- Constrained degrees of freedom:
Fix All, Free X, Free Y, Free Z, and Free All.
A general joint has six degrees of freedom, three translations and three rotations, all of which can potentially be characterized by their rotational and translational degrees of freedom as being free or constrained by stiffness. The Primitive Type property enables easier selection of fixed or free degrees of freedom. Based on the selected Primitive Type option, joint degrees of freedom will be set as following:
- Primitive types:
- None
All the degrees of freedom are set to fixed by default. You can free the X translation, free the Y translation, free the Z translation and free all rotations. All the translational degrees of freedom can be controlled individually to be fixed or free but there are no individual controls for rotational degrees of freedom. You can either set all rotations fixed, or just one of them (X, Y or Z) free or all free.
- Parallel
Translation X: Free
Translation Y: Free
Translation Z: Free
Rotations: Free Z
- In-Plane
Translation X: Free
Translation Y: Free
Translation Z: Fixed
Rotations: Free All
- In-Line
Translation X: Fixed
Translation Y: Fixed
Translation Z: Free
Rotations: Free All
- Orientation
Translation X: Free
Translation Y: Free
Translation Z: Free
Rotations: Fix All
Also, similar to a bushing, you can enter matrix data for the Stiffness Coefficients and Damping Coefficients in the Worksheet. Coupled terms (off diagonal terms in the matrix) are only allowed when all DOFs are free.
Note: For a specified joint, if you duplicate it, and/or change the Type property to a joint that also supports Stiffness Coefficients and Damping Coefficients entries in the Worksheet, the application automatically retains all worksheet content populated for the DOFs that are set as free for the new joint.
- Samcef Solver Comment Object:
GENERAL