Node Attributes: Translational Mass

 

Description

Assigns point translational mass to selected nodes.

Translational mass attributes are independent of load and freedom cases.

Dialog

Mass X / Y / Z

One or three components of translational mass.

Mass Components

The translational mass components refer to the global coordinate system. There are two options:

Common Controls

Units

Mass (e.g., kg, tonne, lb).

Common Uses

The most common use of the point translational mass attribute is to include the inertia and self weight of non structural items of mass in a model.

For dynamic problems, it is sometimes useful to eliminate mass in certain directions. For example, consider the dynamic analysis of a bridge containing moving vehicles. The mass of the vehicles will influence vertical and lateral vibration modes, but may not influence longitudinal modes since the vehicles are free to slide in the longitudinal direction.

See Also