Simulating "Ground" support in Static Structural 1

[LiquidTurbo]

This one should be very easy for you ANSYS experts. I'm having trouble simulating a fixed support in only ONE direction.

ie. I'm trying to fix something in that it can't go through the ground, but is able to deflect upward.


Any help/advice would be well appreciated.

 

[fuzzdoug]

Try a "compression only" contraint or model "the ground" and use contact elements.

 

[LiquidTurbo]

I will explore contact elements. As far compression only supports, how would they work in this context? I've explored them before but guess I don't really understand how they are used. The documentation isn't particularly clear.

http://www.kxcad.net/ansys/ANSYS/workbench/ds_Pinned_Cylinder.html

For example I'm trying to model a heavy steel frame on the ground and checking for deflections if lifted up at once corner.

Many thanks.

 

[fuzzdoug]

if you push toward the supported face (compression), you get support normal to the face.
if you pull away from the supported face (tension), you get no support.

think of it like a friction-less support that allows the supported face to pull away, but not push toward.

hope that explains it better.