Transferring forces between surface meshes

Altair Forum User

Dear community,

 

another question from an Optistruct beginner!

Let's say I have 3 square surface directly above each other with a distance of about 10mm. Each surface is inidivudually 2D meshed.
Now I apply two forces, one to the top surface, one to the bottom surface, both parallel but opposing each other.

 

It basically looks like this:

 

<---- ------------------------------
        ------------------------------
        ------------------------------ ---->

Imagine as if it was a composite part and each surface respresents one ply. I would like to transfer these loads through these plies. (I am aware that I am missing an SPC and that there are easier ways of representing composite parts)

 

Not to the question: How can I 'connect' the elements one by one to the elements of the next upper surface so that loads will be transferred?
I tried using RBE2 und using two faces, but two problems arise: 1. I cannot analyse the part anymore (Error codes that Google wont give me an answer for) 2. The resulting connection looks like a spider-web, so the loads would be transferred to the wrong elements of the adjacent surface.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Regards,
Lenny
 

Altair Forum User

Hi @Lenny

 

Try FREEZE contact. 

 

What is the error you had with RBEs?

Altair Forum User

Hello,

 

Thanks, this seems to work! I have been playing with the FREEZE contacts all morning to understand their behaviour.

Does the FREEZE contact only transfer loads from master to slave and not back? I don't quite yet understand how contacts work.

Altair Forum User

@Lenny

 

Can you explain what do you mean by back to master from slave?