Rigid Connector, Interface

The is a boundary condition for modeling rigid regions and kinematic constraints such as prescribed rigid rotations. The selected shell faces will move as a single rigid object, irrespective of whether they are geometrically adjacent or not.

To add a rigid connector to the edge of the shell, use Rigid Connector.

If the study step is geometrically nonlinear, the rigid connector takes finite rotations into account. The feature is similar to the rigid connectors in the Solid Mechanics and Beam interfaces. Rigid connectors from the Shell, Beam and Solid Mechanics interfaces can be attached to each other.

You can add functionality to the rigid connector through the following subnodes.

•

Thermal Expansion (Rigid Connector) to include thermal expansion.

•

Applied Force (Rigid Connector) to apply a force in given point.

•

Applied Moment (Rigid Connector) to apply a moment.

•

Mass and Moment of Inertia (Rigid Connector) to add extra mass and moment of inertia in a given point.

•

Spring Foundation (Rigid Connector) to add a translational or rotational spring or damper in a given point.

Interface Selection

Select the interface or interfaces for which this spring condition is to be added.

Table 6-61: Interface Selections; Rigid Connector, Interface
Selection	Apply To	Selection of Individual Interfaces
Boundary	When added: Exterior interfaces.	When Selected Interfaces is selected. Only exterior interfaces can be selected.

•

All other settings for the node are described in the documentation for Rigid Connector in the Solid Mechanics interface.

•

For a general description of layer and interface selections, see The Shell Properties and Interface Selection Sections

Context Menus

Ribbon

Physics tab with selected: