Coupling and Constraint Equations

Module 3
Coupling and
Constraint Equations
3. Coupling & Constraint Equations
Training Manual
Just as DOF constraints allow you to constrain certain nodes

in the model, coupling and constraint equations allow you to
relate the motion of one node to another.
In this chapter, we will discuss when and how to couple

nodes or write constraint equations among them.
Topics covered:
A. Coupling
B. Constraint Equations
C. Workshop
INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part

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Coupling & Constraint Equations
A. Coupling
Coupling is a way to force a set of nodes to have the same

DOF value.
Similar to a constraint, except that the DOF value is usually
calculated by the solver rather than user-specified.
Example: If you couple nodes 1 and 2 in the UX direction, the
solver will calculate UX for node 1 and simply assign the same
UX value to node 2.
A coupled set is a group of nodes coupled in one direction

(i.e, one degree of freedom).
You can define any number of coupled sets in a model, but

do not include the same DOF in more than one coupled set.

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...Coupling
Enforcing symmetry
Frictionless interfaces
Pin joints

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Common applications:
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...Coupling
Training Manual
Coupled DOF are often used to enforce translational or rotational

symmetry. This ensures that plane sections remain plane. For
example:
To model one sector of a disc (cyclic symmetry), couple the node pairs
on the two symmetry edges in all DOF.
To model a half tooth of a comb-type model (translational symmetry),
couple the nodes on one edge in all DOF.
Symmetry BC
on this edge
Couple these
nodes in all DOF

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Enforcing Symmetry
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...Coupling
Training Manual
A contact surface can be simulated using coupled DOF if all of the

following are true:
The surfaces are known to remain in contact
The analysis is geometrically linear (small deflections)
Friction is to be neglected
The node pattern is the same on both surfaces
To do this, couple each pair of coincident nodes in the normal

direction.
Couple each
node pair in UY
Y
X

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Frictionless interfaces
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...Coupling
Training Manual
Coupling can be used to simulate pin joints such as hinges

and universal joints.
This is done by means of a moment release: coupling
translational DOF at a joint and leaving the rotational DOF
uncoupled.
For example, joint A below will be a hinge if the coincident
nodes at A are coupled in UX and UY, leaving ROTZ
uncoupled.
A
Coincident nodes, shown
separated for clarity.

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Pin joints
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...Coupling
There are several ways to do this. The one you choose

depends on the application.
To couple a set of nodes in a direction:

Select the desired set.
Then use CP command or Preprocessor > Coupling / Ceqn >
Couple DOFs.
For example, cp,,ux,all couples all selected nodes in the UX
direction.

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How to create coupled sets
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...Coupling
To couple coincident pairs of nodes:
First make sure all nodes to be coupled are selected.
Then use CPINTF command or Preprocessor > Coupling / Ceqn > Coincident
Nodes.
For example,
cpintf,uy
couples all coincident nodes (within a default tolerance of 0.0001, csys
dependent) in UY.

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...Coupling
To couple node pairs that are offset by a distance, such as for cyclic
symmetry:
First make sure all nodes to be coupled are selected.
Then use CPCYC command or Preprocessor > Coupling / Ceqn > Offset Nodes.
For example,
cpcyc,all,,1, 0,30,0
couples nodes with a 30 offset in all DOF (Note: Global cylindrical coordinate
system in KCN field).

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...Coupling
Some points to keep in mind:
The DOF directions (UX, UY, etc.) in a coupled set are in the
nodal coordinate system.
The solver retains the first DOF in the coupled set as the prime
DOF and eliminates the rest.
Forces applied on coupled nodes (in the coupled DOF direction)
are summed and applied at the prime node.
Constraints in the coupled DOF direction should only be applied
to the prime node.

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Training Manual
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...Coupling
Demo:
Resume sector.db and solve (no coupled DOF)
Set RSYS=1 and plot SXY. Notice beam behavior because of

no coupling.
Show expanded plot (using toolbar button EXPAND12), then turn
off expansion
Switch to PREP7 and couple node pairs using CPCYC
(Coupling/Ceqn > Offset Nodes > KCN = 1, DY = 30)
Solve
Set RSYS=1 and plot SXY
Show expanded plot
Change DSCALE=1, replot

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B. Constraint Equations
A constraint equation (CE) defines a linear relationship
between nodal degrees of freedom.
If you couple two DOFs, their relationship is simply UX1 = UX2.

CE is a more general form of coupling and allows you to write an
equation such as UX1 + 3.5*UX2 = 10.0.
You can define any number of CEs in a model.
Also, a CE can have any number of nodes and any

combination of DOFs. Its general form is:
Coef1 * DOF1 + Coef2 * DOF2 + Coef3 * DOF3 + ... = Constant
*Abaqus use constraints>equation

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...Constraint Equations
Connecting dissimilar meshes
Connecting dissimilar element types
Creating rigid regions
Providing Interference fits

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Common applications:
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Training Manual
If two meshed objects meet at a surface but their node patterns are
not the same, you can create CEs to connect them.
Easiest way to do this is with the CEINTF command (Preprocessor >

Coupling/Ceqn > Adjacent Regions).
Requires nodes from one mesh
(usually the finer mesh) and elements
from the other mesh to be selected
first.
Automatically calculates all necessary
coefficients and constants.
For solid elements to solid elements,
2-D or 3-D.

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Connecting dissimilar meshes
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Training Manual
If you need to connect element types with different DOF sets, you
may need to write CEs to transfer loads from one to the other:
beams to solids or beams perpendicular to shells
shells to solids
etc.
The CE command (Preprocessor > Coupling/Ceqn > Constraint Eqn) is

typically used for such cases.

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Connecting dissimilar element types
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Training Manual
CEs are often used to lump together portions of the model

into rigid regions.
Applying the load to one node (the prime node) will transfer
appropriate loads to all other nodes in the rigid region.
Use the CERIG command (or Preprocessor > Coupling/Ceqn >

Rigid Region).

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Creating rigid regions
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Training Manual
Similar to contact coupling, but allows interference or gap

between 2 surfaces.
Typical equation:
0.01 = UX (node 51) - UX (node 251)

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Providing Interference fits
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C. Workshop
This workshop consists of three problems:
W2A. Impeller Blade
W2B. Turbine Blade
W2C. Swaybar
Please refer to your Workshop Supplement for instructions.

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Training Manual
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Coupling and Constraint Equations

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Module 3

3. Coupling & Constraint Equations

Just as DOF constraints allow you to constrain certain nodes

In this chapter, we will discuss when and how to couple

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part

October 30, 2001

Coupling & Constraint Equations

Coupling is a way to force a set of nodes to have the same

A coupled set is a group of nodes coupled in one direction

You can define any number of coupled sets in a model, but

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part

October 30, 2001

Coupling & Constraint Equations

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part

October 30, 2001

Coupling & Constraint Equations

Coupled DOF are often used to enforce translational or rotational

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part

October 30, 2001

Coupling & Constraint Equations

A contact surface can be simulated using coupled DOF if all of the

To do this, couple each pair of coincident nodes in the normal

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part

October 30, 2001

Coupling & Constraint Equations

Coupling can be used to simulate pin joints such as hinges

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part

October 30, 2001

Coupling & Constraint Equations

There are several ways to do this. The one you choose

To couple a set of nodes in a direction:

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part

How to create coupled sets

October 30, 2001

Coupling & Constraint Equations

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part

October 30, 2001

Coupling & Constraint Equations

First make sure all nodes to be coupled are selected.

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part

October 30, 2001

Coupling & Constraint Equations

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part

October 30, 2001

Coupling & Constraint Equations

Set RSYS=1 and plot SXY. Notice beam behavior because of

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part

October 30, 2001

Coupling & Constraint Equations

If you couple two DOFs, their relationship is simply UX1 = UX2.

You can define any number of CEs in a model.

Also, a CE can have any number of nodes and any

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part

October 30, 2001

Coupling & Constraint Equations

Connecting dissimilar meshes

Connecting dissimilar element types

Creating rigid regions

Providing Interference fits

INTRODUCTION TO ANSYS 6.0 - Part

October 30, 2001

Coupling & Constraint Equations

Easiest way to do this is with the CEINTF command (Preprocessor >