Solid Connection
The Solid Connection node is obsolete, and has been superseded by the Solid-Beam Connection multiphysics coupling. It cannot be added in version 5.3 and later, but may be present in models created by earlier versions of the software.
Use a Solid Connection node for connecting beams to solids in 2D models. To complete the connection, a corresponding Beam Connection node must also be added in the Solid Mechanics interface. The Solid Connection node can be added to either points or boundaries.
When using it for a point, the connection is intended for a transition from a beam to a solid, so that beam theory is assumed to be valid on both sides of the connection.
When using it for a boundary, the beam acts as a cladding or stiffener on the solid.
Solid Connection (points only)
Select a Connection typeSoftened or Simplified. When using Softened (the default), three extra degrees of freedom are added to each selected point. This allows for a more accurate description of the transition, but the model can in some cases become underconstrained if the mesh on the solid is very coarse. The Simplified version of the connection just adds constraints to the boundary of the solid, and will in general cause local disturbances of the stress field.
When using the Solid Connection node for a boundary, the connection is intended for placing a beam as a stiffener or cladding along the boundary of a solid. No other settings than the boundary selection are required.
Location in User Interface
Context Menus
Beam>Connections>Solid Connection
Ribbon
Physics tab with Shell selected:
Boundaries>Connections>Solid Connection
Points>Connections>Solid Connection