Abaqus springs: output forces and dispalcements

[MariosK]

Dear all. I simulate soil-pile interaction as a beam element for the pile and distributed springs along the pile to represent the soil. The springs are applied along the x, y and z directions at every node of the pile, while I have prescribed a nonlinear behaviour for the springs. My question is how can I get the output forces of springs at a certain node and a certain direction?. When I ask for S11 (i.e. spring force) and E11 (i.e. spring displacement) for an element, I get one value only. In fact, I would expect to get three different values, one for each x, y and z directions. Is there any way to decompose the output S11 and E11 to the three directions? Also, an element consist of several nodes. Would I be able to get the force applied on a certain node and not the one of the element?

 

[FEA way]

Spring elements (even nonllinear) can deform only axially and thus only S11 and E11 are supported (they are defined not in the global X direction but in the axial direction of each spring so those are local coordinates).

 

[MariosK]

Thank you for your reply. I am aware of your comment. My question is how can I see the the forces of three different springs that apply on the same node along the x, y and z directions. In other words, I want the force and displacement in the local coordinate system for every of the three springs.

 

[FEA way]

S11 and E11 should be sufficient since it will be:
- force and displacement in the axial direction of the spring acting in the X direction
- force and displacement in the axial direction of the spring acting in the Y direction
- force and displacement in the axial direction of the spring acting in the Z direction

 

[MariosK]

Thank you for your response. Indeed, I can now see that I get the counterparts for each spring element.