Dear All,
I'd like to know your advise on the following problem:
I'd like to model the behaviour of steel column to steel beam joints using a phenomenological model. I'm using connector elements to do this, namely UNIVERSAl and JOIN connectors.
In the connector behaviour I'd like to model the non-linear behaviour of the joint considering the loading, unloading and reloading (in the opposite directions, stress sign). The loading and reloading curves are different.
Using *CONNECTOR ELASTICITY, COMPONENT=XXX, NONLINEAR is not a solution since the connector is elastic so it unloads with the same stiffness as it loads.
Using *CONNECTOR UNIAXIAL BEHAVIOR, COMPONENT=4
*LOADING DATA,
*UNLOADING DATA
is better but the loading and reloading curves are the same, so there's no damage to the connection due to the cyclic loads.
Is it possible to develop a user defined joint element? I'm sure it is but maybe it is too complicated?
Many thanks for your attention,
Kind regards,
João