Creating gap elements in ABAQUS 6.5

[ganu]

I am working on a structure with rectanuglar tube sections (3 dimensional solid parts). these are held together with splines. I have to create gap elements between the tubes to allow for seperation but not penetration.
Could some tell me how to create gap elements using CAE. Also, the initial gap is zero. Some tubes are in line but others are perpendicular to each other.
Thank you in advance....

 

[corus]

I don't think Abaqus uses gap elements as such. You define surfaces which will be in contact and any initial contact conditions.

corus

 

[ganu]

Thanks corus,

I have been reading and it looks like CAE doesnt support this. But, I think it can be set up in the input deck. I looked up the user's manual and there is a section for gap/contact elements. it would help me if someone can tell me input file syntax

Thanks.....

 

[johnsmith2]

you can define the contact pairs in the CAE mode instead of standard input. Read the user manual in the contact analysis part.