How to model an Articulating Pipe Support

Question

The Articulating Pipe Support contains two rotational points, how do you model the Articulating Pipe Support to allow free moment rotations at the two pivot locations as shown in the illustration below?

Phil Senior · Answer

Hello Kemal 
 I have a couple of approaches for the modeling of this articulating support. 
 1. Use YY end releases on the beam in the middle. 
 
 2. Use the Connected Anchor at the joints and reduce the stiffness to zero in the required directions. This feature has two use cases and one is to release restraint directions.

The motion isn't totally realistic because we do not currently consider the 2nd order effect or rod angulation. This is something we are working on and would force the motion to be in an arc due to the fixed length of the rod.