# Flat-Joint Model Methods

The methods of the Flat-Joint Model model are shown below for reference. More detailed information regarding these methods is presented here.

flatjoint
area

Set the user_area property, fixing the contact area, from the current piece configuration.

bond <keyword ...>

Bond the element specified with the element or all elements if this keyword is not given.

element i

Bond element i.

gap f1 <f2 >

Bond contacts with the gap interval specified. If only one value is specified this is the upper bound of the interval. If two values are specified they correspond to the lower and upper bounds of the interval, respectively. By default the interval is $$(-\infty,0]$$.

deformability keyword ...

Set the deformability.

emod f

Specify the effective Young’s modulus.

kratio f

Normal-to-shear stiffness ratio.

initialize keyword ...

Initialize the force and moment.

force v

Local contact force.

moment fx fy fz (y- and z- components are 3D ONLY)

Local contact moment.

unbond <keyword>

Unbond the element specified with the element or all elements if this keyword is not given.

element i

Unbond element i.

gap f1 <f2 >

Unbond contacts with the gap interval specified. If only one value is specified this is the upper bound of the interval. If two values are specified they correspond to the lower and upper bounds of the interval, respectively. By default the interval is $$(-\infty,0]$$.