Can I use a connector/spring to model a load cell?

[Efstia]

What is the best way to model a load cell? Spring or connector element? The load cell (cylindrical in shape) is expected to rotate in the x direction having a stiffness of 1.7 x 10E9 N/m.

 

[Mustaine3]

I don't know what you mean with load cell, but a rotational spring can be modeled with a spring and a connector element in simple cases or a connector element if advanced definitions are needed.

 

[Efstia]

The load cell is a sensor made of steel used to measure the force (i.e. reaction force). The load cell has a specific stiffness in N/m units.

My goal is to model the load cell, which will rotate in the horizontal direction, but it will be fixed in the other directions. Is the connector the simplest case of modelling the load cell to measure the force?

 

[Mustaine3]

I would say yes. You can easily request output (rotation/displacement, elastic force/moment, ...) for the connector to measure the reaction and load.

If you want to have only one rotational DOF with stiffness and the others rigid, then a Hinge would be the correct connector type.

Think about the unit system and that a rotational stiffness is not Force per Length.

 

[Efstia]

I am only interested for one rotational DOF as you mentioned and also to request the force as the output. So, at the end of the hinge (bottom) to extract the average force. However, where do I enter the stiffness of the load cell?

 

[Mustaine3]

Activate the M1 option and you can enter it.