What is the sign convention

	POSITIVE	NEGATIVE
Axial force

Bending moments
The bending moment is drawn on the tensile side of the member If the upper side (z’ > 0 or y’ > 0) is subjected to tension, the bending moment is positive. If the lower side (z’ < 0 or y’ < 0) is subjected to tension, the bending moment is negative.

Bending moments

The bending moment is drawn on the tensile side of the member

If the upper side (z’ > 0 or y’ > 0) is subjected to tension, the bending moment is positive.
If the lower side (z’ < 0 or y’ < 0) is subjected to tension, the bending moment is negative.

Shear force	The sign of the shear force depends on the variation of the corresponding moment. Ascending curve for the bending moment → shear force is negative Descending curve for the bending moment → shear force is positive

Shear force

The sign of the shear force depends on the variation of the corresponding moment.

Reactions _{(signs for reactions are shown in Diamonds 2020 or newer)}
The sign of the reactions depends on its direction: If the reaction goes in the same direction as the global coordinate system, the sign is positive. If the reaction goes in the opposite direction of the global coordinate system, the sign is negative.

Reactions

_{(signs for reactions are shown in Diamonds 2020 or newer)}

The sign of the reactions depends on its direction:

If the reaction goes in the same direction as the global coordinate system, the sign is positive.
If the reaction goes in the opposite direction of the global coordinate system, the sign is negative.

Stresses	The sign of the stresses depends on which stresses you’re looking at: Stresses in bars → if the stress occurs on the positive side of the local coordinate system, the sign is positive. The 4 sub results already make a distinction between compression and tension. Stresses in cross-section and in surfaces → compressive stress is negative, tensile stress is positive. In surfaces, the stresses are drawn on the tensile side of the element.

Stresses

The sign of the stresses depends on which stresses you’re looking at:

Stresses in bars → if the stress occurs on the positive side of the local coordinate system, the sign is positive. The 4 sub results already make a distinction between compression and tension.
Stresses in cross-section and in surfaces → compressive stress is negative, tensile stress is positive.
In surfaces, the stresses are drawn on the tensile side of the element.