Activity 3: Define the constraints and loads to be applied

In this activity, you create four load cases to test during the generative process.

Finished examples of the four load cases.

Prerequisites

• The previous activity has been completed.
• The copy of the GE Bracket is open in the Generative Design workspace.

Steps

1. Apply a structural constraint to the external faces of the Fixed Constraints components.

   1. On the Define tab, click Design Conditions > Structural Constraints .
      
      The Structural Constraints dialog opens.
   2. In the dialog, ensure that Type is set to Fixed.
   3. In the design, select the faces highlighted in blue as shown in the following image.
      
      
      
      Note: The padlock icons on the selected faces indicated that the structural constraints have been applied.
   4. In the Structural Constraints dialog, click OK.
      
      Warning: You can apply constraints to preserve geometries only.
   5. To verify that the Fixed1 constraints have been applied, in the Browser, under Study 1 - Structural Component, expand Load Case1 > Constraints.
      
      Tip: To modify the structural constraints, in the Browser, place the mouse pointer over Fixed1, and to the right, click the Edit icon

2. Apply a structural load to the internal faces of the Ring 1 and Ring 2 components.

   1. To make it easier to define the first load case, in the Browser, under Model Components, to the left of Pin: 1, click the Visible icon .
      
      
   2. On the Define tab, click Design Conditions > Structural Loads .
      
      The Structural Loads dialog opens.
   3. In the dialog, verify that Type is set to Force.
   4. In the design, select the two, blue highlighted faces as shown in the following image.
      
      
   5. In the Structural Loads dialog, for Direction Type click the Vectors (x, y, z) icon .
   6. In the Fz box, type 8000.
      
      The blue, upward pointing arrows are shown on the selected faces.
      
      
   7. Click OK.
   8. To verify that the force load is applied properly, in the Browser, under Study 1 - Structural Component, expand Load Case1 > Loads.
      
      

3. Clone Load Case1 three times.

   1. In the Browser, right-click Load Case1 and click Clone Load Case.
      
      Load Case2 is created.
      
      
   2. Clone Load Case1 two more times for a total of four load cases.
      
      

4. Modify the Force2 load for Load Case 2.

   1. In the Browser, to activate it, double-click Load Case2.
      
      
   2. If necessary, expand Loads.
   3. Place the mouse pointer over Force 2, and then click the Edit icon .
   4. In the Fy box, type -8500 and in the Fz box, type 0.
      
      The arrows show on the selected faces as shown in the following image.
      
      
   5. Click OK.

5. Modify the Force3 load for Load Case 3.

   1. In the Browser, to activate and expand it, double-click Load Case3.
      
      
   2. Place the mouse pointer over Force 3, and then click the Edit icon .
   3. In the Fy box, type -7060 and in the Fz box, type 6357.
      
      The arrows show on the selected faces as shown in the following image.
      
      
   4. Click OK.

6. From Load Case4, delete Force4.

   1. In the Browser, to activate it, double-click Load Case4.
   2. If necessary, expand Loads.
   3. Right-click Force 4 and select Delete.
      
      

7. Apply a structural load to the internal face of the Ring 1 component.

   1. In the design, select the blue, highlighted face as shown in the following image.
      
      
   2. On the Define tab, click Design Conditions > Structural Loads .
      
      The Structural Loads dialog opens.
   3. In the dialog, verify that Type is set to Force.
   4. For Direction Type click the Vectors (x, y, z) icon .
   5. In the Fy box, type -1400.
      
      
   6. Click OK.
      
      In the Browser, under Load Case4 > Loads, Force5 is added.

8. Apply a structural load to the internal face of the Ring 2 component.

   1. In the design, select the blue, highlighted face as shown in the following image.
      
      
   2. On the Define tab, click Design Conditions > Structural Loads .
      
      The Structural Loads dialog opens.
   3. In the dialog, verify that Type is set to Force.
   4. For Direction Type click the Vectors (x, y, z) icon .
   5. In the Fy box, type 1400.
      
      
   6. Click OK.
      
      In the Browser, under Load Case4 > Loads, Force6 is added.
      
      

9. Verify the four load cases.

   1. On the ViewCube, click Front, then click the Left Arrow.
      
      
   2. In the Browser, double-click to activate each of the four load cases in order to verify that they match the following image.
      
      

10. Return the view to Home and show the Pin:1 component again.

    1. Place the mouse pointer over the ViewCube, and click the Home icon .
    2. In the Browser, under Model Components, to the left of Pin:1, click the Hidden icon .

Activity 3 summary

In this activity, you applied four load cases to test during the generative process.