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The node and element numbers will now appear in the Graphics window.

List Forces in Truss Members

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Main Menu > General Postproc > List Results > Element Solution

From the list, under Element Solution, select All Available force items. Click OK.

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This brings up a window listing the forces that the elements apply on each of their nodes:

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These element forces reported by ANSYS are forces ON its environment BY the element, not the converse. For example, Element 2 (or member AB) applies a force of 1500 N in the x-direction and 800 N in the negative y-direction on node 1 (or pin A). This means that the total force in AB is . The resultant acts from A to B i.e. the member is pulling on pin A. So it must be in tension. Similarly, the force in Element 1 (AC) is 2000 N (tension) and in Element 3 (BC) is 2500 N (compression). Note that your node and element numbers might be different from the above since they depend on the order in which the lines were created.

Close the PRESOL Command window.

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Bring up the help page for LINK1 element:

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The figure at the top of the LINK1 help page shows that the x-direction in the element coordinate system is along the element. So MFORX is basically the axial force in the element.

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