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
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
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. |