Issue with simple bolted conection

[12521504XJQK]

Hi all,

I am not familiar with bolted connection FEAs and I nned to understand them for my dissertation as I am doing an FEA on a tank spreader beam. I have also never run a FEA with contacts either, so am unsure with them as well.

Basically, my spreader beam consists of a universal column with two lifting lugs and 4 stiffeners, with an 8 bolt connection to the underside of beam (4 at each end).

I have attached my model + error file, which has a multitude of errors and I don't know whats causing them. If you are able to help, I would be eternally grateful as I am struggling to understand what I've done wrong.

Many thanks,

Simeon

[dsouzasujay]

Hi @12521504XJQK ,

It’s likely that Bolt Connectors (or Rigid Body Connectors) are being applied to the same face or edge that’s also selected for a constraint. A possible workaround is to switch to the Simplify workspace and split the face around the bolt holes.

I’ll try to create a short video demonstrating this and attach it in my next reply.

[dsouzasujay · Accepted solution]

Here’s the video for reference.

In the process, I also tried mirroring the split face, but that didn’t work, please feel free to ignore that part.

[12521504XJQK]

Thank you so much, Sujay, for taking the time to help me out

[dsouzasujay]

@12521504XJQK  My pleasure! I’m glad I could help. Please feel free to reach out if you have any other questions.

[12521504XJQK]

Hi Sujay,

I've remodelled the lifting beam and I'm getting the same issues. I have modelled each component individually and bonded them together as before, bar the two plates that represent the bolted connection on the tanks being lifted.

The changes you made allowed me to do the simulation but they are not true to the real life lifting situation, so the stress on the holes is coming out astronomically high. Is there a mistake I'm making with the bolted connection set up or the contact settings, as I can't seem to make my simulation run properly. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards,

Simeon

[dsouzasujay · Accepted solution]

Hi @12521504XJQK ,

The data you have shared, I didnt see you have split the faces around the holes as shown in the video.

Connectors and Fixed constraints cant be applied at the same place.

Please use this file as reference

[12521504XJQK]

Thanks again, Sujay.

I'm very grateful for your help.

Kind regards,

Simeon