*FLEXTEN

Data format:

One line with 7 parameters, as follows:

ID IEL MKS TREF INOD IDIR KS

Status:

Optional.

Purpose:

To define bending stiffness in a flexjoint function of the tension. An option is now available for nonlinear flexjoint in bending to change both the initial slop and the friction moment as a function of tension in another element. The updated keyword is described below

Restriction:

The property number must have been defined previously defined

Details:

Parameter	Description
ID	Property number (from FLEXPROADD of the FLEXJOINT definition)
IEL	Element reference number to compute tension T (considered positive otherwise 0)
MKS	For linear flexjoint : slope of the initial stiffness versus tension therefore K=Kini+MKD(T-TREF) For nonlinear flexjoint : slope of the sliding moment versus tension : Mf=Mfini+MKD(T-TREF)
TREF	Reference tension in Newton
INOD	Reference node if tension projection required
IDIR	To update the flexjoint property with tension, the force considered is the projection of the tension along the local Z-axis of INOD the projection of tension on the plane perpendicular to the local Z-axis of INOD
KS	Only used when a nonlinear flexjoint is defined. It is then the slope of stiffness versus tension. Therefore both the initial stiffness and the sliding moment can be modified by tension