Applying a force to a point in simulation

[Anonymous]

This might be an obvious one, but I can't seem to find any information on it. I'm a bit of a simulation newbie so I'm not quite sure where to look.

I have a structure which is basically a pipe (a hollow cylinder), and I'd like to apply a force from the outside exactly opposite to the surface normal at a distance 33% from one end. However, when I use the load tool, it only ever places the force exactly in the centre of the face I select. Is it possible to put a load at an arbitrary location? In particular, at a location where I have placed a point in the modelling tool ? When I change to simulation, all of my points disappear. 

Thanks,

Jeremy

[innovatenate]

It sounds like you are looking for the remote force command in the Load drop down. Using the load, you can specify the geometry to apply the force to and the XYZ location of the force. The resulting behavior will apply a force + moment couple to the selected geometry. 

You should be wary of applying a force to a point since the result may cause a stress singularity, or infinite stress. 

If σ = F/A, and A=0, then σ = ∞

I hope that helps. Please let me know if you have any questions. 

Thanks,

[wellerju]

Can you set a remote force on a construction point so if you have 10+ loadcases with a load at the same point but different magnitudes and directions for each it is easy to set up rather then manually typing out the x/y/z coords?

[henderh]

Hi @wellerju,

That's correct. You'll have to copy > paste > edit the Remote Force per load case. In general, Loads, Constraints, and Connectors are not aware of construction geometry (one exception is construction geometery being selectable as a Direction Reference for a Global Load).

Best regards,

ps: For the original poster's question, we can use the Limit Target option (offered in Angle and Vector Direction Types) in a Force load to define the Target as a portion of the selected face, via a circular area.