5.3. Using LINK31, the Radiation Link Element

LINK31 is a 2-node, nonlinear line element that calculates the heat flow caused by radiation between two points. The element requires you to specify, in the form of real constants:

  • An effective radiating surface area

  • View factor

  • Emissivity

  • The Stefan-Boltzmann constant.

Limit your use of the LINK31 analysis method to simple cases where you know, or can calculate easily by hand, the radiation view factors.