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Step 6: Specify boundary conditions

As in previous tutorials, we'll apply the loads to the geometry rather than the mesh.

One important change to note is that instead of applying force P to the lower disk, we'll constrain the lower surface of the lower disk in the vertical (Y) direction in order to sufficiently constrain the model and avoid rigid body motion.

Apply Symmetry Boundary Conditions

We'll apply symmetry boundary conditions along the planes of symmetry.

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Select the four areas that define the planes of symmetry by clicking on them.

Click OK. The symbol s appears along these areas indicating that symmetry B.C.s have been applied.

Apply Displacement Constraints

Main Menu > Preprocessor > Loads > Define Loads > Apply > Structural > Displacement > On Areas

This brings up the Apply U,Rot on Areas pick menu. Select the bottom area of the lower disk (x-z plane). Click OK.

This brings up the Apply U,Rot on Areas menu. Select UY for the DOFs to be constrained and enter 0 for the Displacement value. Click OK.

Apply Force

Main Menu > Preprocessor > Loads > Define Loads > Apply > Structural > Force/Moment > On Keypoints

This brings up the Apply F/M on KPs pick menu. Select keypoint 8 on the upper body and click OK. This brings up the Apply F/M on Keypoints menu. Select FY for the Direction of force/mom. Enter p/4 for Force/Moment value and click OK. A single red arrow denotes the force and the direction in which it is acting. Note that we have divided the total force P=4500N by four to account for the fact that only a quarter of the volumes are being modeled.

Apply Coupled BCs

We will apply a coupled boundary condition to the upper area of the upper disk to ensure that all nodes attached to this area move equally as a result of the applied load.

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This brings up the Define Coupled DOFs menu. Enter 1 for Set reference number which is an arbitrary number. Select UY for Degree-of-freedom labelas we want to couple the movement of the nodes in the y direction. This step ensures that all nodes on the upper surface will move equally as a result of the applied load. Click OK.

Before we move to the next step, we need to undo the selection of nodes and areas we have made. Select everything: Utility Menu > Select > Everything.

Save Your Work

Toolbar > SAVE_DB

Go to Step 7: Solve

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