Spring constraints

In a Stress analysis, springs may be used to simulate discrete elastic supports.

The spring constraint defines the degree of stiffness to translation in the X, Y, and Z plane directions. In order to specify the spring elastic support constraint, you must first have specified a nodal constraint.

The elastic support spring constraint requires that you specify the direction of the spring constraint, the spring constant (N/mm or lbf/in), and the node(s) to apply the spring constraint to. You are required to specify the stiffness of each individual spring. The values and units for stiffness are derived from force/length.

Note: By default, the direction specified is a global direction. A spring constraint can be applied in a non-global axis direction by first specifying a local coordinate system at the node(s).