manual_fea_nodes

FEA Nodes

\tableofcontents

Different types of nodes can be used in the [FEA module](@ref manual_fea). In this page you can find a description of their properties.

• A node in an object with degrees of freedom (xyz, rotations, etc.).

• There are different types of nodes, some elements require specific types of nodes.

• Nodes are handled via std::shared_ptr shared pointers: you do not have to worry about deleting them.

• Add nodes to a mesh using ChMesh::AddNode()

ChNodeFEAxyz

• 3 coordinates (p, ie. x y z translation in 3D)

• Ex. Used by solid elements:

  • ChElementTetraCorot_4

  • ChElementTetraCorot_10

  • ChElementHexaCorot_8

  • ChElementHexaCorot_20 etc.

ChNodeFEAxyzrot

• 6 coordinates (translation p and rotation in 3D)

• Note: rotation expressed by quaternions q

• Ex. used by these elements:

  • ChElementBeamEuler

  • ChElementShellReissner

ChNodeFEAxyzD

• 6 coordinates (p translation and Dx Dy Dz direction)

• Useful for defining simple beams of cable type, where information about torsion is not useful

• Ex. used by these elements:

  • ChElementCableANCF

  • ChElementShellANCF_3423

ChNodeFEAxyzDD

• 9 coordinates (x y z translations and two directions)

• Ex. used by these elements:

  • ChElementBeamANCF_3333

  • ChElementShellANCF_3833

ChNodeFEAxyzDDD

• 12 coordinates (x y z translations and three directions)

• Ex. used by these elements:

  • ChElementBeamANCF_3243

  • ChElementShellANCF_3443

  • ChElementHexaANCF_3843

ChNodeFEAxyzP

• 1 coordinates (a scalar P, in a 3D space)

• Used for thermal and electrostatic analysis

• Ex. used by these elements:

  • ChElementTetraCorot_4_P

ChNodeFEAcurv

• 9 coordinates (3 2nd order partial derivatives of the position vector, which represent curvatures)

  • 2nd order partial derivative of position with respect to just x

  • 2nd order partial derivative of position with respect to just y

  • 2nd order partial derivative of position with respect to just z

• Ex. used by these elements:

  • ChElementHexaANCF_3813_9

Theory

Additional information regarding the implementation of finite elements in Chrono can be found at the whitepapers page.

Examples

See demos and examples at the [tutorials](@ref tutorial_table_of_content_chrono_fea) page.