Create Mass Elements

Use the Masses tool to create 1D/0D mass elements.

A mass element rests on a node and is used to represent mass. Mass elements are element config 1 and are displayed as a dot with the letter M written at the centroid of the element.

Use the controller to assign mass values to nodes. You can select any number of nodes, which do not need to be contiguous. This creates a new mass element and, where applicable, the mass value or referenced property at each of the selected nodes.

Figure 1.

1. From the 1D ribbon, select the Masses 0D or Masses 1D tool.

   
   
   Figure 2.

2. Define the element.

   Option	Action
   Type	Select the element types that can serve as mass elements. The available types depending on selected solver interface.
   Linear 1D	Create one-dimensional elements based on a projection of Elems A to Elems B.
   Elems A	Select the elements where you want the elements to begin. Restriction: Only available when the Linear 1D check box is selected.
   Elems B	Select the elements where you want the elements to end. Restriction: Only available when the Linear 1D check box is selected.
   Nodes	Select the node(s) where you want to create a mass element.
   Mass	Specify the magnitude of the mass applied to the element. Note: This field is applicable to certain mass element types where mass is directly input on element definition.
   Density A-B	Specify the number of mass elements you want created between each of the selected elements. Restriction: Only available when the Linear 1D check box is selected.
   Property	Select a property to assign to new and existing mass elements.
   System	Select a coordinate system for the newly created or updated mass elements.

3. Click Create.