Beam section to solid

davefo

Victor

please see attached beam to beam bolted T connection. How do i model the change from beam section to solid section correctly

Dave

Victor

Here's a slightly simpler and probably more correct way from what I suggested before. It's a single thin element between the beam and the solid. It's joined to each with bonded contact. The bonded contact between the beam and this thin element spreads the beam's load over the entire face of the element.

The solution shows no visible bending at the connection so it's not too soft, and the beam element visibly follows the same slope and curvature as the solid mesh. I refined the beam element to capture this curved deformation.

davefo

excellent solution. thanks victor.

could this be done using a shell element?

Victor

I would think so. That sounds even easier.