This window is displayed when you create a new analysis or open an existing analysis. It is displayed as a floating window separate from the main application window. Closing this window will not close the analysis itself and will not lose any information about the analysis. To redisplay this window (when an analysis is open), select Analysis Inputs from the View menu, or press F4.
This tab contains inputs for the supports in the analysis. Each row in the grid represents one support definition. See also General Tab, Members Tab, Loadings Tab, Combinations Tab, and Notes Tab.
| Support Type | Support types may be horizontal (X), vertical (Y), torsional (T), rotation about X axis (Rx), rotation about Y axis (Ry), or a combination of the above. The X and Y directions correspond to the horizontal and vertical axes in the cross section. Rotational supports are only allowed at the left-most or right-most ends of the members. A flexural hinge may also be defined for bending about the X axis (Hx) or the Y axis (Hy). To add a support or hinge, enter its type in the blank row after the last support. |
| Location | The global longitudinal position of the support (vertical position for columns). |
| Bearing | The length of bearing in the longitudinal direction (width of the support). |
| Fastened | Indicates whether the bearing flange is fastened to the support. This can affect the web-crippling strength at the support. To change between Yes and No, press F2 or a letter key, or double-click. |
| K | The effective length factor to use in the span between this support and the next support of this type. If X, Y, and T supports are at the same location with different effective length factors, you may define them separately. Note that horizontal (X) supports define Ky for buckling about the Y axis, and vertical (Y) supports define Kx for buckling about the X axis. If the section cantilevers beyond the last support, CFS uses K=2.1 on the cantilevered length, unless the entered K value is larger. You may model a continuously supported span by entering a factor of K=0. Loads applied in the direction of a continuously supported span will be ignored, and the continuously supported span will have no shear, moment, or deflection in that direction. |