Connector elements
Connector elements are fictitious elements with zero volume but nonzero stiffness, or thermal conductivity, respectively. Nodes located at the connection point must be duplicated.
Each connector element is described in the name.i1 file using one CN batch:
CN T INDF E IE IE$_1$ ID$_1$ IE$_2$ ID$_2$
| $\mathtt{INDF}$ | The identification number of the connection type. | |
|---|---|---|
| $=-2$ | edge connection, see the Reference Manual | |
| $=-3$ | face connection, see the Reference Manual | |
| $=-4$ | rigid connection, see the Reference Manual | |
| $=-5$ | hinged connection, see the Reference Manual | |
| $\mathtt{IE}$ | The number of the connector element. | |
| $\mathtt{IE}_1$ | The number of the semi-loof element. | |
| $\mathtt{ID}_1$ | The specification of the attachment location in the semi-loof element. | |
| $\mathtt{IE}_2$ | The number of the connected element. | |
| $\mathtt{ID}_2$ | The specification of the attachment location in the connected element. | |
Edge connection
It is used to attach a semi-loof element to the edge of an isoparametric element. The number of the connector element must be higher than the number of the connected semi-loof element. The connected edge of a pentahedron or hexahedron must be part of a face that is quadrilateral and fully populated with eight nodes.
$\mathtt{ID}_1,\mathtt{ID}_2$ specify the local edge numbers $\mathtt{IH}_1,\mathtt{IH}_2$.
Face connection
It is used to attach a semi-loof element to the face of an isoparametric element. The number of the connector element must be higher than the number of the connected semi-loof element. The connected face of a pentahedron or hexahedron must be quadrilateral and fully populated with eight nodes.
$\mathtt{ID}_1$ specifies the local edge number $\mathtt{IH}_1$ of the semi-loof element, and $\mathtt{ID}_2$ specifies the local face number $\mathtt{IS}_2$ of the isoparametric element.
Rigid connection
It is used for the rigid attachment (weld) of a beam element to a semi-loof element. Since beam elements must not be present in meshes for heat transfer computations, this type of connector element must not occur there either.
$\mathtt{ID}_1,\mathtt{ID}_2$ specify the global numbers of the connected nodes $\mathtt{IN}_1,\mathtt{IN}_2$.
Hinged connection
It is used for the movable attachment (joint) of a beam element to a semi-loof element. Since beam elements must not be present in meshes for heat transfer computations, this type of connector element must not occur there either.
$\mathtt{ID}_1,\mathtt{ID}_2$ specify the global numbers of the connected nodes $\mathtt{IN}_1,\mathtt{IN}_2$.