how to constrain a 3D cylinder so that it can expand radially or longitudinally

- November 27, 2024 at 5:57 pm
  
  ChrisD
  Subscriber
  
  This seems like it should be such an easy thing to do, but I can't figure it out. Imagine that you have a thick cylinder with solid elements. I'd like to allow it to expand radially about it's fixed centerline, to simulate internal pressure. I'd also like to be able to apply a force to one end of the cylinder to produce a longitudinal stress. So I somehow have to fix the annular area on the other end so that the nodes in that plane can expand radially, but be fixed in the z-direction, assuming the centerline runs along the z-axis. But everything I try leads to rigid body motion because the cylinder can either float or rotate in the xy plane. Any suggestions would be most appreciated. (PS, I know I can do this axisymmetrically, but I may have a holes or other features that kill symmetry).
  Thank you!
  Chris
- November 28, 2024 at 4:03 pm
  
  Gary_S
  Ansys Employee
  
  Try a Remote Displacement referenced to a Coordinate System located at the center of the cylinder
  A Remote Displacement can be used as a support to fix (0) or allow (free) movement in X,Y,Z and RotX, RotY, RotZ.