Frame Hinge Property Data Form

Use the Frame Hinge Property Data form to add a new frame hinge property definition or modify an existing definition.

Property Name edit box. SAP2000 suggests sequential hinge property names (e.g., FH1, FH2 and so forth) in this edit box. This name will appear in the Defined Hinge Prop area of the Define Frame Hinge Properties form. Change the name if desired. Note the naming convention applied to program-generated hinges; see "Program-Generated Hinge Properties" for more information.
Hinge Type options and drop-down list.

Choose the Force Controlled or Deformation Controlled option.
Select the type of hinge from the drop-down list.

- The Axial P, Shear V2, Shear V3, Torsion T, Moment M2 and Moment M3 frame hinge types are all uncoupled. They can exist in the same frame hinge property, but no interaction exists between them.
- The interacting P-M2-M3 frame hinge type is a coupled hinge property. It can exist with uncoupled Shear V2, Shear V3, and Torsion T hinge types, but not with uncoupled Axial P, Moment M2, or Moment M3 types.

Hinge properties in SAP2000 define only the plastic behavior of the hinge. The elastic behavior of the frame element is determined by the frame section (and hence material properties) assigned to the element. Thus, the linear behavior of the structure is not changed by the assignment of hinges to the frame objects.

The portions of the hinge load-deformation curve from A to B and from A to B’ are ignored by the program. After a hinge yields at point B, plastic deformation is determined by the curve B-C-D-E with all plastic deformation measured relative to B. Similarly, plastic deformation in the negative direction is measured relative to B’.

The elastic slope of a hinge is actually given by the elastic stiffness of the element over the assumed length of the hinge. The strain-hardening slope is the slope of line BC.

Modify/Show Hinge Property buttons. Click the Modify/Show Hinge Property button to access the Frame Hinge Property Data for {Property Name} form to define the force or displacement control parameters for the hinge.