Preloads
AdSec allows you to define preload (prestress) directly within a section. Preloads are used to represent initial stresses, forces, or strains applied to reinforcement before external loading is considered.
Defining a preload
Preloads are defined at the section definition level.
To define a preload:
- Navigate to Sections.
- Open the Definition view.
- Open the Reinforcement view within the relevant component.
- Select a preload type from the dropdown.
The available preload types are:
- Stress
- Force
- Strain
Prestress effects in the analysis
By default, prestress effects include:
- Anchorage forces
- Curvature forces
These effects are included automatically in the analysis results unless explicitly excluded. This means that forces and moments induced in the section by the bar prestresses will be calculated by AdSec, which will then be added to the loads you have specified.
Excluding anchorage and curvature effects
If you want to exclude anchorage and curvature forces from the analysis:
- Navigate to Sections.
- Open the Analysis tab.
- Open Advanced options.
- Enable the option to exclude prestress anchorage and curvature forces.
This allows you to control whether these secondary prestress effects are considered in the analysis results. Use this option if the force and moments you set in the analysis task already include effects of the prestressing, and so you do not want to count them a second time.
Video overview
The following video provides a visual overview of defining and controlling preloads in AdSec:
Note
This video provides a visual overview of preloads in AdSec. It may have been recorded using an earlier version of AdSec, so some details may differ from the version you have installed.