WORKSHOP 5

Rigid Element Analysis with

RBE2 and CONM2

Y
Y
Z
Z

Objectives:
Idealize a rigid end using RBE2 elements.
Define a concentrated mass, to represent the weight of the
rigid enclosure (CONM2).
Produce a Nastran input file that represents the tube.
Submit the file for analysis in MSC.Nastran.
Find the displacement vectors.

MSC.Nastran 101 Exercise Workbook

5-1

5-2

MSC.Nastran 101 Exercise Workbook

Rigid Element Analysis with RBE2 and CONM2

WORKSHOP 5

Model Description:
The goal of this example is to maintain a circular cross section at the
rigid end of the tube, (using a RBE2 element), while applying a
gravitational force of 2.7g in the z-direction.
Additionally, a concentrated mass needs to be defined to represent the
weight of the rigid enclosure. It is very important to account for all the
weight contribution since inertial loading is used in this problem.
Below is a Finite Element representation of the tube. One end of the
tube is considered rigid, and the other end is fixed in all translational and
rotational degrees of freedom. Table 5.1 contains all the necessary
parameters to construct the input file.
Figure 5.1 - Grid Coordinates and Element Connectivities.
25
26
27
28
29
30

24

36

35

23 34

47

33

999
53

48
54
60

59

58

57

13

8
49

Figure 5.2 - Loads and

Boundary Conditions

14

43

50

10
51

11
52

12

16

31

15

44

45

17

46

18

22

21 32

20

19

1
2

55

61

123456(CID=1)
123456(CID=1)
123456(CID=1)
123456(CID=1)

56

62

123456(CID=1)

123456(CID=1)

63

123456(CID=1)

123456(CID=1)
123456(CID=1)
123456(CID=1)

64

65

66

500 lb lumped mass

Applied Load = 2.7g in z-axis

Table 5.1 - Model Properties

Radius:

15 in

Thickness:

0.125 in

Length:

90 in

Elastic Modulus:

10E+06 lb/in2

Poisson Ratio:

0.3

Density:

0.101 lbs/in3

MSC.Nastran 101 Exercise Workbook

5-3

Suggested Exercise Steps:

Explicitly generate a finite element representation of the cylinder
structure i.e., the nodes (GRID) and element connectivity (CQUAD4)
should be defined manually.
Define material (MAT1) and element (PSHELL) properties.
Idealize the top enclosure as a rigid element (RBE2).
Apply the fixed boundary constraints (SPC1).
Apply a concentrated mass of 500 lbs at the center of the top enclosure
(CONM2), and a gravitational force of 2.7g in the Z-direction
(GRAV).
Generate an Input file and submit it to the MSC.Nastran solver for
linear static analysis.
Prepare the model for linear static analysis (SOL 101), and PARAM,
WTMASS, 0.00259 (see 6-4 for format).
Review the results, specifically the displacements along the top edges.

5-4

MSC.Nastran 101 Exercise Workbook

WORKSHOP 5

Rigid Element Analysis with RBE2 and CONM2

ID SEMINAR,PROB5
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________

CEND
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
BEGIN BULK

MSC.Nastran 101 Exercise Workbook

5-5

5-6

MSC.Nastran 101 Exercise Workbook

10

WORKSHOP 5

Rigid Element Analysis with RBE2 and CONM2

3

ENDDATA

MSC.Nastran 101 Exercise Workbook

5-7

10

Exercise Procedure:
1.

Users who are not utilizing MSC.Patran for generating an

input file should go to Step 10, otherwise, proceed to Step 2.

2.

Open the database prob4.db from the previous exercise.

File/Open...
Database Name

prob4

OK
Whenever possible click Auto Execute (turn off).
3.

Choose a right side view using the Right Side View icon on the toolbar.
Right Side View

4.

First, you must delete the old MPC from the previous exercise. Be
careful not to delete any associated nodes.
Finite Elements
Action:

Delete

Object:

MPC

Delete Related:

5-8

Nodes (turn off)

List of MPCs:

MPC 1:10

Apply

(see Fig 5.3)

MSC.Nastran 101 Exercise Workbook

WORKSHOP 5

Rigid Element Analysis with RBE2 and CONM2

Figure 5.3- List of MPCs

MPC 1:10

Node 6:36:6,48:66:6
5.

Create the rigid element.

Finite Elements
Action:

Create

Object:

MPC

Type:

RBE2

Define Terms...
Create Dependent
Node List

Node 6:36:6, 48:66:6

You can type the nodes into the list directly or you can screen select it
by selecting the nodes on the left edge of the model. Be sure to remove
Node 999 from your list. See Fig. 5.3
Select DOFs by holding the Shift key down while clicking with the left
mouse button.
DOFs:

UX
UY
UZ

Apply
Create Independent
Node List:

Node 999

Apply
MSC.Nastran 101 Exercise Workbook

5-9

Cancel
Apply
6.

Now you will create the concentrated mass.

Rotate to Iso 1 view using icon
Iso 1 View
First, create a point element.
Finite Elements
Action:

Create

Object:

Element

Method:

Edit

Shape:

Point

Node 1 =

Node 999

Apply
Now assign the mass a value.
Properties
Action:

Create

Dimension:

0D

Type:

Mass

Property Set Name:

mass

Option(s):

Lumped

Input Properties...
Mass:
OK

5-10

MSC.Nastran 101 Exercise Workbook

500

WORKSHOP 5

Rigid Element Analysis with RBE2 and CONM2

Once you have clicked in the Select Members databox select the Point
Element icon, then screen select Element 51.
Point Element
Select Members:

Elm 51

Add
Apply
7.

Next you will create a new gravitational load.

Loads/BCs
Action:

Create

Object:

Inertial Load

Type:

Element Uniform

New Set Name:

grav_load

Input Data...
Load/BC Set Scale Factor:

386.4

Trans Accel <A1 A2 A3>

<0, 0, 2.7>

OK
Apply
8.

Now you must modify the load case by adding grav_load and removing
applied_moment from the Default load case.
Load Cases
Action:

Modify

Highlight the Default under Select Load Case to Modify then

unhighlight Force_applied_moment under Assigned Load/BC Sets.
Select Load Case to Modify

Default

The applied_moment in the spreadsheet can be removed as follows:

MSC.Nastran 101 Exercise Workbook

5-11

Under Assigned Load/BCs:

Click the applied_moment
Remove Selected Rows
OK
Apply
9.

Now you are ready to run the analysis.

Analysis
Action:

Analyze

Object:

Entire Model

Method:

Analysis Deck

Jobname

prob5

Translation Parameters...
Data Output:

XDB and Print

OK
Solution Type...
Solution Type

Linear Static

Solution Parameters...
Wt-Mass Conversion =

0.00259

OK
OK
Under Subcases Selected, be certain that Output_1 is still selected
Apply
An MSC.Nastran input file called prob5.bdf will be generated. This
process of translating your model into an input file is called the Forward
Translation. The Forward Translation is complete when the Heartbeat
turns green.

5-12

MSC.Nastran 101 Exercise Workbook

WORKSHOP 5

Rigid Element Analysis with RBE2 and CONM2

Generating an Input File for MSC.Nastran Users:

MSC.Nastran users can generate an input file using the data from Table
5.1. The result should be similar to the output below.
10.

MSC.Nastran Input File: prob5.dat

ID SEMINAR, PROB5
SOL 101
TIME 600
CEND
SET 1 = 6,12,18,24,30,36,48,54,60,66
ECHO = NONE
MAXLINES = 999999999
SUBCASE 1
SPC = 1
LOAD = 1
DISPLACEMENT(SORT1,REAL)=1
BEGIN BULK
PARAM, POST, 0
PARAM
WTMASS .00259
PSHELL
1
1
.125
1
CQUAD4
1
1
1
2
=
*1
=
*1
*1
=3
CQUAD4
6
1
7
8
=
*1
=
*1
*1
=3
CQUAD4
11
1
13
14
=
*1
=
*1
*1
=3
CQUAD4
16
1
19
20
=
*1
=
*1
*1
=3
CQUAD4
21
1
25
26
=
*1
=
*1
*1
=3
CQUAD4
26
1
31
32
=
*1
=
*1
*1
=3
CQUAD4
31
1
43
44
=
*1
=
*1
*1
=3
CQUAD4
36
1
49
50
=
*1
=
*1
*1
=3
CQUAD4
41
1
55
56
=
*1
=
*1
*1
=3
CQUAD4
46
1
61
62
=
*1
=
*1
*1

8
*1

1
7
*1

14
*1

13
*1

20
*1

19
*1

26
*1

25
*1

32
*1

31
*1

44
*1

43
*1

50
*1

49
*1

56
*1

55
*1

62
*1

61
*1

2
*1

1
*1

MSC.Nastran 101 Exercise Workbook

5-13

=3
MAT1
RBE2
+
C
CONM2
GRID
=
=4
GRID
=
=4
GRID
=
=4
GRID
=
=4
GRID
=
=4
GRID
=
=4
GRID
=
=4
GRID
=
=4
GRID
=
=4
GRID
=
=4
GRID
SPC1
+
A
GRAV
CORD2C
+
B
ENDDATA

5-14

1
52
36
51
1
*1

10.+6
999
48
999
1
=

.101
12
66

18

15.
=

.3
6
60
500.
0.
=

0.
*18

1
=

7
*1

1
=

15.
=

36.
=

0.
*18

1
=

13
*1

1
=

15.
=

72.
=

0.
*18

1
=

19
*1

1
=

15.
=

108.
=

0.
*18

1
=

25
*1

1
=

15.
=

144.
=

0.
*18

1
=

31
*1

1
=

15.
=

-180.
=

0.
*18

1
=

43
*1

1
=

15.
=

-144.
=

0.
*18

1
=

49
*1

1
=

15.
=

-108.
=

0.
*18

1
=

55
*1

1
=

15.
=

-72.
=

0.
*18

1
=

61
*1

1
=

15.
=

-36.
=

0.
*18

1
=

999
1
43
1
1
1.

1
123456
49
0

0.
1
55
386.4
0.
0.

0.
7
61
0.
0.

90.
13
0.
0.

0.

123
54

MSC.Nastran 101 Exercise Workbook

24

30

1
19

25

31

2.7
0.

0.

1.

WORKSHOP 5

Rigid Element Analysis with RBE2 and CONM2

Submitting the Input File for Analysis:

11.

Submit the input file to MSC.Nastran for analysis.

11a. To submit the MSC.Patran .bdf file for analysis, find an
available UNIX shell window. At the command prompt
enter: nastran prob5.bdf scr=yes. Monitor the run using
the UNIX ps command.
11b. To submit the MSC.Nastran .dat file for analysis, find an
available UNIX shell window. At the command prompt
enter: nastran prob5.dat scr=yes. Monitor the run using
the UNIX ps command.

12.

When the run is completed, edit the prob5.f06 file and search for
the word FATAL. If no matches exist, search for the word
WARNING. Determine whether existing WARNING messages
indicate modeling errors.

13.

While still editing prob5.f06, search for the word:

D I S P L A C E M E N T (spaces are necessary)

For Point IDs 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 48, 54, 60, and 66
T3

_________________

MSC.Nastran 101 Exercise Workbook

5-15

Comparison of Results:
14.

5-16

Compare the results obtained in the .f06 file with the results on the
following page.

MSC.Nastran 101 Exercise Workbook

6
12
18
24
30
36
48
54
60
66

POINT ID.
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G

TYPE
6.026367E-18
1.434853E-20
-6.003150E-18
-9.727650E-18
-9.736518E-18
-6.026367E-18
-1.434853E-20
6.003150E-18
9.727650E-18
9.736518E-18

T1

T2

T3
1.147170E-03
1.147170E-03
1.147170E-03
1.147170E-03
1.147170E-03
1.147170E-03
1.147170E-03
1.147170E-03
1.147170E-03
1.147170E-03

V E C T O R

-7.202371E-18
-9.165118E-18
-7.219238E-18
-2.107991E-18
4.216300E-18
9.337972E-18
1.130072E-17
9.354839E-18
4.243592E-18
-2.080699E-18

D I S P L A C E M E N T

2.371692E-20
2.812149E-19
2.782768E-19
-4.760085E-19
5.421011E-20
2.236167E-19
-2.117582E-19
-4.065758E-19
8.470329E-21
-1.016440E-19

R1

4.927580E-06
4.927580E-06
4.927580E-06
4.927580E-06
4.927580E-06
4.927580E-06
4.927580E-06
4.927580E-06
4.927580E-06
4.927580E-06

R2

-8.470329E-21
3.134022E-20
3.072190E-19
-2.834296E-19
2.710505E-19
1.418780E-19
-9.571472E-20
1.973057E-19
2.032879E-20
1.285372E-19

R3

WORKSHOP 5

Rigid Element Analysis with RBE2 and CONM2

MSC.Nastran 101 Exercise Workbook

5-17

15. MSC.Nastran Users have finished this exercise.

MSC.Patran Users should proceed to the next step.
16.

Proceed with the Reverse Translation process, that is attaching the

prob5.xdb results file into MSC.Patran. To do this, return to the
Analysis form and proceed as follows:
Analysis
Action:

Attach XDB

Object:

Result Entities

Method:

Local

Select Results File...

Selected Results File:

prob5.xdb

OK
Apply
Set the default_group to current:
Group/Set Current...
Set Current Group:

default_group

Cancel
17.

When the translation is complete, bring up the Results form.

Results
Action:

Create

Object:

Deformation

Select Result Case(s):

Default, A2:Static Subcase

Select Deformation Result:

Displacements, Translational

Show As:

Resultant

To change the target entities of the plot, click on the Target Entities
icon.
Target Entities

5-18

MSC.Nastran 101 Exercise Workbook

WORKSHOP 5

Rigid Element Analysis with RBE2 and CONM2

Target Entity:

Groups

Select Groups:

default_group

To change the display attributes of the plot, click on the Display

Attributes icon.
Display Attributes

Show Undeformed
Render Style:

Wireframe

Line Style:
To change the plot options, click on the Plot Options icon.
Plot Options

Coordinate Transformation:

CID

Select Coordinate Frame:

Coord 1

Apply
You may reset the graphics if you click on this icon:
Reset Graphics
You can go back and select any Results Case, Fringe Results or
Deformation Results you are interested in.

Quit MSC.Patran when you are finished with this exercise.

MSC.Nastran 101 Exercise Workbook

5-19

5-20

MSC.Nastran 101 Exercise Workbook