Gaps
 
A gap is a nonlinear element, used to model connection between points, edges and curves, or surfaces in your model by connecting two nodes in separated geometries. Gaps use the ProType field in the ProMechitem structure as PRO_SIMULATION_GAP.
Functions Introduced:
The function ProMechgapTypeGet() returns the type of gap for the specified Creo Simulate Gap.
The function ProMechgapReferencesGet() returns the geometric entities of the model that are selected to create the gap. Use the function ProMechgapReferencesSet() to set the valid geometric references for the specified gap.
The function ProMechgapSimpledataGet() returns the data structure for the Creo Simulate gap data. The Creo Simulate gap data structure defines the y-direction and the stiffness properties of the gap. Use the function ProMechgapSimpledataSet() to set the Creo Simulate gap data structure.
The function ProMechsimplegapdataAlloc() allocates memory for the Creo Simulate gap data structure.
ProMechsimplegapdataYdirectionGet() returns the orientation of the XY-plane of the gap. Use the function ProMechsimplegapdataYdirectionSet() to set the Y-direction of the gap data.
The function ProMechsimplegapdataDistributiontypeGet() returns the method used to calculate the axial and transverse stiffnesses for the gap data. The types of distribution are as follows:
PRO_MECH_GAP_DISTR_TOTAL—Specifies the sum of stiffness of all the contact elements.
PRO_MECH_GAP_DISTR_PER_UNIT—Specifies that the stiffness value is calculated using the area of the first selected surface.
Use the function ProMechsimplegapdataDistributiontypeSet() to set the distribution type for the gap data.
The function ProMechsimplegapdataAxialstiffnessGet() returns the axial stiffness for the gap. The axial stiffness defines a stiffness or spring factor. Use the function ProMechsimplegapdataAxialstiffnessSet() to set the axial stiffness for the gap.
The function ProMechsimplegapdataTransversestiffnessGet() returns the transverse stiffness for the gap. The transverse stiffness defines the elastic stiffness of the material. Use the function ProMechsimplegapdataTransversestiffnessSet() to set the transverse stiffness of the gap.
The function ProMechsimplegapdataClearanceGet() returns the distance between two nodes at which the axial and transverse stiffnesses are active due to displacement during analysis. Use the function ProMechsimplegapdataClearanceSet() to set the clearance for the gap data.
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