Can't fix connector load in Abaqus?

[gracem]

I am trying to apply a constant load to a cylindrical connector in Abaqus. During the first step I apply a smooth step increasing amplitude and in the second step try to hold it at that value but it doesn't work. I have done the same for axial connectors and it works for them but not for the cylindrical connectors. I have no idea why, I have defined the connectors as follows: (example for one)
*ELEMENT, TYPE=CONN3D2, ELSET=musc-vaslat1
3500, 3100, 3000
**
*CONNECTOR SECTION, ELSET=musc-vaslat1, BEHAVIOR=vaslat_behavior
CYLINDRICAL,
vaslat_ori,
**
*ORIENTATION, NAME=vaslat_ori, DEFINITION=NODES, SYSTEM=RECTANGULAR
3000, 222, 3100
1,
**
*CONNECTOR BEHAVIOR, NAME=vaslat_behavior
*CONNECTOR DAMPING, COMPONENT=1
0.01
*CONNECTOR DAMPING, COMPONENT=4
10.0
**
And to apply the constant load I have;
*AMPLITUDE, VALUE=RELATIVE, SMOOTH=0.1, NAME=vaslat1_hold
0.0000, 122.8760, 0.6500, 122.8760
*CONNECTOR LOAD, OP=NEW, AMPLITUDE=vaslat1_hold
musc-vaslat1, 1, -1.0
and have also tried
*CONNECTOR LOAD, OP=NEW
musc-vaslat1, 1, -122.8760
neither have worked- when I plot CTF1 I do not get a fixed load. Any ideas? Thanks

 

[Mustaine3]

When you run two static steps and apply the load in the first one (without amplitude), then the load stays automatically constant in the second step. See attached example.