Structural Simulation with CTE: Multiple Solid and Shell Interfaces

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Hello,

<Geometry> I am trying to simulate a geometry which comprises of multiple stacks of rectangular cross section layers composed of 3D solids (~20 to 40 microns) and shells (~2 microns). There are various interfaces in this geometry across its thickness, which connect solid to shell, shell to shell, solid to solid & shell to solid. The width for all entire geometry is 4 mm and length is 20 mm.

<Problem Statement> I am trying to simulating thermal stress and strain between the various layers as per CTE. I have set the fixed constraint for the bottom most layer. I have also used Rigid Motion Suppression on solid and shell domains.

<Issue> While computing the stress, in the results the corner points exhibit exceptionally high concentrations.

Regards,



1 Reply Last Post 2026/03/10 6:09 GMT-4
Henrik Sönnerlind COMSOL Employee

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Posted: 3 hours ago 2026/03/10 6:09 GMT-4

There are at least four problems in your model:

1) You cannot mix Rigid Motion Suppression with other constraints like Fixed Constraint.
2) You cannot have more than one Rigid Motion Suppression in the model.
3) The connection between solid and shell should be of the type Shared Boundaries, not Parallel Boundaries since the shell elements share faces with the solids.
4) For a thin plate structure like this, it is better to use hex elements, swept in the thickness direction.

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Henrik Sönnerlind
COMSOL
There are at least four problems in your model: 1) You cannot mix Rigid Motion Suppression with other constraints like Fixed Constraint. 2) You cannot have more than one Rigid Motion Suppression in the model. 3) The connection between solid and shell should be of the type Shared Boundaries, not Parallel Boundaries since the shell elements share faces with the solids. 4) For a thin plate structure like this, it is better to use hex elements, swept in the thickness direction.

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