Hi,

I am trying to simulate a biaxial tension state on a thin square membrane (modelled with shell elements). The tension is applied through cords that run through "slots" in the membrane. The slots are modelled as reference points kinematically coupled to nodes on the shell. I want the cords to be able to slide through the reference points, so I am using Slip Ring connector elements to model the cords. However, when I run the job, I see errors saying "zero pivot for DOF 10" at all the interior reference points. I specified zero material flow (DOF-10 = 0) at the corner points.

The simulation runs fine when I specify DOF-10 = 0 at the reference points but that is not my aim.
Can someone let me know whether Abaqus/Standard does not allow a nonzero material flow in sliprings?

Is there another way of modelling sliding cords?

Thank you very much!

Regards,

Harsha.