Coupling Shell and Solid Elements

[DaDn]

Hi,

I am currently trying to model an aluminium casing reinforced with dry wound pre-tensioned Kevlar in Patran/Nastran. I am investigating whether or not I can model the aluminium casing using 3D solid elements and the Kevlar reinforcing as shell elements. The way I am approaching this is to mesh the Aluminium casing using TET10 elements, and then creating a second mesh (using TRIA elements) on the surface of the same solid to represent the Kevlar. I am using a ¼ model with symmetric boundary conditions.

I am having problems getting the meshes (and nodes) to match up. Has anyone attempted this before? Can I get any guidance on how best to approach this?

Many thanks in advance.

D

 

[Aerodesign]

Hi DaDn,
The simplest way to ensure that you have a fully connected mesh is to generate the shells directly from the solids (or visa versa. If you are using Patran this is possible (but a bit fiddly), if you have Hypermesh it is instant.

We use this method all the time, usually by making a surface mesh onto the solid and then using this (air-tight!, i.e. no gaps or slits) mesh to generate the TET10 mesh.

Regards
JW

 

[Onda]

In Patran:
Utilities->FEM Elements->Skin Solidi Elements