To specify a member end offset

To specify a translation offset for a member end, use the following procedure.

Some members of a structure may not be concurrent with the incident joints thereby creating offsets. This offset distance is specified in terms of global or local coordinate system (i.e. X, Y, and Z distances from the incident joint). Secondary forces induced due to this offset connection are taken into account in analyzing the structure and also to calculate the individual member forces. The new offset centroid of the member can be at the start or end incidences and the new working point will also be the new start or end of the member. Therefore, any reference from the start or end of that member will always be from the new offset points.

Select the members which will all have the same end offsets.
Select the End Offsets tool in the Edit group on the Member ribbon tab.

The Modify member end offsets dialog opens.
For the Start node displacement and End node displacement groups, do the following:
1. Select if the values are to be specified in terms of Global or Local axis in the Direction field.
2. Type a member end offset distance (with units) for each of the X, Y, and Z directions.
Click OK. The dialog closes and the member end offsets are assigned to the members.

Example

Partial elevation of beam and brace member-end offsets due to connections

WP refers to the location of the centroid of the starting or ending point of the member.

The offsets for member 1 should be:

+7" along the local x axis at n1 and
-6" along the local x axis at n2

The offsets for member 2 should be:

-6" along the global x axis at n2 and
-9" along the global y axis at n2