Type of Element to use for Column compression only restraint

[il89]

Hello,

I would like to ask for advice/how-to on what type of element to use for a column restraint. I have a column (frame element) that is simply bearing on a "rigid" ground and so the column is restricted only in the direction where it will compress the ground. I would like the column to be able to be able to lift, and be able to translate in the lateral directions. I'm assuming I would use a link/spring however I am getting tensional forces whenever i run the analysis.

Thanks in advance

 

[mhtehrani]

Hi

I think you better use Gap/Link Element and if you don't want to consider soil flexibility you should use a very large magnitude for stiffness to gain good results.