> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://tlcfem.gitbook.io/suanpan-manual/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://tlcfem.gitbook.io/suanpan-manual/element/special/translationconnector.md).

# TranslationConnector

Translation Connector Implemented via Penalty Method

## Syntax

### TranslationConnector2D

* Number of Nodes: 3
* Number of DoFs: 2 (Translation: UX, Translation: UY)

```
element TranslationConnector2D (1) (2) (3) (4) [5]
# (1) int, unique element tag
# (2) int, node i
# (3) int, node j
# (4) int, node k
# [5] double, penalty factor
```

### TranslationConnector3D

* Number of Nodes: 3
* Number of DoFs: 3 (Translation: UX, Translation: UY, Translation: UZ)

```
element TranslationConnector3D (1) (2) (3) (4) [5]
# (1) int, unique element tag
# (2) int, node i
# (3) int, node j
# (4) int, node k
# [5] double, penalty factor
```

## Theory

The schematic is shown as follows.

![TranslationConnector](https://1124082496-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FEquxr3H9WpPg4iPvT2mB%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-258535d47a270132e20fa6c4c0c739448cfa6200%2FTranslationConnector.svg?alt=media)

The initial position of node $$k$$ is not necessarily on the line defined by nodes $$i$$ and $$j$$.

The `TranslationConnector` will pull node $$k$$ to the (closest point of) line defined by nodes $$i$$ and $$j$$.

The ratio $$c$$ is computed according to the initial positions and remains constant during the analysis.


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