Line Beam Loads

Where several beam elements are continuously connected in a straight line, set the end points of the line and enter the continuous beam load. The load type may be a distributed load or in-span concentrated loads. Modify or delete previously entered loads as necessary. Loads can be also applied to a curved continuous beam, which is located in the plane of the loading direction.

In addition, curvilinear distribution such as earth pressure can be loaded by using curved loads.

Eccentric loads can be applied to beam elements with reference to the GCS or ECS.

From the Main Menu select Load > Line Beam Loads.

Select Static Loads > Line Beam Loads in the Menu tab of the Tree Menu.

Load Case Name

Assign the load case name. Click to the right to enter, additional load cases and modify or delete existing load cases.

Load Group Name

Select the desire Load Group Name. Click to the right to enter additional load group names and modify or delete existing load group names.

Options

Add: To enter or add new continuous beam loads on beam elements connected continuously in a straight line

Replace: To replace previously entered continuous beam loads on beam elements connected continuously in a straight line

Delete: To delete previously entered continuous beam loads on beam elements connected continuously in a straight line

Load Type

Assign the loading type of continuous beam loads. The loading types are as follows :

Concentrated Forces: Concentrated forces at a point in span

Concentrated Moments/Torsions: Concentrated moments/torsions at a point in span

Uniform Loads: Uniformly distributed load

Uniform Moments/Torsions: Uniformly distributed bending moments/torsions

Trapezoidal Loads: Trapezoidal load varying linearly along the beam length

Trapezoidal Moments/Torsions: Trapezoidal

bending moments/torsions varying linearly along the beam length

Curved Load: Curvilinear load distribution based on a curve equation varying along the beam length

Note
Curved Loads are loaded on three equally divided segments of elements. If an element is long, the load distribution becomes close to a straight line. So the elements need to be sufficiently divided to closely represent curved load distribution.

Element Selection

Select the control target for loading the beam loads.

On the loading Line: Line Beam Loads are applied to the elements on a straight line defined by two nodes.

Select Element: Line Beam Loads are applied to the selected elements.

Note
The elements that are subjected to Line Beam Loads must be placed in the plane of the loading direction. Line Beam Loads can be also applied to curved beams provided that the beam lies on the plane.

Eccentricity

By assigning the eccentricity distance, the user can easily assign an eccentric load.

As shown in the picture below, by inputting the eccentricity distance and load, the program automatically converts them to an equivalent moment. This function is convenient to assign an eccentric beam load, such as wind load.

Direction: Input the direction of eccentricity

Distance: Input the direction of eccentricity

I-End: Eccentricity from the node

J-End: Eccentricity from the node

Eccentric Beam Load

Direction

Assign the loading direction of continuous beam loads. The loading directions are as follows :

Local x: Beam load applied in the element local x-direction

Local y: Beam load applied in the element local y-direction

Local z: Beam load applied in the element local z-direction

Global X: Beam load applied in GCS X-direction

Global Y: Beam load applied in GCS Y-direction

Global Z: Beam load applied in GCS Z-direction

When the loading direction does not correspond to the above 6 directions, enter the force components in each direction with appropriate signs.

Projection

Define if the continuous beam load is to be applied along the continuous beams or if the loading is to be vertically projected on the beams. This command takes effect only when the load type is 'Uniform Loads' or 'Trapezoidal Loads' and the loading direction is 'Global'.

Yes: When a vertically projected continuous beam load is applied to the continuous beams.

No: When a continuous beam load is applied along the continuous beams.

Value

Define if the loading positions of the continuous beam loads are to be entered in the relative ratio of a loaded beam length.

Relative: Relative ratio of a beam length

Absolute: Real beam length

x1, x2, x3, x4, W: Refer to the guide diagram to specify the load magnitude and locations.

a, b, c: Constants defining the load distribution equation

When the Curved Load Type is selected, curvilinear distribution is given by

P(x)=ax^0.5+b

P(x)=ax^2+bx+c

Nodes for Loading Line

Enter the node numbers of the two ends of the continuous beams. The two node numbers may be set with the mouse using Node Snap in the working window.

Copy Load

Check in copy load to repeat the continuous beam loads for other rows of continuous beams.

Axis: Set the copy direction

x: UCS x-direction

y: UCS y-direction

z: UCS z-direction

Distances: Copy distances

When copying loads onto several rows of other continuous beams, enter the copy distances (spacings) as many times as required.

(Ex. 5.0, 3.0, 4.5, 3@5.0)