What describes the difference between Fixed and Immovable boundary conditions in SOLIDWORKS Simulation?

Fixed and immovable boundary conditions in SOLIDWORKS Simulation serve to constrain the movement of a model, but they apply differently depending on the type of element being analyzed, such as solids, shells, or beams.

Fixed boundary conditions completely restrict all degrees of freedom for the specified nodes, meaning they cannot translate or rotate in any direction. This applies uniformly to solids, shells, and beams.

Immovable boundary conditions, on the other hand, can impose restrictions that might not cover all degrees of freedom uniformly, particularly when considering the different nature of stresses in various element types. For example, shells and beams, which are more flexible in their own planes but can offer reduced resistance to certain loading types, may respond differently under an immovable condition compared to solids.

Hence, while both fixed and immovable conditions can contribute to the support and stability in a simulation, their implications can differ notably for shells and beams versus solids. This distinction is essential when setting up simulations to ensure proper results as the constraints lead to varying responses depending on the elements’ properties and types.