Member Loads

Apply distributed and point loads to members.

Types of Member Loads

Distributed Loads

Loads spread along the member length:

  • Uniform (UDL): Constant magnitude along length
  • Linear (Trapezoidal): Varies from start to end value

Point Loads

Concentrated loads at a specific position:

  • Force: Concentrated force at a point
  • Moment: Concentrated moment at a point

Adding Member Loads

Method 1: Context Menu

  1. Select one or more members
  2. Right-click to open context menu
  3. Select the load type
  4. Enter values and position

Method 2: Loads Dialog

  1. Open the Loads dialog
  2. Click the appropriate "Add" button
  3. Select target member(s)
  4. Configure and apply

Load Direction

Member loads can be applied in:

  • Global directions: X, Y, Z (world coordinates)
  • Local directions: x, y, z (member coordinates)

Common case: Gravity loads use Global Y direction (negative for downward).

Load Position

For point loads, specify position as:

  • Distance from start: Absolute distance in length units
  • Relative position: 0.0 (start) to 1.0 (end)

Load Visualization

  • Distributed loads: Shown as a series of arrows
  • Point loads: Single arrow at the load position
  • Arrow spacing and length indicate magnitude