Using Links to Model Beams on Elastic Foundation
SAP2000 enables you to model compression-only (gap) links for the vertical direction as follows (in V12):
(1) Define the link properties via "Define > Section Properties > Link/Support Properties" menu command. Set "Link/Support Type" to Gap and specify link properties in the Directional Properties section of the form. You can specify compression-only properties independently for each direction. Select "Nonlinear", click Modify/Show to set stiffness and open distance:
(2) Select a joint to which you need to assign the link and used "Draw > Draw 1 Joint Link" menu command to place the link in the model.
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h1. Using links to model beams on an elastic foundation
Gap (compression-only) [link|kb:Link] objects may be used to model vertical deflection, including that of beams on an elastic foundation. Gap links may be applied as follows:
# Define link properties through Define > Section Properties > Link/Support Properties.
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#* Set the Link/Support Type to Gap (Figure 1).
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#* Specify link properties under Directional Properties. Compression-only properties may be specified for each direction (Figure 1).
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#* Set stiffness and open distance through Nonlinear > Modify/Show.
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!Link,_Support_Property_Data_SAP2000_V12_Form_Tutorial.png|align=center,border=0!
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{center-text}Figure 1 - Set stiffness and open distance{center-text}
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# Select the joint to which the link will be assigned, then model the link through Draw > Draw 1 Joint Link.
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Please note that both links and springs are available for modeling, though links are more powerful because they enable [nonlinear|kb:Nonlinear] behavior and may be used either as supports or as connections between two non-grounded [joints|kb:Joint]. Nonlinear link properties are only active when running a nonlinear [load case|kb:Load case].
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