Creo Simulate > Modeling Structure and Thermal Problems > Meshes > Native Mode Meshes > Creating an AutoGEM Mesh > Element Types > Mass and Spring Elements
  
Mass and Spring Elements
In Structure, you can add two special-purpose elements to your model—masses and springs. These elements provide you with the ability to idealize the behavior of your model more exactly. Here is a brief discussion of these two element types:
Mass—A mass element is a one-point element that you use to represent a concentrated mass without a specified shape. The mass of an object determines how that object resists translation and rotation. Mass elements:
have no effect on a static analysis unless the analysis includes a gravity load or a centrifugal load
do have an effect on a modal or dynamic analysis
You indicate that you want Creo Simulate to add masses to your model by creating mass idealizations.
Spring—A spring element represents a linear elastic spring connection that you can define from one point to another or from a point to ground. Springs:
provide stiffness at the locations where you place them
act as constraints in your model and, in some instances, may be all the constraint that you need. However, while a spring can remove degrees of freedom in one direction, it can allow freedom of movement in other directions. If you are using a point-to-ground spring, your model is fully constrained at the point where the spring connects to ground.
You indicate that you want Creo Simulate to add springs to your model by creating spring idealizations.