FE Joints Panel

Joint elements are config 22 and are displayed with lines between the appropriate nodes and the letter J between nodes 1 and 3 of the element. The type of a joint element controls the number of nodes contained in the element. The type also controls the orientation information formats available. The type of an element CANNOT be changed or selected using the Element Types panel.

Changing Types

Changing a spherical joint that uses orientation nodes to any other joint type causes the orientation value to be set to none and the nodes eliminated from the element, except in the case detailed below.

Changing a joint type to another that requires the same number of nodes does not change the nodes.

Changing a joint type to another that requires less nodes cause the extra nodes to be removed from the element.

Changing a joint type to another that requires more nodes is possible under certain circumstances.

• The nodes option is also selected, and the appropriate nodes are chosen. For example, to convert a 4-noded joint to a 6-noded joint, nodes 5 and 6 must be specified.
• A 2-noded joint with orientation nodes is being converted to a 4-noded joint. In this case the orientation nodes are used in the new element.

Changing Nodes

When an element's nodes are being updated, only the nodes specified are replaced. The other are left unchanged. For example, changing a 6-noded joint's nodes and picking nodes 2 and 6 leaves nodes 1, 3, 4, and 5 the same. Nodes 2 and 6 are then updated.

Changing Properties

Properties are updated for all selected elements if the box is checked.

Changing Orientation

Changing the orientation of non-spherical joints to nodes causes the update operation to fail for that joint. The failed joint is then placed in the saved mark.