2/5/2021 MIDAS Customer Online Support - [BOUNDARY] What is the difference between rigid link and rigid type

nk and rigid type elastic link ? - Knowledge …

When de ning a elastic link, under certain conditions Rigid type

Elastic link may be de ned. How is it di erent from de ning the link as
Rigid Link

Rigid link constraints geometric, relative movement of a structure, where degrees of freedom of subordinated nodes called Slave
Nodes
are constraint by a particular reference node called Master Node. The relative movements of the master node and slave nodes are
such as if they are interconnected by a three dimensional rigid body. In this case, relative nodal displacements are kept constant.
While an Elastic link connects two nodes to act as an element, where the user de nes its sti ness.

Rigid Type of Elastic Link and Rigid Link are similar in that both are used to simulate rigid behavior.
However, the user must be cautious in using them because their internal processes are di erent in the program

RIGID LINK

ELASTIC LINK

1. Rigid type Elastic Link vs Rigid Link

In case of Rigid Type Elastic Link , the element sti ness is automatically calculated based on the working model,
assigning a large sti ness value of magnitude 105~108 times the sti ness of neighboring elements.
Such exceptionally large sti ness may cause a numerical error because of the relatively large sti ness of the link element.
Therefore, when the model contains an element, which has large sti ness to replicate a rigid action,
it is recommended that Rigid Link be used rather than Rigid Type Elastic Link. Rigid Link geometrically constrains
the relative movements between the Master and Slave Nodes without being a ected by large sti ness of other members.

2. Rigid Link + Support

https://globalsupport.midasuser.com/helpdesk/KB/View/5264129-boundary-----what-is-the-difference-between-rigid-link-and-rigid-type-elastic-link- 1/3
2/5/2021 MIDAS Customer Online Support - [BOUNDARY] What is the difference between rigid link and rigid type elastic link ? - Knowledge …

Rigid link should never be assigned with a boundary condition.

Looking at Model 2, the support boundary condition is applied to the Master Node of Rigid Link,
which implies the support condition is also applied to the Slave Node. This should be avoided. While in Model 3,
the support condition is applied to the Slave node. Slave node is constrained by the Master node boundary condition and hence the
Slave Node will be ignored.
Model 1 (Rigid Link Elastic Link Support), is the right way to de ne a boundary
condition.

3. Elastic Link + Support

Elastic Link has not been assigned boundary conditions. In such a case, the links will be considered as beam elements having the
equivalent sti ness.
In order to correct this, the ends of the elastic links must be assigned proper boundary conditions or Point Spring Support.

4. Computational Time for Analysis

The gure below shows a process in which a total of 72 (6x12) d.o.f are compressed to 54 d.o.f with in the plane of the diaphragm,
depicting the behavior of a cross girder in a bridge deck.

https://globalsupport.midasuser.com/helpdesk/KB/View/5264129-boundary-----what-is-the-difference-between-rigid-link-and-rigid-type-elastic-link- 2/3
2/5/2021 MIDAS Customer Online Support - [BOUNDARY] What is the difference between rigid link and rigid type elastic link ? - Knowledge …

If a degree-of-freedom of a particular slave node is constrained to a master node for the relevant degree-of-freedom,
by using "Rigid Link" relationship, all the attributes (nodal load or nodal mass) including the sti ness
component of the slave node are converted into an equivalent component of the master node.

Giving such geometric constraints reduces the number of degrees of freedom which can signi cantly reduce the computational
time for analysis.

For instance, consider the cable stayed bridge in the gure above where ‘Rigid Link’ action is used to depict cross girder diaphragm
action.
If this link is analyzed with the diaphragms modeled as Rigid type Elastic link, the number of d.o.f will increase substantially.
Each node represents 3 additional degrees of freedom. Hence in a model with large number of nodes in an analysis can result in
excessive program execution time,
or it may even surpass the program capacity. It is therefore recommended that the number of degrees of
freedom be minimized as long as the accuracy of the results is not compromised.

civil boundary conditions elastic link rigid link

Creation date: 6/22/2016 6:19 PM ()      Updated: 9/5/2017 9:42 AM ()

2016_FAQ_Vol.1_im… 2016_FAQ_Vol.1_im… 2016_FAQ_Vol.1_im… 2016_FAQ_Vol.1_im… 2016_FAQ_Vol.1_im… 2016_FAQ_Vol.1_im… Vol.1_37_What is th…

Get help for this page

https://globalsupport.midasuser.com/helpdesk/KB/View/5264129-boundary-----what-is-the-difference-between-rigid-link-and-rigid-type-elastic-link- 3/3