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Gaps panel - HyperMesh profile

Gaps panel - HyperMesh profile

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Gaps panel - HyperMesh profile

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Use the Gaps panel to create gap elements.

A gap element is an element created in a space between two nodes, or between a node and an element, of a model where contact may occur.  Use a gap element when you want to impose a nonlinear constraint on a model; this constraint will limit the amount of movement possible during analysis.  Gap elements have property pointers.

Gap elements are element config 70 and are displayed as a line between two nodes with GAP written at the centroid of the element.

Gaps can translate to CGAP or CGAPG elements in OptiStruct, CGAP element in Nastran or *GAP option in Abaqus.

 

Subpanels and Inputs

The Gaps panel contains the following subpanels:

hmtoggle_arrow1Create

Use the Create subpanel to create new gap elements.

gaps_before

standard_arrow_beforeafter

gaps_after

 

Panel Inputs

Input

Action

from node

Select the elements' starting node.

to node

Select the elements' ending node.

orient vector /
no vector

Use the toggle to choose between a an orient vector collector, which defines the element orientation, or no vector.

Orientation is only necessary when the element nodes are coincident.

property =

The property collector which the new elements should point.

elem types =

Click the button and pick the appropriate element type.  Available options depend on the solver profile.

 
hmtoggle_arrow1Update

Use the Update subpanel to alter the characteristics of existing gap elements.

 

Panel Inputs

Input

Action

elems

Select the gap elements that you wish to alter.

orient vector /
no vector

Use the toggle to choose between a an orient vector collector, which defines the element orientation, or no vector (in which case the element is oriented by the from and to nodes).

property =

The property collector which the new elements should point.

elem types =

Click the button and pick the appropriate element type.  Available options depend on the solver profile.