Answer:
To correctly combine the planned prestress with the other load cases, define a suitable load case and apply a "pulling" strain load to the members concerned. A pulling strain load can be, for example:
- Negative temperature load Tc distributed uniformly over a cross‑section,
- Negative axial strain ε,
- Negative axial displacement Δl,
- Positive initial prestress V, or
- Positive final prestress V (in RFEM only).
The input by using the axial displacement is the most comprehensible input, as you can directly measure the displacement at the turnbuckle of the tension member.