# Nastran Connector Types

Supported Nastran connector types and property scripts.

Nastran sealing
Creates RBE3 elements for the head and CBUSH element for the body. The head elements project and connect to the nodes of the adjoining shell elements.
CFG nastran 5 sealing
*filter spot
rbe3 1 0
*body 0
spring 6 1
Nastran bush
Creates RBE2 elements for the head and CBUSH element for the body. The head elements project and connect to the nodes of the adjoining shell elements.
CFG nastran 6 bush
*filter spot
*body 0
spring 6 1
Nastran rbe3 (load transfer)
Creates RBE3 elements for the body. The degrees of freedom are constrained in the x, y, z for the dependant nodes.
CFG nastran 31 rbe3 (load transfer)
*filter spot
*style mpc 1
*body 0
rbe3 1 1 dofs=123
Nastran clip
Creates a single RBE2 element for the body. The element projects and connect to the nodes of the adjoining shell elements which form the hole and also the nodes which form the washer layer. The connector location can either be on the edge of the hole, center of the hole, midpoint in between the two holes or on the second row of nodes which form the washer layer.
CFG nastran 50 clip
*filter bolt
*style bolt 1
*body 0
rigidlink 1 2
Nastran bolt (washer 1) cbar
Creates RBE2 elements for the head and CBAR element for the body. The head elements project and connect to the nodes of the adjoining shell elements which form the hole and also the second row of nodes which form the washer layer. The connector location can either be on the edge of the hole, center of the hole, midpoint in between the two holes or on the second row of nodes which form the washer layer.
CFG nastran 51 bolt (washer 1) cbar
*filter bolt
*style bolt 0
*body 0
bar2 1
Nastran bolt (general)
Creates RBE2 elements for the head and the body. The head elements project and connect to the nodes of the adjoining shell elements which form the hole. The connector location can either be on the edge of the hole, center of the hole, midpoint in between the two holes or on the second row of nodes which form the washer layer.
CFG nastran 52 bolt (general)
*filter bolt
*style bolt 0
*body 0
rigid 1 1
Nastran bolt (CBAR)
Creates RBE2 elements for the head and CBAR element for the body. The head elements project and connect to the nodes of the adjoining shell elements which form the hole. The connector location can either be on the edge of the hole, center of the hole, midpoint in between the two holes or on the second row of nodes which form the washer layer.
CFG nastran 53 bolt (CBAR)
*filter bolt
*style bolt 0
rigid 1 1
*body 0
bar2 1 1
Nastran bolt (spider)
Creates a many individual RBE2 elements. The element projects and connect to the nodes of the adjoining shell elements which form the hole, the RBE2 elements are joined at the midpoint of the bolted connection. The connector location can either be on the edge of the hole, center of the hole, midpoint in between the two holes or on the second row of nodes which form the washer layer.
CFG nastran 54 bolt (spider)
*filter bolt
*style bolt 1
*body 0
rigid 1 1
Nastran bolt (washer 2)
Creates RBE2 elements for the head and the body. There are two individual RBE2 elements at the head of the connection, one to connect to the inner row of nodes, the other to connect to the washer layer nodes. The connector location can either be on the edge of the hole, center of the hole, midpoint in between the two holes or on the second row of nodes which form the washer layer.
CFG nastran 55 bolt (washer 2)
*filter bolt
*style bolt 0
*body 0
rigid 1 1
Nastran bolt (washer 2 alt)
Creates RBE2 elements for the head and the body. There are two individual RBE2 elements at the head of the connection, one to connect to the inner row of nodes, the other to connect to the washer layer nodes. The RBE2 head element that connects to the washer layer nodes only connects to every other node on the washer layer. The connector location can either be on the edge of the hole, center of the hole, midpoint in between the two holes or on the second row of nodes which form the washer layer.
CFG nastran 56 bolt (washer 2 alt)
*filter bolt
*style bolt 0
*body 0
rigid 1 1
cfg_nastran_56_bolt
Nastran bolt (washer 1)
Creates RBE2 elements for the head and body. The head elements project and connect to the nodes of the adjoining shell elements which form the hole and also the second row of nodes which form the washer layer. The connector location can either be on the edge of the hole, center of the hole, midpoint in between the two holes or on the second row of nodes which form the washer layer.
CFG nastran 57 bolt (washer 1)
*filter bolt
*style bolt 0
*body 0
rigid 1 1
cfg_nastran_57_bolt
Nastran bolt (washer 1 alt)
Creates RBE2 elements for the head and body. The head elements project and connect to the nodes of the adjoining shell elements which form the hole and also the second row of nodes which form the washer layer. The head only connects to every other node on the washer layer. The connector location can either be on the edge of the hole, center of the hole, midpoint in between the two holes or on the second row of nodes which form the washer layer.
CFG nastran 58 bolt (washer 1 alt)
*filter bolt
*style bolt 0
*body 0
rigid 1 1
cfg_nastran_58_bolt
Nastran hinge
Creates RBE2 elements for the head and the body. The head elements project and connect to the nodes of the adjoining shell elements which form the hole. The connector location can either be on the edge of the hole, center of the hole, midpoint in between the two holes or on the second row of nodes which form the washer layer. The degrees of freedom are constrained in the x, y, z, rot x, rot z for the dependant nodes.
This realization also uses the prop_hinge.tcl1 property script.
CFG nastran 59 hinge
*filter bolt
*style bolt 0
*body 0
rigid 1 1 dofs=12356
*post prop_hinge.tcl
cfg_nastran_59_hinge
Nastran bolt (cylinder rigid)
Creates an RBE2 element for the body as well as for the head elements.
See the mesh independent realization methods in the Bolt panel for further information on cylinder-type bolts.
This realization uses the prop_cylinder.tcl2 property script.
CFG nastran 60 bolt (cylinder rigid)
*filter bolt
*style bolt 4
*body 0
rigid 1 1
*post prop_cylinder.tcl
cfg_nastran_60_bolt_cylinder_rigid
Nastran bolt (cylinder bar)
Creates a CBEAM element for the body and RBE2 elements for the head elements.
See the mesh independent realization methods in the Bolt panel for further information on cylinder-type bolts.
This realization uses the prop_cylinder.tcl2 property script.
CFG nastran 61 bolt (cylinder bar)
*filter bolt
*style bolt 4
*body 0
bar2 2 1
*post prop_cylinder.tcl
cfg_nastran_61_bolt_cylinder_bar
Nastran acm (equivalenced-(T1+T2)/2)
Creates hexa element with RBE3 elements projecting and connecting to the surrounding shell elements. This realization uses the shell thickness to calculate the hexa offset from the shell elements. In the case where the model is a 3T connection, the acm (equivalenced-(T1+T2)/2) realization will join the hexa elements.
This realization also uses the prop_nastran_acm.tcl3 property script.
CFG nastran 69 acm (equivalenced-(T1+T2)/2)
*filter spot
*style acm 1
rbe3 1 0
*body 0
hex8 1 1
*post prop_nastran_acm.tcl
cfg_nastran_69_acm
Nastran acm (detached-(T1+T2)/2)
Creates hexa element with RBE3 elements projecting and connecting to the surrounding shell elements. This realization uses the shell thickness to calculate the hexa offset from the shell elements. In the case where the model is a 3T connection, the acm (detached-(T1+T2)/2) realization will not join the hexa elements.
This realization also uses the prop_nastran_acm.tcl3 property script.
CFG nastran 70 acm (detached-(T1+T2)/2)
*filter spot
*style acm 2
rbe3 1 0
*body 1
hex8 1 1
*post prop_nastran_acm.tcl
cfg_nastran_70_acm
Nastran acm (shell gap)
Creates hexa element with RBE3 elements projecting and connecting to the surrounding shell elements. This realization does not use the shell thickness to calculate the hexa offset, therefore the hexa will project and be touching the shell elements.
This realization also uses the prop_nastran_acm.tcl3 property script.
CFG nastran 71 acm (shell gap)
*filter spot
*style acm 3
rbe3 1 0
*body 0
hex8 1 1
*post prop_nastran_acm.tcl
cfg_nastran_71_acm
Nastran acm (shell gap + coating)
This realization creates one hexa cluster per connector and realizes a node to node connection to the linked shell meshes by adjusting it (shell coating). Different patterns are available. This is driven by the number of hexas. The appearance can be influenced via the diameter and the washer layer activation.
CFG nastran 72 acm (shell gap + coating)
*filter spot
*style acm 4
*body 0
hex8 1 1
acm_shellgap_coating_2
Nastran pie (rigid spider)
This realization prepares a circled shell mesh from a certain number of segments for each link, so the mesh is adjusted to a rigid element created with the independent node centered in the circular arranged dependent nodes. The independent nodes themselves are connected by an additional rigid element.
Different numbers of elements lead to a different pattern. In addition, the appearance can be influenced via the diameter and the washer layer activation.
CFG nastran 73 pie (rigid spider)
*filter spot
*body 0
rigid 1 1
pie_rigid_spider_processed
Nastran acm (general)
This realization type consolidates several ACM definitions into one general, flexible ACM definition. Besides mid thickness, constant thickness, and maintain gaps, the definition of several coats with different hexa pattern is available. Each hexa node pointing towards the link elements is connected to the links by using RBE3 elements. The independent nodes get different weighting factors. See the formulas in the prop_nastran_acm.tcl3 property script.
The realization also uses the prop_nastran_acm.tcl3 property script.
CFG nastran 74 acm (general)
*filter spot
*style acm 3
rbe3 1 0 dofs=123
*body 0
hex8 1 1
*post prop_nastran_acm.tcl
acm_general2
Nastran penta (mig+L)
This realization supports Lap-joints and creates PENTA element for the body. Surrounding shell/solid elements are projected and connected with RBE3 elements. This realization supports the creation of PENTA elements on one side or on both sides of the joint. A fitted/equilateral option is also provided for the PENTA creation.
CFG nastran 76 penta (mig + L)
*filter spot
*style mig 1
rbe3 1 0
*body 0
penta6 1 1
Nastran penta (mig+T)
This realization supports T-joints and creates PENTA element for the body. Surrounding shell/solid elements are projected and connected with RBE3 elements. This realization supports the creation of PENTA elements on one side or on both sides of the joint, and provides a right-angled option.
CFG nastran 77 penta (mig + T)
*filter spot
*style mig 2
rbe3 1 0
*body 0
penta6 1 1
Nastran penta (mig+B)
This realization supports Butt-joints and creates PENTA element for the body. Surrounding shell/solid elements are projected and connected with RBE3 elements. This realization supports the creation of PENTA elements on one side or on both sides of the joint. The non-normal option needs to be ON/Active for this realization.
CFG nastran 78 penta (mig + B)
*filter spot
*style mig 3
rbe3 1 0
*body 0
penta6 1 1
cfg_nastran_78_penta_mig_b
Nastran cweld (GA-GB PARTPAT)
Creates 1D CWELD element via GA-GB PARTPAT.
This realization also uses the prop_cweld.tcl4 property script.
CFG nastran 80 cweld (GA-GB PARTPAT)
*filter spot
*body 0
rod 4 1
*post prop_cweld.tcl
cfg_nastran_80_cweld
Nastran cweld (GA-GB ELPAT)
Creates 1D CWELD element via GA-GB ELPAT.
This realization also uses the prop_cweld.tcl4 property script.
CFG nastran 82 cweld (GA-GB ELPAT)
*filter spot
*body 0
rod 4 1
*post prop_cweld.tcl
cfg_nastran_82_cweld
Nastran cweld (GS ELPAT)
Creates 0D CWELD element via GS ELPAT.
This realization also uses the prop_cweld.tcl4 property script.
CFG nastran 83 cweld (GS ELPAT)
*filter spot
*body 0
mass 11 0
*post prop_cweld.tcl
cfg_nastran_83_cweld
Nastran cweld (GA-GB ELEMID)
Creates 1D CWELD element via GA-GB ELEMID.
This realization also uses the prop_cweld.tcl4 property script.
CFG nastran 84 cweld (GA-GB ELEMID)
*filter spot
*body 0
rod 4 1
*post prop_cweld.tcl
cfg_nastran_84_cweld
Nastran cweld (GS ELEMID)
Creates 0D CWELD element via GS ELEMID.
This realization also uses the prop_cweld.tcl4 property script.
CFG nastran 85 cweld (GS ELEMID)
*filter spot
*body 0
mass 11 0
*post prop_cweld.tcl
cfg_nastran_85_cweld
Nastran cweld (GA-GB GRIDID)
Creates 1D CWELD element via GA-GB GRIDID.
This realization also uses the prop_cweld.tcl4 property script.
CFG nastran 86 cweld (GA-GB GRIDID)
*filter spot
*body 0
rod 4 1
*post prop_cweld.tcl
cfg_nastran_86_cweld
Nastran cweld (GS GRIDID)
Creates 0D CWELD element via GS GRIDID.
This realization also uses the prop_cweld.tcl4 property script.
CFG nastran 87 cweld (GS GRIDID)
*filter spot
*body 0
mass 11 0
*post prop_cweld.tcl
cfg_nastran_87_cweld
Nastran cweld (GA-GB ALIGN)
Creates 1D CWELD element via GA-GB ALIGN.
This realization also uses the prop_cweld.tcl4 property script.
CFG nastran 88 cweld (GA-GB ALIGN)
*filter spot
*body 0
rod 4 1
*post prop_cweld.tcl
cfg_nastran_88_cweld
Nastran rbe3-celas1-rbe3
Creates RBE3 element for the head and zero length CELAS1 element for the body. The head elements project and connect to the nodes of the adjoining shell elements. The degrees of freedom are constrained in the x, y, z, rot x, rot y, rot z for the dependant nodes.
CFG nastran 89 rbe3-celas1-rbe3
*filter spot
rbe3 1 0 dofs=123456
*body 0
spring 1 0
cfg_nastran_89_rbe3_celas1_rbe3
Creates a quad row with tria caps at the seam ends. In addition, a certain pure quad element pattern is created around the seam elements, shown here in red. These elements normally get imprinted into the shell links. The exact geometry of the seam can be influenced by certain attributes in the Seam panel.
This realization is mainly intended to be used for lap welds. You can revert the direction of quad seam connectors during the next realization by activating the reverse direction check box in the Seam panel.
CFG nastran 101 seam-quad (angled+capped+L)
*filter seam
*body 0
quad4 1 1
Creates a quad row with tria caps at the seam ends. In addition, a certain pure quad element pattern is created around the seam elements, shown here in red. These elements normally get imprinted into the shell links. The exact geometry of the seam can be influenced by certain attributes in the Seam panel.
This realization is mainly intended to be used for lap welds. You can revert the direction of quad seam connectors during the next realization by activating the reverse direction check box in the Seam panel.
CFG nastran 102 seam-quad (angled+capped+T)
*filter seam
*body 0
quad4 1 1
Creates two quad rows-the first one perpendicular to the opposite shell link, and the second one with a certain angle to the first one. In addition, a certain pure quad element pattern is created around the seam elements, shown here in red. These elements normally get imprinted into the shell links. The exact geometry of the seam can be influenced by the angle value.
This realization is can be used for both lap- and T-welds.
Note: You can revert the direction of quad seam connectors during the next realization by activating the reverse direction check box in the Seam panel.
CFG nastran 103 seam-quad (vertical+angled)
*filter seam
*body 0
quad4 1 1
Creates one quad row under a certain angle. The angle is measured between the quad row and the perpendicular projection from the free edge to the opposite shell link. In addition, a certain pure quad element pattern is created around the seam elements, shown here in red. These elements normally get imprinted into the shell links. The exact geometry of the seam can be influenced by the angle value.
This realization is can be used for both lap- and T-welds.
Note: You can revert the direction of quad seam connectors during the next realization by activating the reverse direction checkbox in the Seam panel.
CFG nastran 104 seam-quad (angled)
*filter seam
*body 0
quad4 1 1
Nastran penta (mig)
Creates penta elements with RBE3 elements projecting and connecting to the surrounding shell elements. This realization supports many different use cases, including T-joint, angled T-joint, lap joint and butt joint.
CFG nastran 105 penta (mig)
*filter seam
*style continuous 3
rbe3 1 0
*body 0
penta6 1 1
cfg_nastran_105_penta
Creates a row of hexa elements for the body and numerous RBE2/RBE3 elements for the head. The head elements project and connect to the nodes of the adjoining shell elements. If there is a direct normal project then an RBE2 elements will be used, if there are only non-normal projections then RBE3 elements will be created. The hexa elements are projected so that they touch the shell elements of the connecting components.
This realization also uses the prop_nastran_acm.tcl3 property script.
CFG nastran 106 hexa (adhesive)
*filter seam
*style continuous 3
rbe3 1 0
rigid 1 0
*body 0
hex8 1 1
Nastran cfast_elem (GA-GB)
Creates 1D CFAST element of type ELEM.
This realization also uses the prop_opt_nas_cfast.tcl5 property script.
CFG nastran 107 cfast_elem (GA-GB)
*filter spot
*body 0
rod 7 1
*post prop_opt_nas_cfast.tcl
cfg_nastran_107_cfast
Nastran cfast_elem (GS)
Creates 0D CFAST element of type ELEM.
This realization also uses the prop_opt_nas_cfast.tcl5 property script.
CFG nastran 108 cfast_elem (GS)
*filter spot
*body 0
mass 23 0
*post prop_opt_nas_cfast.tcl
Nastran cfast_prop (GA-GB)
Creates 1D CFAST element of type PROP.
This realization also uses the prop_opt_nas_cfast.tcl5 property script.
CFG nastran 109 cfast_prop (GA-GB)
*filter spot
*body 0
rod 7 1
*post prop_opt_nas_cfast.tcl
cfg_nastran_109_cfast
Nastran cfast_prop (GS)
Creates 0D CFAST element of type PROP.
This realization also uses the prop_opt_nas_cfast.tcl5 property script.
CFG nastran 110 cfast_prop (GS)
*filter spot
*body 0
mass 23 0
*post prop_opt_nas_cfast.tcl
cfg_nastran_110_cfast
Nastran HILOCK
Creates 1D element construct existing out of RBAR, CBAR and CBUSH elements. The outer extensions represent the thicknesses of the outer shell elements. The inner nodes of the RBAR element are connected to the shell elements whereas the inner nodes of the CBAR elements are coincident to the shell nodes only. Between the appropriate connected and coincident nodes CBUSHes are created. Each outer node connects one CBAR and one RBAR. Each HILOCK connection gets an own coordinate system which z-axis is collinear to the HILOCK direction. All affected nodes are assigned to this coordinate system. This coordinate system is taken into account for the DOF definition of the CBAR elements, for the stiffness calculation of the CBUSH elements and for the DOF of the node constraint.
This realization uses the shell properties and materials (PSHELL or PCOMP) and the HILOCK material you select to calculate the exact position of the outer nodes and the stiffness of the PBUSH elements.
This realization also uses the prop_opt_nas_hilock.tcl6 property script.
CFG nastran 111 HILOCK
*filter spot
*style fastener 1
*bodyext 0
bar2 1 1
weld 1 1 dofs=1456
*body 0
spring 6 0 dofs=2356
bar2 1 1
weld 1 1 dofs=156
spring 6 0 dofs=2356
*post prop_opt_nas_hilock.tcl
cfg_nastran_111_HiLock
Nastran clip (washer nodes)
Creates a single RBE2 element for the body. The element projects and connects to the nodes which form the washer layer. The connector location can either be on the edge of the hole, center of the hole, midpoint in between the two holes or on the second row of nodes which form the washer layer.
CFG nastran 112 clip (washer nodes)
*filter bolt
*style bolt 12
*body 0
rigidlink 1 1
Nastran bolt (step hole)
This realization creates a CBAR element for the bolt shaft, and connects to the solids' nodes with numerous RBE2 based on the given bolt/hole parameters. It also, connects two solids through holes, or it connects one solid through a hole with a solid blind hole.
This realization uses the prop_stepboltholes.tcl7 property script.
CFG nastran 114 bolt (step hole)
*filter bolt
*style bolt 6
*body 0
bar2 1 1
*post prop_stepboltholes.tcl
Nastran bolt (threaded step hole)
Connects two solids through holes or connects one solid through a hole with a solid blind hole. A thread length can be defined to define the dimensions of the rigid elements connecting the bolt shaft models as a bar.
CFG nastran 115 bolt (threaded step hole)
*filter bolt
*style bolt 7
*body 0
bar2 1 1
*post prop_stepboltholes.tcl
This realization type is used for modeling roll hemmings, where the outer shell is bent around the inner shell. The inner shell is connected to the outer shell on one side with simple hexa adhesive, and the other side is connected with RBE2 elements. A definable orientation node decides which side the hexa adhesive should be used. This seam realization type is capable of connecting three layers that contains two components.
CFG nastran 116 adhesive-hemmings
*filter area
rbe3 1 0
*body 1
hex8 1 1
rigid 1 0
*post prop_nastran_acm.tcl
Nastran penta continuous (mig+L)
This realization supports Lap-joints and creates PENTA element for the body. Surrounding shell/solid elements are projected and connected with RBE3 elements. This realization supports the creation of PENTA elements on one side or on both sides of the joint, and provides a fitted/equilateral option for the PENTA creation.
CFG nastran 117 penta (mig + L)
*filter seam
*style continuous_mig 1
rbe3 1 0
*body 0
penta6 1 1
Nastran penta continuous (mig+T)
This realization supports T-joints and creates PENTA element for the body. Surrounding shell/solid elements are projected and connected with RBE3 elements. This realization supports the creation of PENTA elements on one side or on both sides of the joint, and provides a right-angled option.
CFG nastran 118 penta (mig + T)
*filter seam
*style continuous_mig 2
rbe3 1 0
*body 0
penta6 1 1
Nastran penta continuous (mig+B)
This realization supports Butt-joints and creates PENTA element for the body. Surrounding shell/solid elements are projected and connected with RBE3 elements. This realization supports the creation of PENTA elements on one side or on both sides of the joint.
CFG nastran 119 penta (mig + B)
*filter seam
*style continuous_mig 3
rbe3 1 0
*body 0
penta6 1 1
Nastran wagonwheel
This realization creates RBE2 elements for the body, and projects and connects to the hole edge nodes with RBE3 elements.
CFG nastran 120 wagonwheel
*filter bolt
*style bolt 0
rbe3 1 0
*body 0
rigid 1 1
cfg_nastran_120_wagonwheel
This realization also uses the prop_nastran_acm.tcl3 property script.
CFG nastran 121 adhesives
*filter area
rbe3 1 0
rigid 1 0
*body 1
hex8 1 1
penta6 1 1
*post prop_nastran_acm.tcl
cfg_nastran_121_adhesives
Nastran hemming
Creates RBE3 elements for the body, the head elements project and connect to the nodes of the adjoining shell elements.
CFG nastran 122 hemming
*filter area
*body 0
rbe3 1 1
Nastran bolt (collapse Rigid)
This realization creates a single RBE2 element for the body. The element projects and connect to the nodes of the adjoining shell/solid elements which form the hole.
CFG nastran 123 bolt (collapse Rigid)
*filter bolt
*style bolt 14
*body 0
rigidlink 1 12
Serves and realizes t-welds, lap-welds and butt-welds simultaneously. The weld type is identified automatically based on the orientation of the links to each other.
The dimensions and property for all heat affected zones (HAZ) can be defined separately.
Normal directions of quad weld elements and HAZ elements can be controlled.
An edge treatment can be defined for t-welds and butt-welds to move the edge a precise distance from the opposite link.
 Figure 56. T-weld Figure 57. Lap-weld Figure 58. Butt-weld
CFG nastran 128 seam-quad LTB
*filter seam
*body 0
quad4 1 1
Nastran seam-rigid LTB
Serves and realizes t-welds, lap-welds and butt-welds at the same time. The weld type is identified automatically based on the orientation of the links to each other.
The dimensions and property for all heat affected zones (HAZ) can be defined separately.
An edge treatment can be defined for t-welds and butt-welds to move the edge a precise distance from the opposite link.
 Figure 59. T-weld Figure 60. Lap-weld Figure 61. Butt-weld
CFG nastran 129 seam-rigid LTB
*filter seam
*style rigid 1
*body 0
rigid 1 1
Nastran cbush (rigid)
Creates bush (CBUSH) elements between shell and/or solid elements in order to connect them using rigid (RBE3) elements. The bush element nodes will project and touch the shell and/or solid element faces. Unless defined differently, the bushs are assigned a default property, and are organized into a component with the same name base as the property. If no specific bush coordinate system is defined, the bush elements are defined with a vector x1, x2, and x3 normal to it.
The default property parameters can be changed in the files below this path: ..\Altair\2022\hm\scripts\connectors\Bush_Rigid\nastran\.
Note: IDs, names, and card type cannot be changed.
CFG nastran 156 cbush (rigid)
*filter spot
*style bush_rigid 1
rbe3 1 0
*body 0
spring 6 1

## Automatic Exclusion of Special Nodes During Rigid Bolt Realization

HyperMesh automatically excludes special nodes as potential secondary nodes for any rigid bodies created during bolt realization, even though they fall with the virtual Bolt Cylinder diameter. Nodes that are referred in the constraints are considered special nodes.

## Property Scripts

1. prop_hinge.tcl

This script is called while creation of HINGE– custom config welds in the connector bolts panel. This script performs the tasks when the Systems option is active in the Connector Bolt panel, such as “Single System”,”1- System per layer” or 2- Systems per layer.

This Script Assigns both reference and analysis systems ID to weld element nodes of each Bolt (Hinge) created during realization process.

2. prop_cylinder.tcl
Used while creating bolt (cylinder rigid) and bolt (cylinder bar) in the Bolt panel (Abaqus, Nastran, OptiStruct). It organizes the realized bolt elements into the respective components based upon the*HEAD and the *BODYinformation of the bolt:
• A collector with the name Rigid_M<diameter> is created. This component contains all of the rigid head elements and the rigid body elements, if available.
• A collector with the name Beam_M<diameter> is created. This component contains all of the bar2 head elements, if available. This component then gets a property Beam_M assigned (*BEAMSECTION or PBEAM).
3. prop_nastran_acm.tcl
This script is used in the Nastran and OptiStruct user profiles during the creation of the following configurations:
• acm – equivalence/detached –(T1+T2)/2, and shell gap custom config welds in the Spot panel,
• seam hexa adhesive and seam hexa (RBE2-RBE3) in the Seam panel, and
• Area adhesives in the Area panel.
The script performs the following tasks:
• Organizes the realized Solid Hexa weld elements created during realization process into components with names based on the realization, such as solid_spot_acm_detached, solid_seam_hexa_adhesive_shell_gap, or solid_area_hexa_adhesive_shell_gap. Components and the connected RBE’s created as the *HEAD type are organized into components using similar naming, such as rbe3_spot_acm_detached, rbe3_seam_hexa_adhesive, or rbe3_area_hexa_adhesive.
• This script creates property collectors, again using names based on the realization such as solid_spot_acm_detached, solid_seam_hexa_adhesive_shell_gap, or solid_area_hexa_adhesive_shell_gap.
• These property collectors are created with the PSOLID card associated with them, and are referenced in the above created components containing the Solid Hexa weld elements.
• In addition, this script also updates the weights of any RBE3 that is almost zero, because weight factors close to 0.0 cause Nastran and OptiStruct solvers to generate incorrect results.
Note: New components and properties will only be created if they do not already exist; otherwise the existing components and properties are used. For this reason, comps/props will not always follow the naming conventions given here, because preexisting ones might already have different names.
Also, when creating realizations with a mid-thickness option, the naming conventions include the presence of the mid-thickness. For example, when creating a hexa (RBE2-RBE3) configuration using a mid-thickness option:
• Solid elements will be organized into a Component named solid_seam_ hexa_RBE2_RBE3_mid_thick
• RBE3 elements will be organized into a Component named rbe3_seam_ hexa_RBE2_RBE3_mid_thick
• RBE2 elements will be organized into a Component named rbe2_seam_ hexa_RBE2_RBE3_mid_thick
• Properties will be created with the name solid_seam_ hexa_RBE2_RBE3_mid_thick
• Materials will be created with the name solid_seam_ hexa_RBE2_RBE3_mid_thick
4. prop_cweld.tcl
This script is called while creation of all the CWELD GA-GB and GS– custom config welds in the Spot panel. Theses include PARTPAT, ELPAT, ELEMID, GRIDID, ALIGN. It performs the following tasks:
• Assigns the attributes to the CWELD weld element created during the realization process, which is either a rod element [GA-GB] or mass Element [GS] of the types PARTPAT, ELPAT, ELEMID, GRIDID or ALIGN.
• Creates the property collector with the name prop_<id> with the PWELD card associated with it. This property is referenced to the CWELD element created during realization.
• This script also updates the weld radius value in the CWELD card. The diameter value is either defined by you on the Spot panel, or is taken from the dvst (diameter versus thickness) file.
Note: This script is called if the CWELD GA-GB and GS– custom config welds and shell gap custom config welds across Nastran and OptiStruct user profiles.
5. prop_opt_nas_cfast.tcl
This script is called while creation of all the CFAST GA-GB and GS– custom config welds in the Spot panel. Theses include ELEM, and PROP. It performs the following tasks:
• Assigns the attributes to the CFAST weld element created during the realization process, which is either a rod element [GA-GB] or mass Element [GS] of the types ELEM or PROP.
• Creates the property collector with the name PFAST_<diameter> with the PFAST card associated with it. This property is referenced to the CFAST element created during realization.
• This script also updates the weld diameter value in the CFAST card. The diameter value is either defined by you on the Spot panel, or is taken from the dvst (diameter versus thickness) file.
Note: This script is called for the CFAST GA-GB and GS– custom config welds across Nastran and OptiStruct user profiles.
6. prop_opt_nas_hilock.tcl

This script is used while creation of HILOCK custom config welds in the Spot panel from the Nastran and OptiStruct user profile.

This script does the following tasks:
• Organizes the realized 1D weld elements (RBAR, CBAR, CBUSH) created during realization process into a component named HiLock components.
• This script will create the following property collectors:
• HiLock_PBAR_<diameter>: This property collector is created with the PBAR card associated with it. The RBAR elements reference to this property. The attributes are calculated depending on the used diameter in the Spot panel during realization.
• HiLock_PBUSH_<translational stiffness>_<rotational stiffness>: These property collectors are created with the PBUSH card associated with them. The CBUSH elements reference to this property. The attributes are calculated depending on the HILOCK material you select and the properties and materials of the connected shells (PSHELL and/or PCOMP).
• This script will create the following load collector:
HiLock_SPC6
This load collector is created and the SPCs, which are created for each HiLock will be moved into this collector.
• This script will create the following system collector:
HiLock
This system collector is created and the systems created during the realizations will be moved into this collector. If the system collector exists already the new created systems will be moved into the same collector.
• If a HiLock material is not chosen, a default material is created:
HiLock_MAT1
This material will be assigned to PBAR cards, and can be found in the following folder of the installation directory: [hm_scripts_dir]/connectors/HiLock_Mats.
The predefined values are:
• set E 1.8e+07
• set G 4.7e+04
• set NU 0.330
• set RHO 8.9e-09
• set A 1.7e-05.
Note: This script is called if the realization CFG Nastran 111 HILOCK or CFG OptiStruct 111 HILOCK is used.
7. prop_stepboltholes.tcl
The script performs the following tasks:
• Organizes the CBAR elements into a component with the name HM_Bolt_CBAR.
• Organizes the RBE2 elements into a component with the name HM_Bolt_RBE2.
• Creates a property with the name HM_PBAR and assigns it the PBAR card image.
Note: New components and properties will only be created if their are not any components and properties with the same names that already exist; otherwise the existing components and properties are used.