The Pipe mechanics (pipem) interface (
), found under the
Structural Mechanics branch (
) when adding a physics interface, is used for analysis of stresses and deformation in pipes. It can be modeled on 2D boundaries and 3D edges.
When this physics interface is added, these default nodes are also added to the Model Builder: Fluid and Pipe Materials,
Pipe Cross Section,
Fluid Load,
Free (a condition where points are free, with no loads or constraints), and
Initial Values. Then, from the
Physics toolbar, add other nodes that implement, for example, loads and constraints. You can also right-click
Pipe Mechanics to select physics features from the context menu.
The Label is the default physics interface name.
The Name is used primarily as a scope prefix for variables defined by the physics interface. Refer to such physics interface variables in expressions using the pattern
<name>.<variable_name>. In order to distinguish between variables belonging to different physics interfaces, the
name string must be unique. Only letters, numbers, and underscores (_) are permitted in the
Name field. The first character must be a letter.
The default Name (for the first physics interface in the model) is
pipem.
Select Euler-Bernoulli or
Timoshenko to use the appropriate beam theory. Timoshenko theory, which is the default, includes the effects of shear flexibility and rotary inertia. Euler-Bernoulli theory is appropriate for pipes with cross section dimensions which are small relative to the length of the pipe, whereas Timoshenko theory can be used both for thick and slender pipes.
From the Structural transient behavior list, select
Include inertial terms (the default) or
Quasistatic. Use
Quasistatic to treat the dynamic behavior as quasi static (with no mass effects; that is, no second-order time derivatives). Selecting this option gives a more efficient solution for problems where the variation in time is slow when compared to the natural frequencies of the system. The default solver for the time stepping is changed from Generalized alpha to BDF when
Quasistatic is selected.
To display this section, click the Show More Options button (
) and select
Advanced Physics Options in the
Show More Options dialog box. Normally these settings do not need to be changed.
Select the Rigid connectors check box to group in the solver node the variables added by the
Rigid Connector feature.
The selection made in the Advanced Settings section can be overridden by the settings in the
Advanced section of the
Rigid Connector feature.