Module 3

Coupling and Constraint Equations

3. Coupling & Constraint Equations

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

Just as DOF constraints allow you to constrain certain nodes in the model, coupling and constraint equations allow you to relate the motion of one node to another. In this chapter, we will discuss when and how to couple nodes or write constraint equations among them. Topics covered:
A. Coupling
B. Constraint Equations C. Workshop

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Coupling & Constraint Equations

A. Coupling

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

Coupling is a way to force a set of nodes to have the same DOF value.
Similar to a constraint, except that the DOF value is usually calculated by the solver rather than user-specified. Example: If you couple nodes 1 and 2 in the UX direction, the solver will calculate UX for node 1 and simply assign the same UX value to node 2.

A coupled set is a group of nodes coupled in one direction (i.e, one degree of freedom).
You can define any number of coupled sets in a model, but do not include the same DOF in more than one coupled set.

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Coupling & Constraint Equations

...Coupling
Common applications: Enforcing symmetry

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

Frictionless interfaces
Pin joints

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Coupling & Constraint Equations

...Coupling
Enforcing Symmetry

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

Coupled DOF are often used to enforce translational or rotational symmetry. This ensures that plane sections remain plane. For example:
To model one sector of a disc (cyclic symmetry), couple the node pairs on the two symmetry edges in all DOF. To model a half tooth of a comb-type model (translational symmetry), couple the nodes on one edge in all DOF.

Symmetry BC on this edge

Couple these nodes in all DOF

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Coupling & Constraint Equations

...Coupling
Frictionless interfaces

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

A contact surface can be simulated using coupled DOF if all of the following are true:
The surfaces are known to remain in contact The analysis is geometrically linear (small deflections) Friction is to be neglected The node pattern is the same on both surfaces

To do this, couple each pair of coincident nodes in the normal direction.

Couple each node pair in UY Y X

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Coupling & Constraint Equations

...Coupling
Pin joints

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

Coupling can be used to simulate pin joints such as hinges and universal joints. This is done by means of a moment release: coupling translational DOF at a joint and leaving the rotational DOF uncoupled.

For example, joint A below will be a hinge if the coincident nodes at A are coupled in UX and UY, leaving ROTZ uncoupled.
A
Coincident nodes, shown separated for clarity.

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Coupling & Constraint Equations

...Coupling
How to create coupled sets There are several ways to do this. The one you choose depends on the application. To couple a set of nodes in a direction:
Select the desired set. Then use CP command or Preprocessor > Coupling / Ceqn > Couple DOFs. For example, cp,,ux,all couples all selected nodes in the UX direction.

Training Manual

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INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

Coupling & Constraint Equations

...Coupling
To couple coincident pairs of nodes:
First make sure all nodes to be coupled are selected. Then use CPINTF command or Preprocessor > Coupling / Ceqn > Coincident Nodes. For example, cpintf,uy

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

couples all coincident nodes (within a default tolerance of 0.0001, csys dependent) in UY.

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Coupling & Constraint Equations

...Coupling
To couple node pairs that are offset by a distance, such as for cyclic symmetry:
First make sure all nodes to be coupled are selected.

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

Then use CPCYC command or Preprocessor > Coupling / Ceqn > Offset Nodes.
For example, cpcyc,all,,1, 0,30,0 couples nodes with a 30 offset in all DOF (Note: Global cylindrical coordinate system in KCN field).

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Coupling & Constraint Equations

...Coupling
Some points to keep in mind:

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

The DOF directions (UX, UY, etc.) in a coupled set are in the nodal coordinate system. The solver retains the first DOF in the coupled set as the prime DOF and eliminates the rest. Forces applied on coupled nodes (in the coupled DOF direction) are summed and applied at the prime node.

Constraints in the coupled DOF direction should only be applied to the prime node.

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Coupling & Constraint Equations

...Coupling
Demo:
Resume sector.db and solve (no coupled DOF)

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

Set RSYS=1 and plot SXY. Notice beam behavior because of no coupling.
Show expanded plot (using toolbar button EXPAND12), then turn off expansion Switch to PREP7 and couple node pairs using CPCYC (Coupling/Ceqn > Offset Nodes > KCN = 1, DY = 30) Solve Set RSYS=1 and plot SXY Show expanded plot Change DSCALE=1, replot

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Coupling & Constraint Equations

B. Constraint Equations
A constraint equation (CE) defines a linear relationship between nodal degrees of freedom.

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

If you couple two DOFs, their relationship is simply UX1 = UX2. CE is a more general form of coupling and allows you to write an equation such as UX1 + 3.5*UX2 = 10.0.

You can define any number of CEs in a model.

Also, a CE can have any number of nodes and any combination of DOFs. Its general form is:
Coef1 * DOF1 + Coef2 * DOF2 + Coef3 * DOF3 + ... = Constant

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Coupling & Constraint Equations

...Constraint Equations
Common applications: Connecting dissimilar meshes

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

Connecting dissimilar element types

Creating rigid regions Providing Interference fits

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Coupling & Constraint Equations

...Constraint Equations
Connecting dissimilar meshes

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

If two meshed objects meet at a surface but their node patterns are not the same, you can create CEs to connect them. Easiest way to do this is with the CEINTF command (Preprocessor > Coupling/Ceqn > Adjacent Regions).
Requires nodes from one mesh (usually the finer mesh) and elements from the other mesh to be selected first. Automatically calculates all necessary coefficients and constants. For solid elements to solid elements, 2-D or 3-D.

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Coupling & Constraint Equations

...Constraint Equations
Connecting dissimilar element types

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

If you need to connect element types with different DOF sets, you may need to write CEs to transfer loads from one to the other:
beams to solids or beams perpendicular to shells shells to solids etc.

The CE command (Preprocessor > Coupling/Ceqn > Constraint Eqn) is typically used for such cases.

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Coupling & Constraint Equations

...Constraint Equations
Creating rigid regions

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

CEs are often used to lump together portions of the model into rigid regions. Applying the load to one node (the prime node) will transfer appropriate loads to all other nodes in the rigid region. Use the CERIG command (or Preprocessor > Coupling/Ceqn > Rigid Region).

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Coupling & Constraint Equations

...Constraint Equations
Providing Interference fits

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

Similar to contact coupling, but allows interference or gap between 2 surfaces. Typical equation:
0.01 = UX (node 51) - UX (node 251)

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Coupling & Constraint Equations

C. Workshop
This workshop consists of three problems:
W2A. Impeller Blade

Training Manual

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part 2

W2B. Turbine Blade

W2C. Swaybar

Please refer to your Workshop Supplement for instructions.

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