Concentrated Force on a Rigid body reference point

[Bradley_123]

Hello,

I try applying a concentrated force on a rigid body's reference node, but I hit the error "Zero pivot". What should I do?

In my simulation, I have two parts initially disconnected, and one part (the rigid part) will move towards and make contact with the other part.

 

[FEA way]

Zero pivot message is just a warning, not error. It often occurs due to underconstraint. In your case, it’s likely because the parts are not initially in contact and you are applying force instead of prescribed displacement. It would be much better to apply displacement and check the reaction force. But also make sure to fix all other DOFs at the reference node in which the part is not supposed to move.