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Embedded regions

*Embedded region, <method>

Embedded regions couple guest elements to a continuum host without requiring a conforming mesh.

  • absorbed: perfect kinematic following. Guest degrees of freedom are prescribed from the host interpolation, and the guest elements do not contribute mechanical stiffness.
  • interaction: line coupling for trusses or beams. Distributed axial and lateral interface springs are integrated along the guest centreline. Typical applications are anchors, nails and very slender inclusions.
  • interaction-surface: three-dimensional beam coupling on an implicit cylindrical shaft surface and optional base disk. The formulation includes beam rotations, unilateral separation, tangential sliding, selectable capacity-pressure sources, nonlinear base mobilisation and an optional elastic ghost zone.
  • interaction-surface, section=plate: two-sided interaction surface of embedded shell elements (pile walls, sheet pile walls, monopiles modelled as shells). Both faces of the wall interact with the soil on their side through a unilateral contact with friction; the host elements cut by the wall are split, so that the soil on both sides of the wall deforms independently.

The Theory Manual describes the common host search and the mechanical assumptions of each method.