Loads: Load Data Screen
Manually input the parameters for load type, direction, and bearing loads or allow the program to automatically generate the load.
Please specify all loads and all dimensions on this dialog according to the selected pier view direction. For more information, please see Pier Configuration Button and Pier View Direction.
The fields under Column Loads/Settlement will vary depending on the load type selected (Force, Trapezoid, UDL, Pressure, and Settlement). Also, this screen uses the global coordinate system, e.g., loads acting down in the Y direction must be negative.
Bearing loads (X, Y, and Z directions) will be applied at the top of the pier cap.
Cap loads can have applied forces in the X, Y or Z-direction (positive or negative) applied moments about X, Y, or Z direction. Uniform distributed load (UDL) can be applied to the cap in the X, Y or Z-direction (positive or negative). Note that the UDL maybe applied over the full or part cap length. When concentrated force in X or Z direction is applied, Substructure allows you to specify Arm (Y). This is the height above the cap centerline at which the load acts.
Cap and column loads will be applied at the centerline of the cap and column respectively.
Each load can have an individual name and description. Input a name in the Name text box and a brief description of the load in the Description text box. Click OK to accept all information and return to the Loads screen.
The location of column loads is measured with respect to the fixity point. The fixity point will be at the bottom of a column, or at the fixity point for a drilled shaft. The location of loads on a column is specified as a ratio of y1/L or y2/L. If a distributed load starts a quarter point from the bottom, y1/L will be equal to 0.25. If this load ends at the mid-height of the column, y2/L will be equal to 0.5. A unit strain load can be entered over the entire pier; end a positive value for expansion and a negative value for contraction.
Additional load factors can be entered for each individual load type by modifying the value in the Multiplier for Loads text box under Factors on the Loads: Load Data screen. Note that all loads entered will be increased accordingly by this value (default value = 1.0).
For manually input live loads, this screen behaves slightly different. When a live load case is added and edited, the program fills the bearing loads list. This contains two sets of loads. The first set of bearing loads corresponds to truck loads and the second set corresponds to lane load part of Design Truck loads. Initially, all these loads are set equal to zero. Users can only modify loads for this case but cannot delete the entries. To apply a truck load, select the corresponding bearing location within the first set, edit the load value, and click Modify. To specify a lane load part on a bearing, scroll down in the list and select the bearing location in the second set of loads and update it. To remove a previously specified load, set that load equal to zero.