*PlanarJoint() - planar joint (plane)

Creates a planar joint parallel to a specified plane.

Syntax

*PlanarJoint(joint_name,"joint_label",body_1, body_2, origin, INPLANE, POINT|VECTOR point_1|vector_1, POINT|VECTOR, point_2|vector_2)

Arguments

joint_name
The variable name of the planar joint.
Data type: varname
joint_label
The descriptive label of the planar joint.
Data type: label
body_1
The first body constrained by the planar joint.
Data type: Body
body_2
The second body constrained by the planar joint.
Data type: Body
origin
The location of the planar joint.
Data type: Point
INPLANE
A required argument when two points, two vectors, or a point and a vector are used to define the plane of the planar joint.
POINT|VECTOR
A keyword that indicates the alignment method.
point_1|vector_1
An entity variable referring to a Point or Vector which is based on the above keyword.
Data type: Point or Vector
POINT|VECTOR
A keyword that indicates the alignment method.
point_2|vector_2
An entity variable referring to a Point or Vector which is based on the above keyword.
Data type: Point or Vector

Example

*Body "First body", p_1)
(body_1,
*Body "Second body", p_2)
(body_2,
*Point "First point")
(point_1,
*Vector "Global X")
(v_X,
*Vector "Global Z")
(v_Z,
*PlanarJoint(j_planar, "Planar joint", body_1, 
                                       body_2, 
                                       point_1, 
                                       INPLANE, 
                                       VECTOR
                                       v_X, 
                                       VECTOR, 
                                       v_Z)

Context

*BeginMdl()

*DefineAnalysis()

*DefineSystem

Properties

Table 1.
Property Returns Data Type Description
b1 Body The first body constrained by the planar joint.
b2 Body The second body constrained by the planar joint.
i Marker The marker on b1.
id long integer Solver identification number.
j Marker The marker on b2.
label string The descriptive label of the planar joint.
state boolean Control state (TRUE or FALSE).
type string Unique joint type.
varname string The variable name of the planar joint.

Comments

A planar joint constrains two bodies so as to restrict relative motion between the two bodies to the xy plane and allow relative rotation about the z-axis only. The joint plane may be defined by either specifying the normal to the plane (using the NORMAL flag for the sixth argument) or specifying three points (or vectors) lying in the plane (using the INPLANE flag for the sixth argument).

When a point is used (instead of a vector) to define an axis, it is obtained as the direction from the origin of the joint to the specified point.