Distributed Mass

3D analyses only. Distributes additional mass across faces or edges on your model. It can be scoped to flexible parts only (Stiffness Behavior property set to Flexible).

It is supported for the following Mechanical systems: Eigenvalue Buckling, Modal (including pre-stress effects), Harmonic Response (Full, linked MSUP, pre-stressed, and standalone), Random Vibration, Response Spectrum, Static Structural, and Transient Structural (standalone and linked MSUP).

Object Properties

Tree Dependencies

Insertion Methods

Right-click Options

API Reference

Additional Related Information

Object Properties

The Details Pane properties for this object include the following.

CategoryProperties/Options/Descriptions

Scope

Scoping Method: Specify as Geometry Selection (default) or Named Selection.

Geometry: Displayed when the Scoping Method is set to Geometry Selection (default). Displays the type of geometry (Face or Edge only) and the number of faces to which the Distributed Mass has been applied using the selection tools. Use the Face or Edge selection filter to pick geometry, click in the Geometry field, then click Apply.

Named Selection: Displays when the Scoping Method is set to Named Selection. This field provides a drop-down list of available face- or edge-based user-defined Named Selections.

Definition

Mass Type: Specify the type. Options include Total Mass (default) and Mass per Unit Area. Based on your selection, entries for one of the additional properties is required:

  • Total Mass: Specify the total mass applied to the scoped geometric entities. You can set this property as a parameter.

  • Mass per Unit Area: Specify the mass per unit area. You can set this property as a parameter.

Suppressed

Element APDL Name: This property enables you to assign an APDL parameter name to the underlying surface effect element type of the distributed mass. Using this name, you can programmatically identify the mass element type and real constant set that you can reference and use in a Commands (APDL) object.

Tree Dependencies

Insertion Methods

Use any of the following methods after highlighting Geometry object or Part object:

  • Select Distributed Mass option from the Mass group on the Geometry Context Tab.

  • Right-click the Geometry object, Part object, Body object, or in the Geometry window > Insert > Distributed Mass.

Right-click Options

In addition to common right-click options, relevant right-click options for this object include:

  • Insert >

    • Element Orientation

    • Point Mass

    • Distributed Mass

    • Surface Coating

    • Commands (APDL)

API Reference

See the Distributed Mass section of the ACT API Reference Guide for specific scripting information.

Additional Related Information

Distributed Mass application.