Modeling Cable and Ropes
1 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. March 3, 2017
Background
• Cables and ropes can be found in many structures
• Examples: Hoists, bridges, winches, anchors, stays, etc.
• In biomedical, a tendon acts much like a rope
• This Meet your KM will showcase several solutions that will help
guide the user to implementing a cable like structure into their
simulation.
2 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. March 3, 2017
Attributes of a cable or rope
• Cable and ropes are multi stranded.
• Cables and ropes typically have small bending stiffness compared
to axial stiffness so common to neglect i.e. use a link element.
• Modeling them as a beam element will typically be unconservative,
i.e. taking moment loads when should not. George Washington Bridge Cable Cross section
• Thick cables are actually somewhat stiff in bending so a beam can
still be used, but the Moments of Inertia can be modified to tailor
as needed.
Rope Exploded View
3 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. March 3, 2017
How to model in ANSYS Mechanical
• Element type Link180 typically used – not supported directly
• 3 DOFs at each end – Axial force only
Secdata
• Option for tension or compression only
• Stability
– In static structural, using multiple links requires initial/stress or
strain to pretension the cable
– No need to pretension in transient structural, but run time will Seccontrol
increase
• Use the Beam to Link ACT App
• Use commands (as detailed in these following KMs)
– Version independent and works when customer can not use ACT
• Use secdata & seccontrol to replace real constants (legacy)
4 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. March 3, 2017
1 Link Element vs Multiple
1 Element Multiple Elements
Advantages • No stability issue if single element • Model Sag, conforms to curvature
• Few elements, less complicated
Disadvantages • Can not model cable sag and • Unstable in Static Structural – needs initial
proper loading as accurately tension (inistate)
• Can not model complex curvature • Longer more complicated runs –
of rope around spool, guide, etc. convergence issues
Tips • Use Tension Only option to prevent • Tension only option is not always necessary
from taking compression since a pinned cable inherently can not take Tension only option showing collapse of link element –
compression as links buckle, but can be This can be reason for convergence issues
turned on to assure no tension forces.
• Use transient structural for cables that will or
can go slack
Best uses • Straight cables in line with loading, • Cables or ropes that sag, will have sliding
i.e. no sagging cables over complex guides, etc.
• Pinned Truss (think truss bridge)
Transient Dynamic shows behavior of pinned links
(contact not included)
Cable used to articulate – discussed in later KM
5 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. March 3, 2017
ACT Extension
• ACT Extension available for 16 and 17 releases
• Supports Initial strain (inistate command)
• May need to use commands for prior releases and customers who
can not use ACT extensions (company policy restrictions)
6 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. March 3, 2017
How to implement tension only cable in ANSYS Mechanical?
Search Keywords: tension cable mechanical
Customer Portal KM ID: 2044558
Use Line Body to model cable. Insert a Command Snippet under Line Body to define tension only element.
Example of Command Snippet:
ET,matid,LINK180 ! material number for this body is "matid"
SECTYPE,matid,LINK
SECDATA,0.01 ! set section area
SECCONTROL,0,1 ! set section to be tension only
7 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. March 3, 2017
Why does rigid body motion often occur with LINK180 elements?
Search Keywords: rigid motion link180
Customer Portal KM ID: 2045375
Answer:
LINK180 elements do not have any rotational DOFs. It is a 'truss' element. It does not have any bending
stiffness. If you only constrain one node, it can rotate/pivot about that point. Some ideas to consider:
1. Apply sufficient restraints to prevent rigid body rotation.
2. When meshing lines with link elements only use 1 element per edge. Without bending stiffness, multiple
links in series may have stability issues.
3. If a series of link elements are required, you may need to apply an initial tension to provide stability.
8 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. March 3, 2017
Can I use the tension or compression only options of Link180's without using large
deflection?
Search Keywords: tension only large deflection
Customer Portal KM ID: 2038832
Answer:
The documentation currently says:
To simulate the tension-/compression-only options, a nonlinear iterative solution approach is necessary; therefore, large-deflection
effects must be activated (NLGEOM,ON) prior to the solution phase of the analysis.
However, if you have small deflection but other non-linear features such as contact then an iterative solution will be triggered and the
element will be tension or compression only as specified.
However, the calculated force will only be based on small deflections. Therefore, large rotations are expected then the results will be
wrong.
The attached input file will run a single model and compare the forces against expected values. By commenting out the nlgeom,on the
predicted forces from the strain and the length change will not match.
9 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. March 3, 2017
When did LINK180 change to using section properties and also using a KEYOPT for
the tension/compression behavior?
Search Keywords: link180 tension properties
Customer Portal KM ID: 2026543
Answer:
LINK180 had used real constants of AREA, ADDMASS, and TENSKEY (0 tens and comp, 1
tens. only, -1 comp. only) in Release 14.0 and earlier releases. At Release 14.5 it was
changed to use sections and the keyopt but it was not noted in the release notes.
Note: At 17 release, TENSKEY is now in seccontrol, not in keyopt
10 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. March 3, 2017
How to apply an initial stress state to link elements (LINK180 or LINK10)?
Search Keywords: initial stress link180
Customer Portal KM ID: 2040086
Solution:
APDL Input files (Not Mechanical).
11 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. March 3, 2017
How can we simulate tension-only truss members?
Search Keywords: tension only truss
Customer Portal KM ID: 2039634
12 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. March 3, 2017
How can we simulate truss (i.e. axial behavior only) elements?
Search Keywords: truss axial elements
Customer Portal KM ID: 2039635
13 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. March 3, 2017
How can I simulate a cable or rope articulating a body while it is sliding through a
guide or sleeve?
Search Keywords: cable sliding guide
Customer Portal KM ID: 2046912
Context: User looking for detailed explanation of
implementing capability in Mechanical via
commands.
Solution: See pdf and wbpz files
14 © 2015 ANSYS, Inc. March 3, 2017