You can use symmetry to model a portion of the model instead of the full model. The results on the un-modeled portions are deducted from the modeled portion. When appropriate, taking advantage of symmetry can help you reduce the size of the problem and obtain more accurate results.
The procedures to apply the symmetry restraint type to solid meshes and shell meshes using mid-surface are identical.
Symmetry requires that geometry, restraints, loads, and material properties are symmetrical. In general, using symmetry is not recommended for buckling and frequency studies.
| Attribute
|
Value
|
|---|
| DOFs restrained for solid meshes
|
1 translation
|
| DOFs restrained for shell meshes
|
1 translation and 2 rotations
|
| Possible DOFs for trusses
|
3 translations
|
| 3D symbol
|
 |
 |
| solid mesh
|
shell mesh
|
|
| Selectable entities
|
Flat faces and shell edges of symmetry. Edges must be planar. You can select entities from up to three orthogonal planes. |
| Translations
|
The program automatically applies the translation and rotation conditions on selected faces and selected edges (for shells only).
|
| Rotations (for shells only)
|