apply a load to hollow part

ElineH
ElineH Altair Community Member
edited October 2020 in Community Q&A

Hi,

 

I am optimizing an aircraft engine bracket (see image) and I would like to apply a (one horizontal and one vertical) load to the upper openings (indicated).

It is a point load that should be applied to the middle of these openings since there is some kind of bolt carrying the load in real life. Applying a load to the centre of the opening and so 'air' obviously is impossible. Anyone any idea how to apply the load or linkt the centre of the opening to the structure?

 

thank you!

image.png.abf13e87cdfff5df32b86e858672cc38.png

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Answers

  • Simon Križnik
    Simon Križnik Altair Community Member
    edited March 2020

    Hi,

     

    it is common practice to create a rigid (RBE2) spider and apply the load to the independent node. 



    In general, it is best not to apply loads and displacements directly to design spaces, as this often leads to incorrect results. Instead, you should split the part into design and non-design spaces, and apply loads and displacements to the non-design spaces.

  • ElineH
    ElineH Altair Community Member
    edited March 2020

    Hi Simon

     

    Thank you, this was already very helpfull!

     

    About the design and non-design spaces: I wanted to do that but I dont know how. The geometry is a loaded STEP-file and I cannot select just a part to be meshed as non-design region and another as design region since OptiStruct always selects the whole geometry. Any tips?

  • Simon Križnik
    Simon Križnik Altair Community Member
    edited March 2020

    Glad to help.

     

    You need to split the geometry into design & non-design components using geometry>solid edit>trim with nodes, lines or plane/surf.



     

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