. When this is done you will see that the rigid link is drawn in light grey color with a "R" symbol beside it.
Rigid Links can be useful to define rigid connections between structures that involve stacked beams or members. They are often thought of as imaginary stiff links that join members so they can translate and/or rotate together. A rigid link can also be used to manually control for member offsets. Additionally you can change the fixity/releases in the rigid link to control what forces and effects it has on what it connects to.
