Function
Create or delete general link elements, each linking two nodes.
Call
From the Main Menu select [Boundary] > [Link] > [General Link] > [General Link]
Input
Click the [...] button to the right of General Link to display General Link Table.
Boundary Group Name
Select a boundary group to which the entered boundary condition will be assigned. Select Default if the Group selection is unnecessary. To create new or modify predefined Boundary Groups Click the [...] button to the right to prompt the "Define Boundary Group" dialog box.
Option
Add/Replace : Select to add new or replace previously entered general link elements individually linking two nodes.
Delete : Select to delete previously entered general link elements individually linking two nodes.
General Link Data
General Link Property: Assign the property of general link element.
Name : Assign a name of General Link Property. Click the [...] button to the right to prompt the "General Link Property" dialog box to create or modify General Link Property.
Type : The Type of selected "General Link Property" is displayed.
Inelastic Hinge Property
Name : The Name of selected Inelastic Hinge Property is displayed.
Reference Coordinate System : Define a coordinate system in which the placement directions of general link elements can be defined in 3-D space.
Element : Placement direction is determined on the basis of element coordinate system.
Input Method :
Beta Angle : Enter a Beta Angle for the general link element (select 0, 90, 180).
Ref. Point : Enter a reference point in 3-D space.
Ref. Vector : Enter a directional vector in 3-D space.
Global : Placement direction is determined on the basis of global coordinate system.
Input Method :
Angle : Direction is determined by orientation angles in each direction in 3-D space (select 0, 45, 90, 180).
3Points : Direction is determined by 3 points in 3-D space.
Vector : Direction is determined by 2 vectors (V1, V2) in 3-D space.
2 Nodes
Enter the two nodes defining the location of a nonlinear link element. The mouse editor can also select the nodes on the model. First, click the entry field and change the color to pale green, and then select the nodes on the screen.
Description
Enter a brief description for the properties.
Copy Nonlinear Link
A number of nonlinear link elements may be simultaneously created in Nonlinear Link Data by copying the specified condition.
Node Inc.
Using the increment of node numbers may simultaneously create a number of nonlinear link elements.
Number of Times : Number of repetitions
Node Increment : Node number increment
Distance
Using the increment of node numbers may simultaneously create a number of nonlinear link elements.
Axis : Axis of copy direction
Distances : Copy distances