For geometrically nonlinear analysis the relative displacement across a SPRINGA element is the change in length in the spring between the initial and the current configuration:

where is the current length of the spring and is the value of l in the initial configuration. Here and are the current positions of the nodes of the spring.

In either case the force in a SPRINGA element is positive in tension. Defining spring behavior

The spring behavior can be linear or nonlinear. In either case you must associate the spring behavior with a region of your model.

Input File Usage: , ELSET=name

where the ELSET parameter refers

to a set of spring elements.

Abaqus/CAE Usage: P roperty or Interaction module:

SpecialSprings/DashpotsCreate: select

connectivity type: select points

Defining linear spring behavior

You define linear spring behavior by specifying a constant spring stiffness (force per relative displacement).

The spring stiffness can depend on temperature and field variables. See , for further information about defining data as functions of temperature and independent field variables.

For direct-solution steady-state dynamic analysis the spring stiffness can depend on frequency, as well as on temperature and field variables. If a frequency-dependent spring stiffness is specified for any other analysis procedure in Abaqus/Standard, the data for the lowest frequency given will be used.

Input File Usage: , DEPENDENCIES=nfirst data