Multiple Joint Sets

When you are defining joint networks, RS2 allows complete flexibility for defining multiple joint networks / joint sets in different regions of a model, or within individual regions of a model. The possibilities are summarized below.

Multiple Joint Networks

Different joint networks can be applied to different regions of a model, or to an individual region of a model. Simply use the Add Joint Network option to define each network, and apply the network to the desired region(s).

Multiple joint networks are allowed within a single region, as long as joint boundaries do not overlap exactly. If overlapping boundaries are detected, a warning message will appear, and redundant boundaries will be automatically deleted.

Multiple Joint Sets

A joint network in RS2 can represent a single joint set or multiple joint sets. Conversely, multiple joint sets can be defined as a single joint network, or as multiple joint networks.

• To define a joint network which consists of multiple joint sets, you can select the Use Multiple Joint Sets option in the Joint Network dialog, and define any number of individual joint sets, which collectively make up a joint network. This is described in the Add Joint Network topic.
• When you define multiple joint sets as a single joint network, ALL of the joint sets are considered to be part of the same network. This is relevant if you later wish to edit the joint network.
• You can also define multiple joint sets in one region of the model by repeating the Add Joint Network process, independently for each set. In this case, each joint set will be an independent joint network, in terms of the RS2 modeling definitions.
• Some joint models in RS2 inherently consist of multiple joint sets (e.g. the Cross Jointed model by definition consists of two intersecting joint sets)

Note on Terminology

The distinction between a joint network and a joint set in RS2 is somewhat arbitrary and depends on the modeling context.

• A joint network in RS2 can represent a single joint set or multiple joint sets.
• Multiple joint sets can be defined as a single joint network, or as independent joint networks (i.e. each set can be created as an independent joint network).

In general, a joint network may represent a grouping of several joint sets; whereas a joint set usually refers to a more specific grouping of joints with a particular orientation distribution, or other common attributes.