In the analysis of a frame assembly, you create connections to define the relationship between beams. Connections transfer load between beams while preventing beams from penetrating each other. Connections can simulate interaction between beams that separate or come into contact during loading. Without connections, beams do not interact with each other in the simulation.
There are two connection types you can use to simulate the physical behavior of a frame assembly.
Rigid links are used to model rigid elements of elastic structures (definition of a rigid body in a structure). Displacements and rotations defined for a rigid link can be limited to certain selected degrees of freedom.
You need at least two nodes to define a rigid link, one parent node and one or more child nodes. A parent node passes its parameters down to child nodes during simulation.
Releases of specified degrees of freedom can be applied to start or the end of the beam with possible elasticity.