Incorrect Limit Stop Modeling

User Question: I see wind load results even when I have turned Wind load off. What am I doing wrong?

Reply: Upon examining the input data closely, we found this input data (see image below) for the limit stops. Can you identify what is wrong with the data in the boxed area?


caepipe high flange loads example layout image


This model has limit stops at node 475, 485, 555 and 575 with Upper Limit as "None" and Lower Limit as "3.00 mm". This means that the pipes are being pushed to 3 mm in the +Y direction. But, in CAEPIPE, the UL (upper limit) has to be algebraically greater than the LL (lower limit).

This input error results in a movement of 3 mm, which generates forces and moments internally irrespective of whether Wind (or any other load) is being applied or not, It may be considered as a kind of a "preload." The solution, of course, will be to replace the Lower Limit of 3 mm with -3 mm (or 0 mm, if that is what the designer intended) such that it produces expected results.