List of FEA nodes

Table of Contents

• ChNodeFEAxyz
• ChNodeFEAxyzrot
• ChNodeFEAxyzD
• ChNodeFEAxyzDD
• ChNodeFEAxyzP

Different types of nodes can be used in the FEA module. In this page you can find a description of their properties.

• A node in an object with degrees of freedom (xyz, rotations, etc.).
• There are different types of nodes, some elements require specific types of nodes.
• Nodes are handled via std::shared_ptr shared pointers: you do not have to worry about deleting them.
• Add nodes to a mesh using ChMesh::AddNode()

ChNodeFEAxyz

• 3 coordinates (p, ie. x y z translation in 3D)
• Ex. Used by solid elements:
  • ChElementTetra_4
  • ChElementTetra_10
  • ChElementHexa_8
  • ChElementHexa_20 etc.

ChNodeFEAxyzrot

• 6 coordinates (translation p and rotation in 3D)
• Note: rotation expressed by quaternions q
• Ex. used by these elements:
  • ChElementBeamEuler
  • ChElementShellReissner

ChNodeFEAxyzD

• 6 coordinates (p translation and Dx Dy Dz direction)
• Useful for defining simple beams of cable type, where information about torsion is not useful
• Ex. used by these elements:
  • ChElementCableANCF
  • ChElementShellANCF

ChNodeFEAxyzDD

• 9 coordinates (x y z translations and two directions)
• Ex. used by these elements:
  • ChElementBeamANCF

ChNodeFEAxyzP

• 1 coordinates (a scalar P, in a 3D space)
• Used for thermal and electrostatic analysis
• Ex. used by these elements:
  • ChElementTetra_4_P

Theory

Additional information regarding the implementation of finite elements in Chrono can be found at the
whitepapers page.

Examples

See demos and examples at the tutorials page.