Removable features
Removal is supported for the following types of features:
- Fillet
- Hole
- Chamfer
- Extrude
- Revolve
- Other: Features that are small in comparison to the selected body that weren't created with one of the above commands.
You can remove small holes, notches, or protrusions if all of the following statements are true:
- The feature is well removed from the critical stress region, so stress concentration effects are not a concern
- The feature does not have a significant effect on the overall stiffness of the structure
- The feature is not needed for a constraint or load application edge or face
- If running a modal frequencies analysis, the feature does not alter the mass enough to significantly affect the natural frequencies or mode shapes.
Typically, remove threaded fasteners (screws and bolts). These items require a complex mesh and many contact surfaces to represent adequately. Instead, define Connectors between parts of an assembly in place of the threaded fasteners. The exception is when a specially designed fastener is the focus of the analysis.
- Remove lifting eyes or handles unless these parts are the focus of the analysis.
- Remove parts that are attached to an assembly when they do not contribute to the stiffness or integrity of the structure. Examples are name plates, decorative moulding, panel switches, or indicator lights.
Note: If the mass of such parts might significantly affect the weight (gravity load) or the natural frequencies of the assembly, represent the removed parts using Point Mass (Auto) loads.
- Substitute Point Mass (Manual) loads for large objects that are resting on your structure but that are not included in the model. Examples are furniture on an office building floor, vehicles on a bridge, or a coil of steel on a flatbed trailer.
- You can remove small fillets and chamfers on external corners, such as those shown in the first of the following two images.
Note: Do not remove fillets on interior corners unless the area is well removed from the critical stress regions. Fillet radii are very important in capturing accurate stress concentration effects at inside corners (such as shaft neck or shoulder radii).
Figure 1: Fillets and Chamfers you can suppress (green faces).
Figure 2: Fillets you should not suppress (blue faces).