How to simulate the Bridge Bearing Effect in ROBOT FEM

[sindhu.vaddagerenagaraja]

Hi Everyone, 

I am trying to model a typical bridge and would like to incorporate the effect of bearings in my FEM model. Currently, I am attempting to simulate the bearings using rigid links with appropriate DOF releases at the connecting node. However, since the deck is modeled using shell elements, the last set of rigid links disappears every time I run the analysis. This happens because the mesh is regenerated, and the associated nodes are deleted.

Is there an alternative or more stable method for simulating the bearing effects in the model—preferably one that does not get lost during remeshing of the shell elements?

Please let me know if there is a better way of simulating its effect.

@Artur.Kosakowski  
Thank You
Sindhu

[DennisVDijk]

hello @sindhu.vaddagerenagaraja,

first you have to model the nodes that you want to use for the rigid links.

than you can generate the mesh.

example model is attached.

[sindhu.vaddagerenagaraja]

Checked the attached model, but I need to add the rigid links right at the panel edge,so even if I create a node - it disappears while analysing. However, if a create a node slightly away from the edge and connect it using rigid links, it doesn't disappear. Not sure why it happens with edge nodes