Constraints

Constraints are where a condition is applied to a degree of freedom in the model. They may be defined as:

• Restraints
• Settlements
• Joints
• Rigid constraints

Constraints can all be represented as constraints equations:

Restraints

Restraints specify degrees freedom that are restrained from movement such that .

Restraints can be applied in the nodal properties.

If using staged analysis, restraints can be defined differently for each stat. See the generalised restraints (opens new window) entry for further guidance on restraints that move between stages.

Settlements

Settlements are when a degree of freedom is forced into a displaced position such that .

Settlements can be applied to any restrained node by applying a settlement load (opens new window). A different settlement can be defined for each load case.

Joints

Joints describe the condition where two degrees of freedom in the model are linked in a given direction such that .

Joints relate the displacement or force at the constrained degree of freedom, () to the primary degree of freedom ().

Note: Joints are an 'artificial' feature and might not give an equilibrium condition if the nodes are not coincident or have the same axes.

Rigid constraints

Rigid constraints are similar to joints in that it relates the constrained degrees of freedom to the primary degree of freedom. However, unlike joints, they are a set of constraint equations that maintain equilibrium.

For a rigid constraint in the plane, the equations are:

Rigid Constraints can be applied in all directions or applied to a specified plane.

• The primary node can be restrained or constrained by another constraint.
• The constrained node cannot be restrained or be a constrained by another constraint.
• A Rigid Constraint can be considered as a rigid body or rigid plane, depending on the type of its property.

The rigid constraint can have the following properties:

Plane	Properties
All	rigid constraint applied to all directions (a rigid body)
XY plane	rigid constraint applied to XY plane only (a rigid plane)
YZ plane	rigid constraint applied to YZ plane only (a rigid plane)
ZX plane	rigid constraint applied to ZX plane only (a rigid plane)
Pin all	same as 'All', except that the constrained node moment will not be transferred to the primary node.
Pin XY plane	same as 'XY plane', except that the constrained node moment will not be transferred to the primary node.
Pin YZ plane	same as 'YZ plane', except that the constrained node moment will not be transferred to the primary node.
Pin ZX plane	same as 'ZX plane', except that the constrained node moment will not be transferred to the primary node.