Remote Forces

Note: The information in this section applies to linear and nonlinear structural analyses. Specifically, Remote Force loads are supported in the following analysis types:

Linear:

• Static Stress with Linear Material Models
• Natural Frequency (Modal) with Load Stiffening
• Transient Stress (Direct Integration)
• Critical Buckling

Nonlinear:

• Mechanical Event Simulation (MES) with Nonlinear Material Models
• Static Stress with Nonlinear Material Models
• MES Riks Analysis

What does a Remote Force do?

• Simulates the effects of a force applied at a point in space that is not on the model.
• Remote Forces are only applicable to model surfaces.
• The nodal reaction forces that would occur at the model due to the remote force are calculated, and nodal forces are applied to all of the nodes along the selected surface or surfaces.
• Remote Forces differ from Remote Loads and Constraints, in which automatically-generated line elements connect the model to a point in space, and a single nodal load or constraint is applied at the remote point .

Important: When a Remote Force is applied to multiple surfaces, the specified load is NOT distributed over all of the selected surfaces, with each surface receiving only a portion of the load magnitude. Rather, the full specified force is distributed over each of the individual selected surfaces. For example, if a 200N force is applied to three surfaces, the total applied load is 600N (200N per surface times 3 surfaces). If you need a single load magnitude at a point in space to be distributed over multiple surfaces, use the Remote Loads and Constraints command instead of the Remote Force command.

Apply a Remote Force

1. Select one or more surfaces where the remote force will act on the model. For example, choose the mounting surfaces for a motor bracket that is not included in the model. Remote forces can be used to apply the effects of the motor and bracket weight, plus any operating loads, at the selected mounting surfaces.
2. Click the Setup Loads Remote Force ribbon command. Or, right-click in the display area and choose Add Surface Remote Force from the context menu.
3. Specify the force Magnitude.
4. Specify the location of the remote point by one of the following two methods...
   • Type the coordinates in the X, Y, and Z input fields, or
   • Click the Point Selector button and then pick a vertex on the model. This method works if a construction vertex has been added at the remote force location. It also is useful if the desired point is at a known offset from an existing model vertex. In the latter case, adjust one or two of the coordinates to reflect the location offset after choosing the reference vertex.
5. Specify the direction of the load by one of the following three methods...
   • Activate an X, Y, or Z radio button to specify a global axis direction.
   • Activate the Custom radio button and enter the components of a unit direction vector in the X, Y, and Z input fields.
   • Click the Vector Selector button and then click two points on the model in succession to indicate the desired vector direction.
6. Specify the Load Case / Load Curve number. Optionally, click the Curve button to define a load curve for nonlinear analyses.
7. Click OK to apply the force and close the Remote Force Object dialog box.