By default, anchors provide fixed rigid stiffness in all 6 degrees of freedom (DOF). In addition to rigid stiffness option, anchors enable users to specify a linear stiffness for a flexible anchor, or to free the anchor in each selected direction using the Define>Supports dialogue. The acting direction of each anchor DOF is a local direction. Anchor local axis is aligned with the local axis of connected piping. To view local axes of anchors and other supports, click the 'Set Display options' icon and checkbox the option to display support local axes as shown below. Red arrow points to local 1 (U1), green arrow points to local 2 (U2), and the blue arrow points to local 3 (U3).
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To assign a release in selected directions only for spring hanger design, select connected pipe(s), not anchors or pipe supports, then Design>Assign Design properties, Object type Pipe. Clicking the Spring hanger sizing field activates a radio button to click. Users assign releases in selected local directions.
Imposed Anchor Displacements can be assigned to anchors and other supports by selecting them, then Assign>Point loads>Ground displacement (keyboard shortcut type F, then G), choose a load pattern to associate with the imposed displacement, and type displacements in selected directions. In order for an assigned imposed displacement to work, the support must be acting in the direction of the imposed displacement. For example, if an imposed displacement was assigned to an anchor direction which was Free, there would be no imposed displacement acting in that direction.