Learning Forum

[Mo]

Hi,

I have an Omega type expansion joint looks like attached connecting two beams together. I have number of these expansion joints in the assembly and to decrease analysis time in my FEA, I ‘ve decided to model these expansion joints as Springs. I tried to find the stiffness of the expansion joint, but not sure how to do it. When I introduce an expansion increments in x direction to one side of an expansion joint on the Fixed side I get Fx, Fy, and Mz. Same for Y direction, as when I introduce y direction displacement increments, I get F’x, F’y, M’z on the Fixed side. In this case how can I define joints between to beams as spring?

 

 

thanks,

 

[Ashish Khemka]

Hi,

How much time are these bodies increasing? Are you modeling them as solid bodies? What if you use shell elements to represent these bodies? Using shell elements seems a good approach.

If you want a replacement then bushing joints can be a choice but again you will need to find the stiffness in each direction for translation and rotation.

Regards,

Ashish Khemka