Structural constraints restrict or limit the displacement of the model. Add constraints to mimic environmental conditions. For static simulations, remove all rigid body modes (free translational and rotational movement of the bodies). To do so, fix a face, for example, or combine partial constraints on faces, edges, or vertices.
If you need assistance, activate the Simulation Guide. After you run the simulation, you can edit or suppress constraints and then rerun the simulation to see the effect of the changes.
- Edit the constraint using the dialog box that displays, or double-click a constraint node.
- View reaction forces. Values are zero until you run a simulation.
Reaction forces, for the Fixed, Pin, and Frictionless constraints display based on the selected constraint.
Reaction Force Displays the Total, X, Y, or Z component reaction force.
Reaction Moment Displays the total magnitude of the reaction moment about the constraint centroid, or about the x-axis, y-axis, or z-axis of the constraint centroid.
- Suppress or delete the constraint.
- Copy and Paste between simulations within the same document.
- On the ribbon, Stress Analysis tab
Constraints panel, click a structural constraint: - Fixed
- Apply to a face, edge, or vertex. Removes all degrees of freedom, and prevents the face, edge, or vertex from moving or deforming.
- Pin
- Apply to cylindrical faces. Prevents the faces from moving or deforming in combinations of radial, axial, or tangential directions
- Frictionless
- Apply to a flat or cylindrical surface. Prevents the surface from moving or deforming in the normal direction relative to the surface.
or
In the browser, right-click the Constraints
node, and click the constraint type. - Fixed
- In the dialog box, with Location
active, select the constraint location.. 
- For access to other constraint parameters, click
(More). The available parameters are based on the constraint type. Select the appropriate input for the constraint type. You can select more than one input only if the selections are of the same type, such as face, edge, or vertex.
- For frictionless constraint
- To apply a fixed constraint with non zero displacement:
- Click Use Vector Component
- Select the x, y, or z vector components that define your displacement vector
- Enter the appropriate displacement magnitudes for each vector component.
- For Pin constraint
- Fix Radial, Axial, or Tangential Direction Cylindrical surfaces cannot move, rotate, or deform radially, axially, or tangentially to the cylinder.
- Click OK.