Point or edge loads and constraints in FEA are not good things. In Creo Simulate they can cause convergence problems. If you think about how Stress is calculated, the basic equation is Force divided by Area. If the Area is zero, the Stress will be infinity. The MPA convergence algorithm will not converge on infinity and the SPA algorithm will ignore any elements touching a point or edge loads and constraints during its error estimation. The resulting stress convergence plot will be a line that continues to increase without ever starting to reach an asymptote. Sometimes the curve will diverge. The rule in Creo Simulate is “Don’t do this.” Always apply loads and constraints over an area for solid models.
The table below outlines when it is OK or not to apply point of edge loads and constraints.
