> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://calcs.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Sign and Axis Conventions

Positive loads downwards (gravity direction)

![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/helpscout.net/docs/assets/5c09df402c7d3a31944ed720/images/6139745d12c07c18afdd23f2/file-wOINXPlCUF.png)

Strong vs weak axis

![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/helpscout.net/docs/assets/5c09df402c7d3a31944ed720/images/6139753b6c65aa15b87d87d8/file-NYUmNBr9Go.png)

![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/helpscout.net/docs/assets/5c09df402c7d3a31944ed720/images/6139723a6c65aa15b87d87cb/file-qekHTXEejs.png)

Positive moment on the top, negative moment on the underside.

![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/helpscout.net/docs/assets/5c09df402c7d3a31944ed720/images/6139730d6c65aa15b87d87d0/file-32klnH3MTe.png)

Downwards deflection (gravity direction) is negative

![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/helpscout.net/docs/assets/5c09df402c7d3a31944ed720/images/613973422b380503dfdef600/file-jHSyC8H50Z.png)

Reactions force positive upwards, moment positive anti-clockwise.

![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/helpscout.net/docs/assets/5c09df402c7d3a31944ed720/images/613973866c65aa15b87d87d4/file-zrMahdKeUz.png)

![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/helpscout.net/docs/assets/5c09df402c7d3a31944ed720/images/613972746c65aa15b87d87cd/file-8aI2FQEoqG.png)

<u>columns</u>

Bracing

![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/helpscout.net/docs/assets/5c09df402c7d3a31944ed720/images/6139796a2b380503dfdef60a/file-XEIeDcXblO.png)

Loads

![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/helpscout.net/docs/assets/5c09df402c7d3a31944ed720/images/61397e576c65aa15b87d87f5/file-XshZfYFxNU.png)![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/helpscout.net/docs/assets/5c09df402c7d3a31944ed720/images/61397e646c65aa15b87d87f7/file-pjTyVUybvh.png)