Connectors and Debugging connectors
Objective:
Create connector and Attach the various parts of the given model as the information below:
1. Right_Rail_2 & Front_truss_1:- Seam-Quad(angled+capped+L)
2. Left_Rail_2 & Front_truss_1:- Quad elements
3. Front_truss_2, Front_truss_1 & Right_Rail_1:- Spot weld with 3 Layers and 5 mm Diameter
4. Front_truss_2, Front_truss_1 & Left_Rail_1:- Hexa (Adhesive)
5. Rear_truss_2 & Right_Rail_2:- Bolt Connector
6. Rear_truss_2 & Left_Rail_2:- Bolt Connector
7. Right_Rail_1 & Right_Rail_2:- Spot-weld with Rigid Elements
8. Left_Rail_1 & Left_Rail_2:- Spot-weld with Spring Elements
9. Rest all the component left Join them with suitable connectors
Procedure:
1. Import the provided model using 'import' tab in Radioss user profile.
2. As the model provided is already the mid surface of the component. It is directly meshed using 'automesh' option with element size of 5mm with mixed element type.
3. A material of Steel and property of Frame Assembly were created. The material was assigned to property, and property to the components.
4. All the connectors were applied one by one as follows:
Note: If the connector is not realized due to some error it will appear in RED color. Therefore, a connector tab is opened (View - Browser - HyperMesh - Connector)and used by right click and then re-realise button. This realises the connectoe and thus the connector turns GREEN.
1. Right_Rail_2 & Front_truss_1:- Seam-Quad(angled+capped+L)
Seam-Quad (angled+capped+L) also commonly known as 'Volvo Seam Quads'. As it was developed by Volvo and is used commonly in many industries.
To apply this select 'seam' tab (1D - connectors) and create using create tab with the following settings:
type - seam-quad(angled+capped+L)
spacing - 5
tolerance -10
weld angle - 45
cap angle - 60
runoff angle - 10
property - Frame assembly
components - Right_Rail_2 & Front_truss_1
nodes - to be selected where connector is to be made
2. Left_Rail_2 & Front_truss_1:- Quad elements
To apply this select 'seam' tab (1D - connectors) and create using create tab with the following settings:
type - quads
spacing - 5
tolerance -10
property - Frame assembly
components - Left_Rail_2 & Front_truss_1
nodes - edge of the Front truss 1 to be selected where connector is to be made.
3. Front_truss_2, Front_truss_1 & Right_Rail_1:- Spot weld with 3 Layers and 5 mm Diameter
To apply this select 'spot' tab (1D - connectors) and create using create tab with the following settings:
type - plot
spacing - 5
tolerance -10
diameter - 5
num layers - total 3
property - Frame assembly
components - Front_truss_2, Front_truss_1 & Right_Rail_1
nodes - to be selected where connector is to be made.
4. Front_truss_2, Front_truss_1 & Left_Rail_1:- Hexa (Adhesive)
Hexa (Adhesive) connector are used where the components are joined by industrial adhesives. It creates a 3D (hexa) element representing adhesive joint. The number of layerrs and the number of coats of the connector can be changed according to the requirement. This connector creates a seperate property and component collector.
To apply this select 'seam' tab (1D - connectors) and create using create tab with the following settings:
type - hexa(adhesive)
spacing - 5
tolerance -10
components - Front_truss_2, Front_truss_1 & Left_Rail_1
nodes - to be selected where connector is to be made.
This created 'RBE3' links for the connector.
5. Rear_truss_2 & Right_Rail_2:- Bolt Connector
To apply this select 'bolt' tab (1D - connectors) and create using create tab with the following settings:
type - bolt(general)
num layers - 2
tolerance -10
components - Rear_truss_2 & Right_Rail_2
nodes - two individual nodes to be selected where bolt is to be made.
Option on the right side is changed from 'consider existing hole only' to 'create hole, if none'. The local mesh of these components was distorted, therefore, it was optimized by remeshing uaing optimization tools (2D - qualityindex).
6. Rear_truss_2 & Left_Rail_2:- Bolt Connector
The components had to joined again using bolt connectors. For this, similar approach was taken as in connector 5. The changes made were as:
type - bolt(CBAR)
components - Rear_truss_2 & Left_Rail_2
7. Right_Rail_1 & Right_Rail_2:- Spot-weld with Rigid Elements
Spot weld with rigid elements is used as connector which creates 'RBE2' links to join.
To apply this select 'spot' tab (1D - connectors) and create using create tab with the following settings:
type - rigid
spacing - 5
tolerance -10
diameter - 5
num layers - total 2
property - Frame assembly
components - Right_Rail_1 & Right_Rail_2
nodes - to be selected where connector is to be made.
Connector is made on both the ends of the components.
8. Left_Rail_1 & Left_Rail_2:- Spot-weld with Spring Elements
For both rails similar procedure was followed as in connector 7. Changes made are as:
type - spring
This connector created 'CLEAS' (elastic) elements. Connector is made on both the ends of the components.
9. Other connectors
Left_Rail_1 & Rear_Truss_2 :- Bolt(spider)
To apply this select 'bolt' tab (1D - connectors) and create using create tab with the following settings:
type - bolt(spider)
num layers - 2
tolerance -10
components - Left_Rail_1 & Rear_Truss_2
nodes - two individual nodes to be selected where bolt is to be made.
This connection created 'RBE2' elements between the components.
Rear_Truss_1 & Rear_Truss_2 :- Spot Weld - Rigid (For top), Spring elements (For bottom)
To apply this select 'spot' tab (1D - connectors) and create using create tab with the following settings:
type - rigid(for top) / Spring (for bottom)
spacing - 5
tolerance -10
diameter - 5
num layers - total 2
property - Frame assembly
components - Rear_Truss_1 & Rear_Truss_2
nodes - to be selected where connector is to be made.
Reinf_plate , Front_Truss_1 & Front_Truss_2 :- Seam Weld Quad
To apply this select 'seam' tab (1D - connectors) and create using create tab with the following settings:
type - quads
spacing - 5
tolerance -10
property - Frame assembly
components - Reinf_plate , Front_Truss_1 & Reinf_plate, Front_Truss_2
nodes - edge of the Reinf_plate to be selected where connector is to be made.
Results :
All the components of the model are joined using different connectors as specified and non- specified successfully.
The final model is shown below
Conclusion:
Use of connectors plays a very essential role during analysis of components as it transfers load from one end to other. Therefore, by using different connectors its uses could be learned.
Link to model - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b_RaKfihJinLvLp82CJRJZWuly3w_7Dy/view?usp=sharing