Gaps Panel - HyperMesh

Use the Gaps panel to create gap elements.

Location: 1D page

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.
elem types = Select the element type.