Internal translational/rotational Springs

[Men96]

Hello everyone,

I am trying to figure out how to include the properties of an internal translational and/or rotational spring between two beams.

Modelling in 2D and beam elements I always get an error at the end (when submitting the job) of "THE NAME ASSEMBLY_Beam right-1_None HAS BEEN USED ON A PREVIOUS ORIENTATION DEFINITION. ORIENTATION NAMES MUST BE UNIQUE". This is hapenning even if I model the two beams separately (assigning a different orientation every time) as two parts and then assembling.

The problem is I do not know how to include the properties. Should I use a connector to define the properties? And if yes which one? Because I just use beam elements. Or is it only by including a spring from the Engineering Features, "connected to two dots" ? And if yes how? Because for beam elements there are no two nodes to choose, just the one common (connecting the two beams).

I attached a picture of the model I need to define.

Thank you in advance for your response

 

[FEA way]

You would have to use discrete spring (from engineering features) or connector with elasticity behavior. Either way you will have to specify its stiffness. But it may be necessary to use solid elements instead of beam ones in this case.

 

[Mustaine3]

Have you assigned a beam orientation in the Property-module?

 

[Men96]

Mustaine3: yes I assigned a beam orientation for each beam separately and then I assembled the two parts in the Assemble-module. Still getting the error.

FEA way: With the discrete spring I cannot accomplish the relative motion of the two parts as I only have one node to choose. Same applies with the connector where it is not clear to me how to define. Should I create a wire between the two parts before connecting them, and then specifying the properties of the spring to the wire?

If I model it with solid elements (I just did it), which connector is applicable in this case? I used "Tied" contact of the common surfaces of the beams and I introduced new reference points to define discrete springs (from engineering features). For the reference points 3,4,5 I have springs connected to the ground and for the reference points 1,2 I tried to define the internal springs with discrete springs but looking at the results of the job, they are not defined properly.

I guess a type of connector for the two surfaces is needed (instead of the discrete springs), assigning there the properties of the springs, but I do not know which one.

Thank you for your answers, any help is appreciated.

 

[FEA way]

To create a connector you have to add wire first and then assign connector section to it. In the connector section settings you must choose the type of connector (depending on the type of motion you want to achieve) first and then add its behavior (elasticity in this case). If you want to attach spring or connector to the surface then you can use kinematic coupling constraint for example.