Bold preload with spring2 element

[FEAnalyst]

@MarcoMeccAlte

I would like to apply a preload, but I’m not sure which kind of workflow I have to setup; because I saw on internet that apply a concentrated force it’s not the best way, and was suggested to apply a displacement on the initial spring geometry.

Check this thread on the CalculiX forum (it might be better to ask there): How to consider pretension in spring elements? - CalculiX (official versions are on www.calculix.de, the official GitHub repository is at https://github.com/Dhondtguido/CalculiX).

However, I would use beams or even solids instead. Much easier to apply preload. There’s a long thread about the different approaches with their summary here: Simplified bolt connection with beam element and rigid constraints - #64 by FEAnalyst

I plan to post it with more details on the CalculiX forum.