What is a rigid link
A rigid link is an infinitely stiff element that transfers forces. It displaces (moves) as a rigid body (it cannot deform).
Subsequently a rigid link has no cross-section or material. It’s not possible to show the results in a rigid link, although they contain forces!
In Diamonds, rigid links are represented by a dashed pink line.
Rigid links are used to simulate the force transfer between elements (that can be bars or surfaces) that cannot be simulated with the pre-existing functions: 
, 
and 
.
For example: to simulate a beam (blue line) connecting plates on a significant different level (see image above).
How to make a Rigid link
- Select the bars you want to define as a rigid link.
- Click on
. The rigid link is created.
How to remove a rigid link
- Select the relevant rigid links.
- Assign a random cross-section & material to the rigid links. This can be done for example with using the steel cross-sections library
. - The rigid links are transformed into a regular bar.
Alternative way to model rigid link-behaviour
The downside to rigid links is that it’s not possible to consult the internal forces in them.
As a work-around, you could model the rigid link as a regular bar, with
- a large cross-section (you can exaggerate)
- and a material with a high rigidity and neglectable self-weight
That way you make an rigid body in which you’ll be able to see the internal forces.
Any necessary boundary conditions at the bar ends, can be defined using the button 
.
