A gap element is an element created in a space between two nodes, or between a node and an element, of a model where contact may occur. Use a gap element when you want to impose a nonlinear constraint on a model; this constraint will limit the amount of movement possible during analysis. Gap elements have property pointers.
Gap elements are element config 70 and are displayed as a line between two nodes with GAP written at the centroid of the element.
Gaps can translate to CGAP or CGAPG elements in
OptiStruct, CGAP element in
Nastran or *GAP option in
Abaqus.
Create Subpanel
Use the Create subpanel to create new gap elements. Figure 1.
Option
Action
from node
Select the elements'
starting node.
to node
Select the elements'
ending node.
orient vector / no
vector
Choose between an
orient vector collector, which defines the element orientation,
or no vector.
Orientation is only necessary when the element
nodes are coincident.
property =
Select the property
collector which the new elements should point.
elem types =
Select the element
type.
Update Subpanel
Use the Update subpanel to alter the characteristics of existing gap elements.
Option
Action
elems
Select the gap
elements to alter.
orient vector / no
vector
Choose between an
orient vector collector, which defines the element orientation,
or no vector (in which case the element is oriented by the from
and to nodes).
property =
Select the property
collector which the new elements should point.
