Defining Reference Lengths for Connections

You can use reference lengths to define the translational or angular positions at which the constitutive forces and moments in a connection are zero.

The app subtracts reference lengths and angles from the components of relative motion before using them in elasticity and friction behavior. The default values for reference lengths and angles are calculated from the initial geometry.

Before you begin:
  • Create a new connection or edit an existing connection. To create a connection, see Defining Connectors.
  • In the connection dialog box, click to open the Behaviors editor.
  • In the left pane of the Behaviors, select Reference Length.
See Also
About Connectors
  1. To define reference lengths, enter values for Length associated with Tx, Length associated with Ty, and Length associated with Tz.
  2. To define reference angles, enter values for Angle associated with Rx, Angle associated with Ry, Angle associated with Rz.