Any suggestions on using connections to limit movement?

[homebrewdude]

This is hard to describe what I am trying to do.....I will simplify it some.

I have a plate that will push on an I-beam.
There are no physical connections, (bolts or welds)

This should allow the thick plate to remain stiff, while the I-beam deflects.

If I run the FEA with Pro/e defaults, it thinks the large plate and I-beam are welded, thus stiffening the I-beam.

I set surface connections between the two, with the same results.

I then set a gap between the two, and applied the connections. This then allows the plate to push through the I-beam, like it wasn't there.

Any suggestions?

 

[mloew]

ppgregar,

You will want to set up a contact region between the two contacting surfaces.

Check the PTC Knowledge Base. Look under the Support Tools heading on:

http://www.ptc.com/support/support.htm.

Note: You need to be a maintenance paying customer to access this information.

Here is a link to topics on “contact region”:
(

http://www.ptc.com/appserver/cs/sea...0&Format=Detailed&SearchQuery=contact+region)

Best regards,

Matthew Ian Loew
"Luck is the residue of design."
Branch Rickey

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