Truss Forces

Trace and graphically display the vehicle loading condition (corresponding moving load case and location) that results in the maximum/minimum force of a truss element. The loading condition is converted into a static loading and produced as a model file of the MCT type. This is an extremely useful feature when we wish to find the loading condition that creates the maximum or minimum force.

From the Main Menu select Results > Moving Load Tracer > Truss Forces.

Select Results > Moving Load Tracer > Truss Forces in the Menu tab of the Tree Menu.

Moving Load Cases

Select a moving load case (vehicle type) that is to be traced and located at a position satisfying the max/min internal force.

Key Element: Enter a truss element number, or click the entry field and the desired truss element in the working window.

Scale Factor: Enter the drawing scale factor for the influence line/surface. This does not affect the influence line/surface values.

Type of Display

Assign the type of display.

Contour

Display the contour of the influence line/surface together with the vehicle loading condition.

Ranges: Define the contour ranges.

: Assign the color distribution range of contour. Using the function, specific colors for specific ranges can be assigned.

Note
Contour Range Max/Min values can be larger than the max/min output values. If the Contour Range values exceed the output values, they are entered at Rank 0 and Rank 11.

Number of Colors: Assign the number of colors to be included in the contour (select among 6, 12, 18, 24 colors)

Colors: Assign or control the colors of the contour.

Color Table: Assign the type of Colors.

: Control the colors by zones in the contour.

Reverse Contour: Check on to reverse the sequence of color variation in the contour.

Contour Line: Assign the boundary line color of the contour.

Element Edge: Assign the color of element edges while displaying the contour.

Contour Options: Specify options for contour representation contour fill.

Contour Fill

Gradient Fill: Display color gradient (shading) in the contour.

Draw Contour Lines: Display color boundaries in the contour.

Draw Contour Line Only
Display only the colored boundaries of the contour.

Mono line: Display the boundaries of the contour in a mono color.

Contour Annotation
Legend or annotation signifying the ranges of the contour is displayed.

Spacing: Specify the spacing of the legend or annotation.

Coarse Contour (faster) (for large plate or solid model)
Represent a simplified contour for a large model using plate or solid elements in order to reduce the time required to represent a complete contour.

Extrude
Where plate elements or solid elements along a cutting plane are represented in contour, a three dimensional contour is created. The positive direction of the analysis results is oriented in the z-axis direction of the local element coordinate system.

The option is not concurrently applicable with the Deformed Shape option. Similarly, the option cannot be concurrently applied to the cases where the Hidden option is used to display plate element thicknesses or the Both option is used to represent Top & Bottom member forces (stresses).

Legend	Display various references related to analysis results to the right or left of the working window.
	Legend Position: Position of the legend in the display window

Applied Loads

Graphically display the vehicle load condition for which the analysis results in the max/min internal force.

Set a detail display condition for the vehicle load case.

Load Scale Factor: Enter the drawing scale factor for the load representation

Load Values: Option to display the load values

Include Impact Factor

Reflect the impact factor in the display.

Maximum Value

Produce the maximum or minimum value calculated from the moving vehicle load analysis.

: Where Influence Line or Influence Surface analysis has been carried out, the moving load case, which produces the maximum or minimum results, is converted into a static loading and produced as an MCT type.

Moving Load Converted to Static Load dialog box

File Name

Enter the file path and name of the MCT file to be output.

Include Centrifugal Force

In the case of a curved bridge include additional loads created by Centrifugal Force in the conversion into the static loading.