Hey guys!
I'm wondering about the connection between a N2N anchor and a plate, if it is automatically created as rigid. If you see the red circle part, that the connection between my strut and sheet pile wall and they will be in reality welded together. So I want to model this welded connection in Plx as well. Is this automatic in Plx to set the connection between the N2N anchor and the plate elements to be rigid? (I read in manual that between N2N anchor and embedded beam, it's automatic) Or do I need to use a "Connection" element to model the welding myself? But it doesn't let me to create a connection between N2N anchor and plate.
Thanks a lot for help!
Hello Xuyan Liu,
The connection is by default established between the node-to-node anchor and the plate. However, I would not call it rigid as there is no rotation transferred to the node-to-node anchor from the plate. However, any movement the plate(s) will do, the node-to-node anchor will be subjected to tension (or compression) depending on the case.
Therefore, you do not need to create any connection type. This is only possible with plate-to-plate connections.
Note that the node-to-node anchor is a two-node spring element and it can only be subjected to tensile and compressive forces. There is no structural element present in the space in between.
Hey Stefanos,
thanks a lot! I understand that an anchor in Plx will only be subjected tension or compression and I can't check the moment of an anchor in Plx. But I'm still a bit confused... So in this case, if I just simply put the N2N anchor and plate together as shown in the screenshot, is it enough to represent the welding effect (the strut and the sheet pile wall are welded in reality)? Or is Plx treating the connection between the plate and N2N anchor now as hinged?
If it's treated as hinged, is there any way I can take into account the welding effect?
Thanks!
Dear Xuyan Liu,
The connection between a Node-to-Node anchor and anything else is by definition a hinge, there is no way to change that.
If you would like to model the welding effect the solution would be to use a plate element as your anchor.
With kind regards,
Dennis Waterman