Defining a reference length

You can define the translational or angular positions at which constitutive forces and moments are zero for the available components of relative motion. Reference lengths/angles are subtracted from the components of relative motion before being used in elasticity and friction behavior. You can define only one reference length option. For more information, see Connector behavior.

Related Topics
Connector section editors
Creating connector sections
In Other Guides
Connector behavior

  1. Display the connector section editor using one of the following methods:

    • To create a new connector section, follow the procedure outlined in Creating connector sections.

    • To edit an existing connector section, select ConnectorSectionManager from the main menu bar, select the connector section from the list that appears, and click Edit.

  2. In the Edit Connector Section dialog box, do one of the following:

    • To define a new reference length option, click Add and select Reference Length from the option menu that appears.

    • To edit an existing reference length option, select the option from the Behavior Options list to display the associated data fields for that option.

  3. In the Constitutive Reference Length and Angle portion of the editor, enter the reference lengths and reference angles associated with the available components of relative motion. If you do not enter a value, the reference lengths and reference angles are determined by the initial configuration of the connector.

  4. Select one of the following:

    • If you want to continue defining behavior options, click Add, select the desired behavior option, and continue the connector section definition. For instructions on defining other behavior options, see Using the connector section editors.

    • If you want to view or edit an existing behavior option, select the option from the Behavior Options list. For instructions on editing behavior options, see Using the connector section editors.

    • If you want to save your connector section definition and exit the editor, click OK.