Suspension modell - bellcrank

Hi,

presently I am trying to simulate a cfrp monocoque and to my shell-model I also want to include the whole suspension – and my main problem is the idealization of the bellcrank!

I have modelled the control arms via 1d-CROD elements, connected via RBE2 elements to the shell model of the monocoque – and the wheel support is also made of RBE2s.

But as I said – my problem is the bellcrank. Currently it is a CROD-triangle with connected CROD-pull-rod and CELAS1-spring. With this model basically it works – but the problem is, that it has no defined rotational axis and therefore the whole bellcrank (better CROD-triangle) deforms uncontrolled and not planar, like it should (just rotation around the rocker).

Perhaps, someone knows a proper solution for my problem??

And also a question to the CROD elems: I have defined CROD-properties with a large Young's Modulus to get 'almost' stiff elements – but it is defnintly not the most elegant way! I also tried RRODs...but I just got errors...and no solution!

Best Regards

Michael Sams

Pics: http://files.engineering.com/getfile.aspx?folder=cde0154e-0c57-4af2-9eb3-8ae85720377a&file=slide1.zip