Special beam profile and offset

[Anonymous]

Dear users,

I have a beam (the z shaped one on the figure), which is made from 3 steel plates. I have columns up and down which are on the middle of the top and bottom plates originally.

My question is: Is it a good idea to model it in a way, that I make that z shape profile and draw as beam. After I attach the columns in the middle of the whole z profile and apply offsets up and down as they should be in reality? Because I am also curious about the bending moments, etc. 

Thanks in advance !

[Artur.Kosakowski · Accepted solution]

Personally I'd rather use rigid links instead. 

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[Anonymous]

Thank you Artur for your suggestion! May I ask why you would prefer that solution?

[Anonymous]

In addition let me ask which way is prefered for such a rigid link?

Or it doesn't matter how the rogod link is formed withing the beam?

[Artur.Kosakowski · Accepted solution]

The rigid link connects a master node with slave nodes therefore you cannot have it as a Z shape. Personally I'd define a node of a beam as the master one and columns' nodes as slaves. but assuming that it is a fully fixed rigid link in fact it doesn't matter which of these nodes is the master one. The reason I prefer rigid links is the obtained forces are based on exact shape of deformation. 

If you find your post answered press the Accept as Solution button please. This will help other users to find solutions much faster. Thank you.