Rigid bodies in dynamic event simulations

In dynamic event simulation studies, if you are not concerned with the strain experienced by certain bodies in your model, you can save computational time and effort by assiging them the Rigid Bodies property. Rigid Bodies can translate or rotate, but they cannot deform, and no strains or stresses are calculated for them.

When you assign the Rigid Body property to a body, its response to loads is reduced to 6 degrees of freedom at its center of gravity: 3 spatial translations and 3 rotations. Rigid Bodies are still meshed with their complete geometry and participate in contact interactions.

Animation showing sheet metal strains as it is flattened by 25%. The roller and pushing block are both rigid bodies and participate in the contact interactions, but no stresses or strains are calculated for them.