Modal Calculations Using the Rigid Virtual Part in the Catia v5 Finite Element Software

Abstract

The concept of “rigid” element was introduced into the commercial FEA software in the early sixties. The main role of such an element was to account for special connections such as welding, bolts, and specifying very stiff regions within the structure of interest.Such elements are the least “understood” and most “widely abused” features by users. This paper tries to address such an element within the confines of the Catia v5 commercial software with emphasis on modal and dynamic calculations.