Structural constraints

For static simulations, you need to prevent all rigid body motion, such as free translational and rotational movement. This process is known as making the model statically stable. To do that, you either apply a fixed constraint to a face, or combine partial constraints on faces, edges, or vertices.

Structural constraints are not required in the following simulation studies:

Thermal study

Electronics cooling study

Modal frequencies study

Structural constraints include:

Constraint	Used to
Fixed	Prevent movement in selected directions. By default, all three global directions are constrained.
Frictionless	Prevent movement in the direction normal to the surface.
Pin	Prevent movement in radial, axial, or tangential directions. This constraint is only applicable to cylindrical surfaces (full cylinder or segment).
Prescribed Displacement	Prevent movement in selected directions, similar to a fixed constraint, except that the entities are held at a displaced position. You can specify displacement components separately in the three global directions.
Remote constraint	Prevent movement in selected directions, similar to a fixed constraint, except the constraint is located at a remote location. When all 6 degrees of freedom are fixed, a remote constraint is the same as a fixed constraint.