# Bold preload with spring2 element

**URL:** <https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/bold-preload-with-spring2-element/3350>\
**Category:** General Questions\
**Created:** [March 17, 2026, 12:54pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/bold-preload-with-spring2-element/3350 "2026-03-17T12:54:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
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**Author:** ![FEAnalyst](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/prepomax.discourse.group/feanalyst/32/688_2.png) [@FEAnalyst](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/FEAnalyst)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 12:58pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/bold-preload-with-spring2-element/3350/2 "2026-03-17T12:58:49Z")

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> [@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).](https://calculix.discourse.group/t/how-to-consider-pretension-in-spring-elements/1716)

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](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/simplified-bolt-connection-with-beam-element-and-rigid-constraints/3328/64)

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

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