Constraints on mirrored mesh elements

[cmcbain]

I'm working on 3D meshing a semi complex solid. I decided to make it easier on myself by cutting the solid down the line of symmetry, meshing the remaining half, and then mirroring (or is it called reflecting?) the mesh before I apply loads. I wanted to mirror the mesh because the loading is non symmetric.

Now, I'm trying to apply loads and constraints and I've realized that the mirrored elements have no corresponding geometry. Not a big deal unless you're trying to load/constrain all the nodes on a surface, and there's no surface to select. Like an idiot, I clicked save right after I mirrored the mesh and now I can't undo the mirrored mesh.

So I guess I have a few questions:
1) Is there a good way to delete an entire section of mesh? I can't seem to find a way.
2) Is there a way to constrain all the nodes on a "surface" or "curve" when there is no corresponding geometry under the mesh?

Thanks for your help

 

[jbrackin]

Try the following options:
1) if you did not delete the original geom after slicing it; then use Modify/Associativity and select the reflected mesh to associate to the "unmeshed half" of your original geometry, now apply LBC's to the geometry.

2) if you deleted the "unmeshed half of geometry" ; just reflect the geometry and re-associate as above, then apply LBC's

3) if you want to work without any geometry, then for constraints, try using Constraint/Nodal on face the new face selection method in 11.3 makes it very easy to select element faces without geometry.for loads, you can also use "Load/Nodal on face" or "Load/Elemental" then in Select Dialog under "pick" change to face selection.

Concerning deletion of a mesh just use "Delete/Model/Mesh and select the elements using a box pick or any other method that is easy for selection.

Regards,

Joe

 

[cmcbain]

I think that did it. Thanks for the help. I was concerned that since my geometry is made up of multiple solids, and since the mesh is one big mesh covering more area than any single solid, the association would do something screwy. It seems that Femap programmers have come through for once. It only associated mesh within the volume of the solid I selected!