Masses
You can add mass to a model to make it match a known value, such as the mass of the actual assembly. Adding mass can account for nonstructural features or other details that are not included in the model but whose mass may affect the analysis results. Masses are added in a Masses objects set. The following mass tools are available in Abaqus for CATIA V5 for structural analysis:
Creating Mass Sets: Creates the Masses objects set required before you can add mass objects to the analysis case.
Creating Distributed Masses: Applies a distributed mass to a geometry selection. This tool is also used to define point masses.
Creating Line Mass Densities: Applies a mass per unit length to a geometry selection.
Creating Surface Mass Densities: Applies a mass per unit area to a geometry selection.
Creating Distributed Masses and Inertias: Applies a distributed mass and inertia to a virtual part.
You apply environmental actions, such as masses, to supports (geometrical features) on your model. The supports that are available include points/vertices, curves/edges, surfaces/faces, or volumes/parts. In addition, point, line, or surface groups are also valid supports. You can either select the support and then set the mass specifications or set the mass specifications and then select the support.
Abaqus for CATIA V5 uses the same mass tools that are available in the Generative Structural Analysis workbench. In some cases GPS allows the use of supports that are not useful in an Abaqus analysis. If you select a support that Abaqus cannot use, it will generate an error message when the input file is written. Table 9–4 summarizes the supports to which each type of mass can be applied for an Abaqus analysis.
