Hi,
I created a FEM model for testing, which simulates the connection of a metal cantilever beam to a metal square hollow section (SHS) column.The connection is made with a single non-prestressed bolt that passes through the SHS column and is bolted on the back side.The geometry was designed in AutoCAD and imported into PrePoMax as series of STL files.I edited the model in PrePoMax 2.4.3 defining unilateral contact surfaces (without any pretension to the bolt), and although the model is extremely unstable, it ran normally and gave me results.My problem is that after saving it, the next day when I tried to open it to improve it (e.g., mesh densification) using the same PrePoMax 2.4.3, it displays this message: “Error - The parameters could not be evaluated. Check the parameter equations.”. The model opens but has lost most of its elements (all the geometry, and from the FE mesh, essentially only the column remains).
I tried opening a copy with version 2.4.4, but it shows the same issue.Unfortunately I can’t I attach the pmx file because it is large (33 MB). I’m attaching an image of the remaining model after the crash, and an image of the geometry inserted to the PrePoMax.
I’d be very grateful if you could share any thoughts on the possible cause of this problem.
Thank you in advance.
George Nikolaidis
