A surface release allows structural decoupling of objects or certain forces of the objects connected to a surface. In addition, it is possible to define nonlinear contact properties.
Entering in RFEM
The input can be done using the menu "Insert" → "Special Objects" → "Surface Releases", or using the Navigator – Data in the category "Special Objects" → "Surface Releases".
First, specify the original surface, which is a basis for the surface release, in the "New Surface Release" dialog box. Then the suitable surface release type must be defined; in other words, the local directions in which the objects are released or have nonlinearities such as failure for only one direction. You can also use spring constants to define inclined releases. Finally, define the released objects.