Applying loads

All loads use Heads Up Display (HUD) and grips to define the inputs easily. More complex settings are available in the dialog boxes. When you select Use HUD in Application option in the Frame Analysis Settings dialog box , Heads Up Display is used as default input and edit method.

Loads are part of the boundary conditions you define for the simulation. There are various load types that can be applied. The available load types are:

Access	Load Type	Inputs	Used to...
	Force	Beam or node	Apply a force of the specified magnitude to the selected beam or node.
	Continuous Load	Beam	Apply a load of the specified magnitude around the axis and perpendicular to the beam or node.
	Moment	Beam or node	Apply a load of the specified magnitude around the axis and perpendicular to the beam or node.
	Axial Moment	Beam	Apply a load of the specified magnitude in the plane perpendicular to the beam axis.
	Bending Moment	Beam	Apply a load of the specified magnitude in the plane parallel to the beam axis.

To apply a load:

1. In the Loads panel, click the load type that you want to apply. The applicable load dialog box displays. Or, you can select the position of load directly.
   Note: You can also right-click the Loads node in the browser and select the appropriate load type from the context menu.
2. The selector command is active so that you can immediately begin selecting inputs in the graphic region. Based on the load type, make the corresponding selection.
3. The selection displays a glyph indicating the direction in which the load is applied. If the load direction is not what you need, use the vector components in the expanded section (for applicable load types) to describe the direction.
4. To display a corresponding dialog box, right-click in the graphics window, and select More Options.

To apply a force

Apply a force of the specified magnitude to the selected beam or node.

On the ribbon, click Frame Analysis tab Loads panel Force . Select the appropriate beam or node to position the force. Hover the mouse button over the placement glyph in the graphics window, and set the Offset. You cannot set the offset when force is acting in a node. Hover the mouse button over the force glyph in the graphics window, and set the Magnitude. Hover the mouse button over the angle of plane glyph in the graphics window, and set the value. Angle of plane defines the angle in the XY plane. Hover the mouse button over the angle in plane glyph in the graphics window, and set the value. Angle in plane defines angle from the Z axis. In the dialog box, click the More button to apply force using vector components and specify assembly or a beam coordinate system. Select the Vector Components check box, enter values for Fx, Fy, Fz, and then click OK.

To apply a moment

Moment is applied around the beam axis in the specified plane. By default, the plane where moment is applied is perpendicular to the beam axis.

On the ribbon, click Frame Analysis tab Loads panel Moment . Select the appropriate beam or node to position the moment. Hover the mouse button over the placement glyph in the graphics window, and set the Offset. Hover the mouse button over the moment glyph in the graphics window, and set the Magnitude. Hover the mouse button over the angle of plane glyph in the graphics window, and set the value. Angle of plane defines the angle in the XY plane. Hover the mouse button over the angle in plane glyph in the graphics window, and set the value. Angle in plane defines angle from the Z axis. Optional: Right-click, and select More Options to display the Moment dialog box. In the dialog box, click the More button to apply moment by using vector components and specify assembly or a beam coordinate system. Select the Use Vector Components check box, enter values for Mx, My, Mz, and then click OK. Remove the check mark to cancel the selection.

To apply an axial moment

Use this procedure to apply axial moment on beams. Axial moment is applied in the plane perpendicular to the beam axis.

On the ribbon, click Frame Analysis tab Loads panel Axial Moment. Select the appropriate beam to position the axial moment. Hover the mouse button over the placement glyph in the graphics window, and set the Offset. Hover the mouse button over the axial moment glyph in the graphics window, and set the Magnitude. In the dialog box, click the More button to specify assembly or a beam coordinate system.

To apply a bending moment

Use this procedure to apply bending moment on beams. Bending moment is applied in the plane parallel to the beam axis.

On the ribbon, click Frame Analysis tab Loads panel Bending Moment . Select the appropriate beam to position the bending moment. Hover the mouse button over the placement glyph in the graphics window, and set the Offset. Hover the mouse button over the bending moment glyph in the graphics window, and set the Magnitude. Hover the mouse button over the angle of plane glyph in the graphics window, and set the value. Angle of plane defines the angle in the XY plane. In the dialog box, click the More button to apply moment using vector components and specify assembly or a beam coordinate system. Select the Use Vector Components check box, enter values for Mx, My, and then click OK. Remove the check mark to cancel the selection.