Self-Weight Load

Use this dialog to define self-weight loads acting in a particular direction for structure elements.

Access

• Click on the Self-weight and mass tab of the Load Definition dialog.

Action direction

Define the direction X, Y, or Z of the load caused by self-weight on the global axis of the coordinate system .

Opposite to axis sense

Select this option to indicate that the orientation of the self-weight load is opposite to the orientation of the selected axis of the global coordinate system.

Note: After body loads are defined, added masses are not considered when generating bar weight.

Factor

Specify an increment factor for a self-weight load record.

Note: This is useful when the equipment on a structure is not modeled accurately in a calculation model, but is accounted for by implementing a self-weight increment factor. You can also define this factor in the table for the self-weight load record.

Sequential Loading for Stories

Select this option to allow sequential self-weight functionality to build construction stages for each story. Results collect in a single load case. Deformations calculate without considering the stiffness of stories above a given story. The allows the reproduction of the construction process without the time-consuming task of creating phases.

Note: If a dead load has already been defined, such as DL1 for example, Robot automatically applies this dead load to all structure elements. This dead load acts in the Z axis direction of the global coordinate system and its rotation is opposite to this axis.

You can verify that this load has been applied in either of the following ways:

• The self-weight load is displayed in the Loads table.
• The Self-weight PZ for the whole structure icon is grayed out in the load definition dialog.

See also:

Comments concerning automatic assigning of a self-weight load to the whole structure