Contacts between Ribs and Spars

Myrto_Macmillan_04

Hello there!

I have an issue with the modeling of contact between ribs and spars. From the CAD model we have extracted the midsurfaces of both ribs and spars, in order to use 2D (Shell) elements and then apply the correct thickness.

I wanted to avoid adding non-linearities to the model (contacts). However, with stitch or merge nodes, the geometry would be altered. Shown with enabled 3D Representation.

Then, we thought of utilising duplicate elements (duplicate elements of one row of elements of ribs, copied to the spars), yet when checking if the contact is valid with ‘unmask adjacent’ (Control + J), the contact could not be seen. Are duplicates only used when the number of elements are parallel (and not perpendicular) to one another.

My last resort was utilising RB3s, as shown in the Figure below. I could really benefit from your expertise in the field. If none of the methods discussed are optimal, I could opt for 3D Mesh and then add contacts, but I assume there is a more efficient way.

Thank you in advance!

Best regards,

Myrto

Jason_Craanen

The modeling is really up to what your needs are.

I have typically stitched or merged these types of plates together.

You could also use edge to surf tied contact as this would not be nonlinear.

RBEs are also an acceptable way to attach parts.

So really any of those should be fine.