Linear Load

This option defines linear loads acting along a selected line defined on the planar FEs of a structure. Open the dialg by clicking in the Load Definition dialog.

This type of load acts on planar elements. It can also be distributed on bars, if it is applied to a cladding. If so, the load is distributed according to the trapezoidal and triangular method only.

The linear load is transferred onto all surface elements that are crossed by a line section connecting the beginning and end nodes (points A and B). The line defining the load does not have to coincide with the lines defined by the edges of the elements. You can define the segment in the following 2 ways:

Two load types can be applied along a defined segment: the linear load p and the load of a moment distributed along a defined segment m. Enter the values of these loads in the appropriate fields.

To define this type of load, you must specify the following data:

  1. The appropriate P or M load values in the direction of the X, Y, or Z axis of the global or local system given in points A and B.
  2. The location of points A and B. This can be done in the following ways: by entering the coordinates of these points or the node numbers of the existing planar finite elements.
Note: The beginning and end points of a segment to which a load is applied can lie outside of the structure.
Note: The elements to which this type of load is applied do not need to be specified, because Robot automatically points them out.

A load can be defined in the global coordinate or local coordinate system of an object. Also, you must decide whether a load is inclined (applies only to load definitions in the local coordinate system). If so, then you must specify the angle that the load deviates from the vertical.

Note: The local system of a load is associated with the local system of a line defined from point A to point B. The local system of a line is adopted as that for a bar with a beginning node A and end node B. The local system of a load is not associated with the object or the finite elements to which the load was applied.