1D element orientation

Orientation is used to alter the local axis of an element from the default. For nonvertical members and elements, the default local axes are defined such that local z axis aligns with gobal z axis. For vertical members and elements, the defualt local axes are defined such that the local y axis aligns with the global y axis.

The orientation angle (Beta) is used to define the rotation of the member or element y and z axes from their default positions about the element x axis.

Nonvertical members:

Vertical members:

In GSA, there is the choice to use either an orientation node or orientation angle to specify the member or element orientation.