How do you merge nodes?

Altair Forum User
Altair Forum User
Altair Employee
edited October 2020 in Community Q&A

I am attempting to correctly set up a fluid structure interaction simulation that implements an ALE group.

I have created a 'work piece' that is modeled as a SOLID ALE Material. This work piece is allowed to deform/flow into a surrounding 'void space' which is also modeled as a SOLID ALE Material. The void space is a component with a space exactly matching the work piece's dimensions cut out of it, such that the work piece fits perfectly within the void space. In other words the void space perfectly surrounds the work piece. Both of these components have been 3D meshed using quad elements. And the element sizes of both of these components are exactly the same.

I have been informed that in order for these components to interact together properly the meshes of the void space and the work piece must share the same Node ID's on their common boundaries. I.E. these nodes must be merged.

How is this accomplished?

Thank you for your help!

Brad

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Answers

  • Altair Forum User
    Altair Forum User
    Altair Employee
    edited July 2011

    U must better create contact surfaces in between both the components so that they dont penetrate each other and also simulate their proper behaviour. Also depends upon your application and solver.

  • Altair Forum User
    Altair Forum User
    Altair Employee
    edited July 2011

    I'm sorry, this last post was not at all helpful. Of course correct boundary conditions and behaviors must be modeled! That is a given. But as to merging nodes of to adjacent surfaces (which was my question) there was no pertinent information.

    Any knowledge about merging the nodes of two adjacent surfaces would be appreciated.

  • Altair Forum User
    Altair Forum User
    Altair Employee
    edited July 2011

    Hi, If you want to merge nodes, I usually use the face or edge menu in order to find all the coincident nodes and then compress them.

    Its in Tool -> EDGES (or FACES) -> you give the elements that contains the nodes to merge and then you give the tolerance.

    I usually make a PREVIEW EQUIV to see which nodes will be merged.

    The last step will be to make the EQUIVALENCE in order to merge the nodes.

    Hopefully this will help you!

  • Altair Forum User
    Altair Forum User
    Altair Employee
    edited July 2011

    and after equivalance, check for edges to see if any unwanted edge is in there, so equivalance that region again

  • Marcelo Duarte
    Marcelo Duarte Altair Community Member
    edited November 2019

    This tutorial is quite clear about how to use equivalence to merge nodes.

     

    https://connect.altair.com/CP/kb-view.html?kb=186585