This dialog is used to specify a distributed (i.e.,
linear) force along selected members.
Opens when the
Distributed tool in the
Loads group is selected on the
Member ribbon tab.
Property
Value
Load
Select the load case or load group to which this load will be added.
Tip: The
current load case or group is the default selection. This is displayed
in the program status bar and can be changed on the
View ribbon tab in the Active
Load group.
Load type
Select the type of distributed
load:
Uniform - a
load which is constant in magnitude along the entire member length
Variable - a load which varies linearly over a portion of
the member length
Triangular - a
load which varies linearly from zero to a peak magnitude at the member midpoint
and then back to zero along the member length
Trapezoidal - a
load which varies linearly from zero to a specified magnitude at a specified
distance along the length of the member, then remains at that magnitude until
the same distance from then opposite end of the member
Stepped - a
load that changes from an initial magnitude to a second magnitude at a
specified point along the member length
Ends - a load
that is applied at a set distance from each end of the member
Direction
Select the direction in which the load acts.
Global X
/ Y / Z – to apply loads parallel to the selected global axis.
Local x /
y / z – to apply loads parallel to the selected local axis. Local x
loads are axial to a member.
Projected X / Y / Z – indicate the loads
along the projected length of the member in the corresponding global direction
Uniform load type
Setting
Description
Magnitude
Type the magnitude of the
load. Negative values may be used to reverse the direction.
Variable load type
Setting
Description
Initial magnitude
Type the magnitude of the
load at the beginning of the loaded section. Negative values may be used to
reverse the direction.
Final magnitude
Type the magnitude of the
load at the end of the loaded section. Negative values may be used to reverse
the direction.
As a percentage
Check to specify
distances as a fraction of the member length.
Initial distance
The distance from the start of
the member to the beginning of the linear varying load.
Final distance
The distance from the start of
the member to the end of the linear varying load.
Triangular load type
Setting
Description
Magnitude
Type the peak magnitude of
the load. The load varies linearly from zero to this value at the midpoint of
the member.
Trapezoidal load type
Setting
Description
Magnitude
Type the magnitude of
the load in the uniformly loaded portion. Negative values may be used to
reverse the direction.
As a percentage
Check to specify
distances as a fraction of the member length.
Variable distance
The distance from the ends of
the beam to the uniformly loaded portion. The load varies linearly from zero to
the Magnitude value over this length.
Stepped load type
Setting
Description
Initial magnitude
The value of the load
along the first segment of the beam, up to the step distance.
Final magnitude
The value of the load
along the final segment of the beam, after the step distance.
As a percentage
Check to specify
distances as a fraction of the member length.
Step distance
The distance from the start of
the beam to the step in load magnitude.
Ends load type
Setting
Description
Magnitude
Type the magnitude of the load.
Negative values may be used to reverse the direction.
As a percentage
Check to specify
distances as a fraction of the member length.
Distance from end
Type the length of the loaded
section from the ends of the member.
