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  3. Training Module #4: HyperX Entities

Training Module #4: HyperX Entities - Joints

HyperX Joints are the HyperX interpretation of a joining mechanism between two Zones – which can be Analyzed or Sized in the same manner as Zones.

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Structural joints are defined on the FEM with HyperX. Different FEA loads processing techniques are provided to analyze and design fastened, riveted, and bonded joints – concurrently with panels. Read more on the Feature Page on our main website, found here.

Types and Characteristics

There are two types of FEA Joints, based on the elements defining the membership:

  1. Point Joints - Contain at least one connector element (spring element, spring + RBE combination, etc.) and are used to represent a fastened or riveted connection.

    joint_pointjoint-example.png

  2. Edge Joints - Do not contain any connector elements, and physically exist on the boundary between Zones.

    joint_edgejoint-example.png

Characteristics

As HyperX Entities, Joints and Zones share many similarities but there are some key differences as well.

Zones

Point Joints

Edge Joints

Hierarchy

Live in one Structure

Implicitly in Structure(s) (based on attached Zones)

Property Assignment

Reference Design, Load, and Analysis Properties

Import from FEM

Define by a collection of shell or beam elements

Defined by spring element(s) (CBUSH/CON3D2)

Does not contain elements

FEM Export

Exported FEM includes new properties and materials based on sizing

Does not impact exported FEM

Optimization

Weight and producibility

Weight and user-defined priorities (e.g. decreasing fastener spacing before diameter)

Membership

The type of Joint and number of members affects both the load processing and design details.

Point Joints

Members are used to extract bypass forces and explicitly define the number of attached plates (single-shear, double-shear, etc.).

jointMembership

Edge Joints

Membership determines whether forces are extracted from one side of a boundary, the other, or both. Fastened joint designs are assumed to be splices vs. doublers based on membership.

oneAndTwoMemberJoints.png

Design Configurations

Bolted

image9.png

Bonded

bondedJointDesignConfigurations.png

Edge-Allowable

image11.png

Typical Applications

HyperX Joints can model fastened or bonded substructure (spars, ribs, stringers) as well as other structural joints. Some examples from HyperX's past use cases are depicted below.

typicalJointApp1
typicalJointApp2
typicalJointApp3
typicalJointApp4

HyperX Joints Workflow

reminderOfHyperXWorkflow.png

HyperX can Size Joints automatically or Analyze user-specified joint configurations. When analyzing a specific joint configuration, the user can define which variables are sized and which are fixed. For instance, materials and thicknesses can be sized alongside the rest of the Joint or "inherited" based on sizing results of attached Zones. Note that sizing these properties in the joint does not affect "acreage" results. Numerical values can be sized as either ranges (min, max, step) or a discrete list of options.

jointDesignDefinition

The standard Sizing method for Joints will find the minimum weight design with all positive margins. However, that solution may not be easily manufactured.

A Joint in Advanced Sizing mode allows a user to specify multiple options for each variable, as well as the order of operations HyperX should use when resolving margins. This allows you to tailor the Sizing process to find the solution that works best for your situation.

AdvSizingOverview.png

A few things to notice here:

  1. By clicking the "Sizing" and "Advanced" buttons, we set the Design Property to Advanced Sizing mode.

  2. Using the "Type" and "Selection(s)" columns, we can specify one or more options for each available input. For instance, we can specify multiple Fasteners to potentially choose during Sizing.

  3. The "Seq..." column is how we specify the order of operations HyperX will follow when trying to resolve margins with different variables. After each change, it will re-Analyze the Joint. If the margins are still negative, it will try the next variable in the list. If margins are still negative after all operations, HyperX starts over at the next value for the first variable in the sequence.

  4. The "Order" column specifies the start and procedure for stepping through a range of options for a variable (i.e. start at the max or min and step down or up, respectively). In the image above, as HyperX tries different fastener spacings based on these settings, it would start at 2 inches, then try 1.75, 1.5, 1.25, and 1 inch.

Given the example above, HyperX will:

  1. Decrease the spacing between fasteners.

  2. Add a row of fasteners.

  3. Try the next fastener.

  4. Repeat from Step 1, if necessary (i.e. there are still negative margins).

Tip

For more information and practical examples, see the Edge and Point Joint Training Examples.

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