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Force/Torque PropertyManager

The Force/Torque PropertyManager applies forces, moments, or torques with uniform distribution to faces, edges, reference points, vertices and beams in any direction for use in structural studies.

To access the Force/Torque PropertyManager, do one of the following:
  • Click the down arrow icon_down_arrow.gif on External Loads tool_External_Loads.gif (Simulation CommandManager) and select Force tool_loads_force.gif.
  • In the Simulation study tree, right-click External Loads icon_external_loads.gif, and select Force icon_force.gif or Torque icon_torque.

Type

Sets the type of force to apply. To apply force or moment to beams, see the topic Force/Torque PropertyManager (for Beams).

PM_force.gif Force
PM_torque.gif Torque
PM_faces_edges_vertices.gif
  • If you choose Force and select Normal, you can select faces and shell edges.
  • If you choose Force and select Selected direction, you can select faces, edges, vertices, or reference points for force. The reference points must lie within the model’s boundary.
  • If you choose Torque, you can select faces only.
PM_faces_edges_plane.gif Face, Edge, Plane, Axis for Direction Select an entity to specify the direction of the selected load. Valid entities depend on the load type as follows:
  • If you right-click External Loads and select Force, you can select a face, edge, plane or axis for direction.
  • If you right-click External Loads and select Torque, you can select a reference axis, an edge, or a cylindrical face.
In an assembly, you can use reference geometry from the assembly or the components (parts and sub-assemblies) of the assembly.

PM_units.gif Units Sets the units that will be used to enter numerical values of the force/moment/torque. Available units are: SI, English (IPS), and Metric (G).

Force/Normal Force/Torque

Sets values for the force components, normal force, or torque.

  Selected direction If you choose Selected direction, your input depends on the selected entity for direction as follows:
A plane or a face
Specify at least one of the following components:
  • Along Plane Dir 1 PM_along_plane_dir1.gif. Sets the value of the force component along Dir 1 of the plane or face.
  • Along Plane Dir 2 PM_along_plane_dir2.gif. Sets the value of the force component along Dir 2 of the plane or face.
  • Normal to plane PM_normal_to_plane.gif. Sets the value of the force component normal to the plane or face
An axis
Specify at least one of the following components:
  • Radial PM_radial.gif. Sets the value of the force component in the radial direction.
  • Circumferential PM_circumferential.gif. Sets the value of the force component in the circumferential direction.
  • Axial PM_axial.gif. Sets the value of the force component along the axis.
An edge
Specify the following component:
  • Along Edge PM_along_edge.gif. Sets the value of the force along the selected edge. To reverse the direction of the force, enter a negative value.
  Normal If you select Normal, specify the value of the force.
PM_torque.gif Torque If you select Torque PM_torque.gif, specify the value of the torque.
If you apply a torque to a face using as a reference for direction an axis that is not the axis of symmetry (or it is not parallel to the plane of symmetry), an unbalanced resultant force may appear in the results. Check that the magnitude of the unbalanced resultant force is small enough, so that it can be neglected.
  Per item Applies the force or torque value per selected entity.
  Total Divides the force or torque among selected entities. Applies only when selected entities are of the same type.

Variation with Time

For linear and nonlinear dynamic studies, you can define a time-dependent force.

  Linear Uses a default linear time curve which passes through the points (0,0) and (tend, Pvalue). Where Pvalue is the pressure specified in the Pressure value box and tend is the End time specified on the Solution tab of the Nonlinear dialog box.
  Curve Uses a user-defined time curve. Click Edit to define or import a time curve. The pressure at any time is calculated by multiplying the pressure value specified above by the Y value of the time curve.
  Graph Displays the actual time-dependent pressure.

Nonuniform Distribution

Sets options for nonuniform force applied to faces or shell edges.
Check the component's box to specify nonuniform distribution.
PM_force_coordinate_system.gif Select a Coordinate System Select a coordinate system to define the nonuniform force.
  Equation Coefficients Sets the polynomial coefficients which describe the spatial variation of the force in the selected coordinate system.
When using Equation Coefficients, the coefficients should be specified based on the units of X and Y as shown in the following table:
Selected Unit System Units of X and Y Units of "Value"
SI m (meters) N (Newtons)
English (IPS) in (inch) lb (pounds)
Metric (G) cm (centimeters) kgf (Kilogram force)

Symbol Settings

Sets the color and size of force/torque symbols

  Edit color Select a color for the pressure symbols from the color palette.
PM_symbol_size.gif Symbol size Use the spin arrows to change the size of the pressure symbols.
  Show preview Turns on/off the display of pressure symbols.

Notes:

The nonuniform force distribution is defined by a reference coordinate system and the associated coefficients of a second-order polynomial.

F(X,Y) = A + B*X + C*Y + D*X*Y + E*X^2 + F*Y^2

Where:

F(X,Y) = relative magnitude of force applied at a point with coordinates x and y in the selected coordinate system

X, Y = coordinates of the point relative to the selected coordinate system

A, B, C, D, E, and F are polynomial coefficients

* indicates multiplication

The value you enter in the force value field is the force actually applied to the selected entities, if the force doesn't reverse direction on the geometric entities to which it is applied. If the force reverses direction along a geometric entity (face or edge), the applied force value is equal to the summation of the absolute values of the forces applied to all nodes on the face or edge.

Contrary to the application of variable pressure, the A, B, C, D, E, and F polynomial coefficients are only used to define the relative distribution of the force. Multiplying all the coefficients by an arbitrary value, will not change the distribution or the intensity of the force.

Parent topic: Force


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