Generate Edge Constraints

Form: Assign Edge Constraints

Use the Assign menu > Area > Generate Edge Constraints command to add or remove edge constraints from area objects in the model. This command can be useful to model transitions where two incompatible meshes meet along an edge, for example where a finer mesh in one area has elements half as wide as elements in the coarser mesh in the other area.

Select the area object(s) to be assigned edge constraints.
Click the Assign menu > Area > Generate Edge Constraints command to access the Assign Edge Constraints form. Then choose one of the following options:

- Do NOT Create Edge Constraints option. - This is the default. If edge constraints have been previously added to the object, use this option to remove them.
- Create Constraints around Object Edges option. - Choose this option to add edge constraints around the selected object(s).

IMPORTANT NOTE: Edge constraints transfer load from intermediate joints to corner joints along the edge of a shell. Applying an edge constraint along an edge that is co-linear with a frame, cable, tendon or link object can result in load being transferred by the edge constraint instead of by the object. Using edge constraints in these locations should be avoided if detailed results in the frame/cable/tendon/link objects are of interest. In particular, frame design results could be affected, and may be unconservative. Frame/cable/tendon/link objects with only one joint connected to the edge are not affected, and in fact, one of the advantages of using edge constraints is to connect such elements to a coarse shell mesh, provided that detailed local stresses in the shells are not needed. When frame/cable/tendon/link objects are co-linear with an edge constraint, the overall effect of the object on the model is captured, but local response may not be accurate.