How to define a rotational spring?

[lukeme]

Dear forum members,

I would like to model a local flexibility, caused by a crack
on a beam, through a rotational spring. The spring has stiffness
about Z axis only, the spring assumed to be fixed at other directions.

To model this spring, what kind of element should I use? and
what parameters I need to define?

Please help me.. Thanks so much..

Luke

 

[mmachado30]

You can use COMBIN14, which is a linear spring element that you can define the orientation - in your case ROTZ (go to Element Type, options, and select the proper direction). The only parameter (Real constant) needed is K.

The element is also defined by 2 nodes, which may or may not be coincidents. In the last case, Ansys gives you a warning message for each element saying that its nodes are not coincident.

Note that in the other directions the spring has no Stiffness. If you want, you can use different springs on the same location for the other directions.

Good luck,

mmachado30

 

[lukeme]

Dear mmachado30,

I appreciate your reply.
Thank you.

Luke