CONTACT IN MERGED PARTS

[EbrahimGamaleldin]

Hello Users,
I am trying to mesh a foundation-soil interaction using two parts and the foundation is a solid embedded part in soil. I am starting modeling with simple cylindrical foundation but the geometry of the foundation after that will be more complex using elliptical foundation. So, I am looking for the best work flow especially in meshing and defining the contact.

Generally, I want to ask about the best way to deal with meshing in such cases and I am thinking of these options to make a compatibility in meshing
1. Dealing with them as parts and finally merge their geometry, then mesh the assembly. Here, Defining the contact between them and their different material still exist!
2. Meshing parts, and the merge the two parts mesh.

Is there any other ideas would make the modeling easier, please provide me with it.
Thanks!

 

[FEA way]

The easiest way is to use partitions but if you want to have two parts then you can merge their geometry (commonly done with the Merge/Cut Instances tool). Keep them as separate parts only if you have a reason to do so - e.g. to model contact between them.

 

[EbrahimGamaleldin]

Thanks for your response
Actually I want to model the interaction between parts surfaces. So, it seems that I have to model them as separate parts. However, in this case, I will obtain unconnected mesh between the two parts.. Is this accepted, because I saw a lot of videos that the parts have unconnected mesh between them!!
In addition, I do not know how to use partitions for that so if you can help me with a reference tutorial or video!

 

[EbrahimGamaleldin]

Above these mentioned, I might have to model the soil as deformable solid and the foundations as a rigid, and this is another reason to model as two parts.

 

[FEA way]

If the mesh is continuous (connected) then there’s no need for contact or any other interaction/constraint. So you need separate (not merged) parts in such a case.

 

[EbrahimGamaleldin]

So, please to confirm, the unconnected mesh here will not be a problem in the model!
As you see the nodes of the foundations is not connected with the soil at the perimeter.

Thanks for your patience

 

[FEA way]

Yes but you need contact or tie constraint to connect these parts then.

 

[EbrahimGamaleldin]

Thank you very much!
your answers were very helpful to me