Free Courses

[FAQ]

Yes, but not directly. COMBIN39 can be used to model a nonlinear spring, but it doesn’t have preload option. In addition, its elongation vs force curve must pass through the origin (0,0).
One approach is to run a multi-step analysis with the preload applied in the first load step and the additional loads applied in later steps. For example, if nonlinear, displacement-force spring curve is (0,300), (1,350), (2,400). You could:
1. create a nonlinear COMB39 spring
2. define displacement-force curve that is offset by the preload [e.g. (0,0), (1,300), (2,350), (3,400) for 1 mm of preload]
3. apply the preload in step 1 [1 mm displacement or 300 N force)
4. apply additional loads in subsequent load steps