Modifying element connectivity

Use Element Modify Connectivity to modify:

• The connectivity of a single element (Single Element option).

• The connectivity of all elements attached to a single node (Elements Attached to Selected Node option).

For example, you can use Element Modify Connectivity to replace a node from one element with another node. This allows you, for example, to connect two separate meshes by specifying where elements should share nodes.

You can also use the Element Modify Connectivity command to modify the connectivity of any elements that you create in an assembly FEM file. For example, you can use Element Modify Connectivity to replace a node from one element with another node. This allows you to connect two separate meshes by specifying where elements should share nodes.

Modifying the connectivity of a single element

When you select the Single Element option, the connectivity modifications that you can make depend on the type of element you select.

• For 2D or 3D elements, you can replace a node with another node that is not already associated with that element.

• For two-noded 1D elements, you can either replace a node or swap the two end nodes.

• For 1D connection elements, such as Nastran RBE2 or RBE3 elements, you can either replace a node or modify the leg nodes. For example, for a selected RBE2 element, you can change the dependent node or the independent node.

The following graphic shows an example of how you can use Element Modify Connectivity to add additional leg nodes to an RBE3 element. In (A), the node at the center of the RBE3 is not connected to one of the nodes around the hole. We used the Single Element and Spider Leg Nodes options in the Element Modify Connectivity dialog box to select the missing node. (B) shows the modified RBE3 element.

Modifying the connectivity of all elements attached to a single node

When you select the Elements Attached to Selected Node option, the software modifies the connectivity of all the elements that are associated with the node you select as the node to replace.

Where do I find it?

Application	Pre/Post
Prerequisite	An active FEM or assembly FEM file
Command Finder	Element Modify Connectivity
Menu	Edit→Element→Modify Connectivity

How do I

Reset node and element IDs

Learn more

Manually creating elements

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Convex meshes for FEM acoustics analyses

Acoustic chamber meshes for panel transmission loss analyses

Open duct end meshing for acoustics

Combining triangular elements

Modifying element order

Modifying the type of elements

Moving nodes in 2D elements

Modifying element labels

Deleting elements

Extracting elements from a mesh

Locking and unlocking a mesh

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Modifying element connectivity, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

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