Learning Forum

[OProfile]

For a student project, I am analysing a bridge structure.

Everything works fine as long as all the connections are bonded.

As soon as I set all the connections to "no separation", the solver brings up the "Solver pivot" error.

Can anyone point out whats causing this and how to prevent it?

Ansys project file is attached if anyone wants to take a look.

[peteroznewman]

Why do you want to set all the connections to "no separation"?

[OProfile]

Because I want to simulate a welded contact.

[jj77]

A couple of things.

 

First of all in a real bridge design situation one would never model this with a 3D mesh.

Beams, and perhaps plates. Or if it is local failure (web buckling, or something else), then all plates.

Bridge Design software would be typically used (e.g., LUSAS, Midas)

 

Second point. If you still want to have a go with a 3D mesh, bonded contact is fine then between parts.

 

[sathya]

Check Newton raphson residual

[peteroznewman]

You can use Bonded Contact to model a welded connection.

No Separation means two faces are free to slide around in 3 degrees of freedom relative to each other. For example, if the two faces are parallel to the XY plane, then one face is free to translate in X, Y and rotate about the Z axis relative to the other face. One face just can't move in Z relative to the other face, and since the face has length in the X and Y directions, it can't rotate about X or Y axes. That is what No Separation means.