Coupling and

Constraint Equations
Module 3
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Training Manual
October 30, 2001
Inventory #001571
3-2
3. Coupling & Constraint Equations
Just as DOF constraints allow you to constrain certain nodes
in the model, coupling and constraint equations allow you to
relate the motion of one node to another.
In this chapter, we will discuss when and how to couple
nodes or write constraint equations among them.
Topics covered:
A. Coupling
B. Constraint Equations
C. Workshop
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Training Manual
October 30, 2001
Inventory #001571
3-3
Coupling & Constraint Equations
A. Coupling
Coupling is a way to force a set of nodes to have the same
DOF value.
Similar to a constraint, except that the DOF value is usually
calculated by the solver rather than user-specified.
Example: If you couple nodes 1 and 2 in the UX direction, the
solver will calculate UX for node 1 and simply assign the same
UX value to node 2.
A coupled set is a group of nodes coupled in one direction
(i.e, one degree of freedom).
You can define any number of coupled sets in a model, but
do not include the same DOF in more than one coupled set.
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Training Manual
October 30, 2001
Inventory #001571
3-4
Coupling & Constraint Equations
...Coupling
Common applications:
Enforcing symmetry
Frictionless interfaces
Pin joints
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Training Manual
October 30, 2001
Inventory #001571
3-5
Coupling & Constraint Equations
...Coupling
Enforcing Symmetry
Coupled DOF are often used to enforce translational or rotational
symmetry. This ensures that plane sections remain plane. For
example:
To model one sector of a disc (cyclic symmetry), couple the node pairs
on the two symmetry edges in all DOF.
To model a half tooth of a comb-type model (translational symmetry),
couple the nodes on one edge in all DOF.
Symmetry BC
on this edge
Couple these
nodes in all DOF
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Training Manual
October 30, 2001
Inventory #001571
3-6
Coupling & Constraint Equations
...Coupling
Frictionless interfaces
A contact surface can be simulated using coupled DOF if all of the
following are true:
The surfaces are known to remain in contact
The analysis is geometrically linear (small deflections)
Friction is to be neglected
The node pattern is the same on both surfaces
To do this, couple each pair of coincident nodes in the normal
direction.
X
Y
Couple each
node pair in UY
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Training Manual
October 30, 2001
Inventory #001571
3-7
Coupling & Constraint Equations
...Coupling
Pin joints
Coupling can be used to simulate pin joints such as hinges
and universal joints.
This is done by means of a moment release: coupling
translational DOF at a joint and leaving the rotational DOF
uncoupled.
For example, joint A below will be a hinge if the coincident
nodes at A are coupled in UX and UY, leaving ROTZ
uncoupled.
Coincident nodes, shown
separated for clarity.
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Training Manual
October 30, 2001
Inventory #001571
3-8
Coupling & Constraint Equations
...Coupling
How to create coupled sets
There are several ways to do this. The one you choose
depends on the application.
To couple a set of nodes in a direction:
Select the desired set.
Then use CP command or Preprocessor > Coupling / Ceqn >
Couple DOFs.
For example, cp,,ux,all couples all selected nodes in the UX
direction.
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Training Manual
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Coupling & Constraint Equations
...Coupling
To couple coincident pairs of nodes:
First make sure all nodes to be coupled are selected.
Then use CPINTF command or Preprocessor > Coupling / Ceqn >
Coincident Nodes.
For example,
cpintf,uy
couples all coincident nodes (within a default tolerance of 0.0001, csys
dependent) in UY.
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Training Manual
October 30, 2001
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Coupling & Constraint Equations
...Coupling
To couple node pairs that are offset by a distance, such as for cyclic
symmetry:
First make sure all nodes to be coupled are selected.
Then use CPCYC command or Preprocessor > Coupling / Ceqn > Offset Nodes.
For example,
cpcyc,all,,1, 0,30,0
couples nodes with a 30 offset in all DOF (Note: Global cylindrical coordinate
system in KCN field).
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Training Manual
October 30, 2001
Inventory #001571
3-11
Coupling & Constraint Equations
...Coupling
Some points to keep in mind:
The DOF directions (UX, UY, etc.) in a coupled set are in the
nodal coordinate system.
The solver retains the first DOF in the coupled set as the prime
DOF and eliminates the rest.
Forces applied on coupled nodes (in the coupled DOF direction)
are summed and applied at the prime node.
Constraints in the coupled DOF direction should only be applied
to the prime node.
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Training Manual
October 30, 2001
Inventory #001571
3-12
Coupling & Constraint Equations
...Coupling
Demo:
Resume sector.db and solve (no coupled DOF)
Set RSYS=1 and plot SXY. Notice beam behavior because of
no coupling.
Show expanded plot (using toolbar button EXPAND12), then turn
off expansion
Switch to PREP7 and couple node pairs using CPCYC
(Coupling/Ceqn > Offset Nodes > KCN = 1, DY = 30)
Solve
Set RSYS=1 and plot SXY
Show expanded plot
Change DSCALE=1, replot
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Training Manual
October 30, 2001
Inventory #001571
3-13
Coupling & Constraint Equations
B. Constraint Equations
A constraint equation (CE) defines a linear relationship
between nodal degrees of freedom.
If you couple two DOFs, their relationship is simply UX1 = UX2.
CE is a more general form of coupling and allows you to write an
equation such as UX
1
+ 3.5*UX
2
= 10.0.
You can define any number of CEs in a model.
Also, a CE can have any number of nodes and any
combination of DOFs. Its general form is:
Coef
1
* DOF
1
+ Coef
2
* DOF
2
+ Coef
3
* DOF
3
+ ... = Constant
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Training Manual
October 30, 2001
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3-14
Coupling & Constraint Equations
...Constraint Equations
Common applications:
Connecting dissimilar meshes
Connecting dissimilar element types
Creating rigid regions
Providing Interference fits
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October 30, 2001
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Coupling & Constraint Equations
...Constraint Equations
Connecting dissimilar meshes
If two meshed objects meet at a surface but their node patterns are
not the same, you can create CEs to connect them.
Easiest way to do this is with the CEINTF command (Preprocessor >
Coupling/Ceqn > Adjacent Regions).
Requires nodes from one mesh
(usually the finer mesh) and elements
from the other mesh to be selected
first.
Automatically calculates all
necessary coefficients and constants.
For solid elements to solid elements,
2-D or 3-D.
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Training Manual
October 30, 2001
Inventory #001571
3-16
Coupling & Constraint Equations
...Constraint Equations
Connecting dissimilar element types
If you need to connect element types with different DOF sets, you
may need to write CEs to transfer loads from one to the other:
beams to solids or beams perpendicular to shells
shells to solids
etc.
The CE command (Preprocessor > Coupling/Ceqn > Constraint Eqn) is
typically used for such cases.
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Training Manual
October 30, 2001
Inventory #001571
3-17
Coupling & Constraint Equations
...Constraint Equations
Creating rigid regions
CEs are often used to lump together portions of the model
into rigid regions.
Applying the load to one node (the prime node) will transfer
appropriate loads to all other nodes in the rigid region.
Use the CERIG command (or Preprocessor > Coupling/Ceqn >
Rigid Region).
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Training Manual
October 30, 2001
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Coupling & Constraint Equations
...Constraint Equations
Providing Interference fits
Similar to contact coupling, but allows interference or gap
between 2 surfaces.
Typical equation:
0.01 = UX (node 51) - UX (node 251)
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Training Manual
October 30, 2001
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Coupling & Constraint Equations
C. Workshop
This workshop consists of three problems:
W2A. Impeller Blade
W2B. Turbine Blade
W2C. Swaybar
Please refer to your Workshop Supplement for instructions.