When using ANSYS Workbench for simulation, remote points are frequently used. Remote points can define load application points represented by a single node (or called a driver node), which can form scope association with geometry at any spatial position.
Remote points can have six degrees of freedom, used to simulate the behavioral characteristics and kinematic features of associated geometry. Remote points can be associated with vertices, edges, surfaces, solids, mesh nodes, or element faces.
Usually, remote points can be used in conjunction with remote boundary conditions and remote loads to simulate physical phenomena and behavioral characteristics, and to simplify various aspects of model handling.
I. What are the advantages of using remote points?
Shuige believes there are mainly two aspects:
1. Simplify solid model connection relationships
‘Simplifying connection relationships’ refers to simulating a phenomenon without completely constructing the geometric model involved in the physical phenomenon. This method can significantly reduce geometric modeling workload, simplify meshing processes, and shorten solving computation time, such as:
1) Using a mass point to equivalently represent a solid, i.e., mass element simulation
2) Establishing kinematic pair models
3) Using remote displacement to replace non-critical rigid body models
2. Enhance geometry degrees of freedom control capability
Remote points can have six degrees of freedom (three translational DOFs + three rotational DOFs). This also means users can manipulate degrees of freedom that cannot be directly obtained using conventional element types. For example, solid elements only have three translational degrees of freedom, but bending moments or torque loads that were originally impossible to apply to solids can be applied through remote points.
II. What are the methods to create remote points?
Currently, there are two ways to define remote points in Mechanical:
1. Create a remote point object separately
As shown below, right-click Model in the model tree and select Insert.
After insertion, users can make specific settings in the remote point properties, as shown below:
As long as users define a remote point, when subsequently defining remote displacement or remote force, they can select the already defined remote point. Additionally, for the same remote point, different boundary or load conditions can be defined repeatedly, and the two are processed additively.
2. Define remote conditions directly
In boundary conditions or model connection settings, users can directly select and insert related objects. After entry, determine the area to be applied, and the system will automatically create a remote point in the background without requiring any user operation. Currently, the following types can all use this method:
Point Mass, Thermal Point Mass, Joints, Spring, Bearing, Beam Connection, Remote Force, Moment, Remote Displacement
Generally speaking, both methods above can conveniently achieve remote point creation. As for which method to choose, it depends on whether users need to control the display or other operations of remote points.
III. How do remote points interact with structures?
The connection mechanism between remote points and scope geometry uses multi-point constraint equations. These equations are used to constrain the nodes on scope geometry with the driver node.
IV. Detailed explanation of remote point behaviors
After users create a remote point, they can set its behavior representation in the properties, mainly divided into four types: Rigid, Deformable, Coupled, Beam
Rigid: All nodes within scope geometry maintain zero relative displacement. This option is particularly applicable when the geometric structure represented by constraint equations significantly enhances model stiffness at connection points. This is a commonly used setting, equivalent to the APDL command CERIG.
Deformable: Allows scope geometry to freely deform. This is a general-purpose behavior mode where connection points can deform and the stiffness effects brought by simplified remote points are not considered. This option is widely used in practice, similar to the principle of RBE3 in APDL.
Regarding RBE3, everyone can refer to the following article: What are RBE2 and RBE3, and how to implement them in APDL?
Coupled: The scope nodes and remote point positions maintain the same degree of freedom solution results, equivalent to the CP command in APDL.
Beam: Connects remote points with scope nodes through linear massless beam elements (BEAM188). Material properties and radius for beams need to be defined, but the materials used do not include linear thermal expansion coefficient parameters.
The above is a detailed explanation of remote points. Now students should have a thorough understanding, right? Go practice!
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Best regards,
ANSYS Structural Institute
October 13, 2025
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