Define Loading Sets
Description
A loading set is a collection of Basic Load Cases that can be designated as Active or Inactive. Only Active loading sets are analysed when the analysis is performed. Once analysed, a loading set's results remain available whether or not it is Active (unless the status of all load cases is reset following changes to the structural model).
Loading sets may be designated as Active or Inactive immediately prior to analysis, using the Activate Loading Sets form.
Using this feature the load cases can be analysed incrementally in small groups. This feature therefore simplifies the handling of load cases in large models, and allows certain aspects of a structure to be investigated one at a time without either losing the results from previous load cases, or keeping all the load cases and having to re-analyse them all each time.
A further advantage of this feature is that loading sets may be created that contain only those basic loads that are included in the compilations of interest. By analysing only those loading sets the analysis time is reduced.
Each time an influence surface load optimisation run is carried out, a new loading set is automatically created, and the load cases that are generated by the optimisation are added to the new loading set.
Outline Procedure
This form may be accessed from the Structure Loads Group Button in the Explorer Navigation Pane and then clicking the Open Loading Sets link in the Active Group Functions.
To create a loading set manually, click on the + (Add new loading set) button and specify a name for the new loading set. (A full description of the loading set and its contents and any other useful information can be entered in the 'Notes' box in plain text.)
The basic loading cases are listed in the left side column below the notes pane. The list can be set to contain either the full list of load cases defined, or only those load cases that are not in any loading set.
These load cases are assigned to the new loading set by moving them from the let side pane to the right side pane. This is achieved either by selecting and dragging, or by selecting and clicking on the left-to-right arrow button. (The double arrow button selects and moves all items from the left pane to the right pane).
The usual techniques apply for selecting items in the list (i.e. hold the Shift key down and select a range; hold the Ctrl key down to select or de-select an item without losing previous selections).
The Add to set by buttons may be used to transfer all the load cases of a given Load Type, Compilation, Envelope or Stage from the left pane to the current loading set. The available load types or compilations or envelopes or stages are displayed in a list when the button is pressed, and the required type may be selected from the list.
To delete the current loading set, click on the - (Delete existing loading set) button. The program will prompt to ask whether you also want to delete all the load cases contained in the deleted loading set.
To delete all the loading sets, click on the Remove All Sets button.
Form Graphic
Field Help
Loading Sets
Use this field to select a previously defined or generated loading set.
Set Name
The program always generates a short name that is used for identifying the loading set. The default name may be changed by entering an alternative name in the field.
Notes
A full description of the loading set and its contents and any other useful information can be entered in plain text in this box. Loading sets that are generated automatically by the loading optimisation process have details of the corresponding influence surface(s) in this field.
Add to set by: Load Type
Displays a list of all available load types. On selecting one then all Basic Loads that conform to the selected type are added to the Selected Load Cases.
Add to set by: Compilation
Displays a list of all defined compilations. On selecting one then all Basic Loads in that compilation are added to the Selected Load Cases.
Add to set by: Envelope
Displays a list of all defined envelopes. On selecting one then all Basic Loads in that envelope are added to the Selected Load Cases. If the envelope contains compilations then the Basic Loads included in those compilations are also added to the Selected Load Cases.
Add to set by: Stage
Displays a list of all defined construction stages. On selecting one then all Basic Loads added at that stage are added to the Selected Load Cases.
All Load Cases | Unassigned Load Cases
Controls whether the left hand pane lists all basic load cases or only those basic load cases that have not already been selected for the current loading set.
Stage
Displays a list of all construction stages defined to date. On selecting a stage then all the basic loads that are defined to be added at that stage (i.e. NOT including basic loads added at earlier stages) are added to the selected load cases.