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Hi all.

This problem has nothing to do with course work but like many of you, I tend to take my free time projects too seriously. I am building a small shed behind my house and wanted to model the compression and tension forces for several roof truss designs I've seen. I've used Comsol for only a couple of class projecs but this seemed like a fun way to get into the program and learn more about how it works.

My problem is that in making the geometry, the bottom chord of my truss is intersected by the "king post" member, which basically connects the peak to the base of the triangle. At this intersection along the base, Comsol wants to put a hinge there, essentially allowing the two halves of the base of the triangle to rotate about the intersection. But I want to model it as if one continuous piece of material stretched across the entire span and the king post connected to this. Anyone know how to tell comsol to not put a joint there? This goes for any truss where you don't want a hinge at an intersection.

I've attached my file so you can see what I'm talking about.

Thanks for indulging in a fun, over-doing-it project.

Eric