modeling membrane

[cspkumar]

I am modeling a triangular membrane. Tensile loads are acting at the three vertices inorder to keep the membrane in tension always.

Now, How do I model constraints for this problem? Because if the loads are in XY plane, there should be a x and y constraint somewhere in the model.

Kumar

 

[corus]

Look for symmetry in your model and only model that part that is symmetric. Apply symmetry restraints to those free edges on the symmetry line and a single load to one point. If the symmetry goes through that load point remember to only apply half the load.
If you can't think of a symmetry plane then you will need to restrain at least two points to prevent rotation and at least one node to prevent translation. Your forces must balance for a static solution so fix one of your loaded points in the x or y direction. Fix another of the loaded points in either the y or x direction and apply the component of the required forces opposite to the restraint at those 2 nodes, ie if you fixed one node in the x then apply the component Fy at that node. You should find that the reaction forces will equate to the missing component force, hopefully.