Variable Loads Defined on Contours (3 points)

Use this dialog to define variable loads p, applied to a user-defined contour.

Access

• Click on the Surface tab of 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.

Values

Specifies load component values acting along the axes X, Y, or Z of the coordinate system.

A variable load can be defined by assigning load values in 2 or 3 points. These can be nodes of a defined planar FE or any points of defined coordinates.

The load distributed over the element surface can be applied to slab or shell structures. The load direction is defined with respect to the global coordinate axes. The load value at any point is then linearly interpolated or extrapolated on the basis of the load values assigned in selected points.

Coord. system

Specify whether the coordinate system should be global or local.

Projected load

Applies the load to the surface projected on a plane that is normal to the load direction, for each load component.

This applies to the global coordinate system only.

Automatic panel selection in the contour plane

Automatically detects the panels that lie in the plane of the defined contour and applies the load to them.

Note: This option disables the Direction of contour projection button.

Direction of contour projection

This is the direction along which the defined contour (to which the load is applied) is projected onto the plane of the slab or shell. Several methods of projection are available: perpendicular to the surface of the defined contour, along the X, Y, or Z axis of the local coordinate axis, and along a defined vector.

The defined contour does not need to lie in the plane of the slab or shell. The projection direction must be selected in such a way that the projected contour displays on the surface of the slab or shell.

Contour Definition

The contour to which a load is applied. This can be done using the dialog or graphically in the drawing area.

This part of the dialog also lets you open the Contour dialog by clicking .

Geometrical limits

Takes into account geometrical limits for the load.

Click Geometrical limits to set the geometrical limits for the load.

Note: Planar loads are normally applied to the surface of an entire panel. This option facilitates the load definition for curved panels such as, for example, cylinders created using the Extrude option.