Calculation of utilization

Hi guys.

I am wondering how I should read the utilization output?

By looking at the axial stresses it is clear that they exceed the strength of the wood:

Even some of the middle values, 1.86 kN/m2 (18,6MPa) is higher than the bending strength of the elements 1.3 kN/m2 (13 MPa).

So when looking at the utilization output, this gives me:

So does a negative procentage mean exceeded strengths or is it the positive or how am I to read it? I would think it would be ranging from 0 - 100% (maybe +100%).

Or have I set the color scale wrong? I mean this output is pretty weird, and gives me the impression that everything is fine, when In reality a lot of the bending moments in the elements are higher than their strenghts.

Thanks Rasmus

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Karamba3D on December 13, 2012 at 12:08pm

Hi Rasmus,

the stresses as displayed above are in kN/cm2 (see the caption of the legend output). 1kN/cm2 is equal to 10000kN/m2.

A negative percentage of utilization means that the corresponding region is under compression. Positive percentages signal tension. Compression can lead to buckling, tension not. This lies behind the output of positive and negative utilization values.

Best,

Clemens

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