Node Loads

Node loads are concentrated forces or moments applied directly at nodes (points) in your structural model. They represent point loads such as column reactions, equipment loads, or applied torques.

Types of Node Loads

Each node load can include up to six components (3 forces, 3 moments):

Forces

  • Fx — Force in the global X direction
  • Fy — Force in the global Y direction
  • Fz — Force in the global Z direction

Moments

  • Mx — Moment about the global X axis
  • My — Moment about the global Y axis
  • Mz — Moment about the global Z axis

Adding Node Loads

Method 1: Context Menu

  1. Select one or more nodes
  2. Right-click to open the context menu
  3. Select "Node Loads"
  4. This opens the Loads dialog with the Node Loads tab active and the selected node(s) pre-filled
  5. Enter the force and/or moment values
  6. Click Apply

Method 2: Loads Dialog

  1. Click Loads in the ribbon to open the Loads dialog
  2. Select the Node Loads tab
  3. In an empty row, enter:
    • Case — The load case ID this load belongs to
    • Node — The node ID(s) to apply the load to
    • Forces (Fx, Fy, Fz) — Force values in global directions
    • Moments (Mx, My, Mz) — Moment values about global axes
  4. Click Apply to add the loads to your model

Sign Convention

Node loads use the global coordinate system. Positive directions are:

Forces

  • +Fx — Force pointing in the +X direction (right)
  • +Fy — Force pointing in the +Y direction (up)
  • +Fz — Force pointing in the +Z direction (out of screen)

For gravity loads (downward forces), use negative Fy values.

Moments

Moments follow the Right-Hand Rule. Point your right thumb in the positive axis direction (+X, +Y, or +Z), and your curled fingers indicate the positive moment direction.

For more details, see Sign Conventions.

Load Case Assignment

Every node load must be assigned to a load case:

  • Specify the load case ID in the "Case" column
  • If no load cases exist, you'll be prompted to create one first
  • Loads inherit the display color of their assigned load case

Applying to Multiple Nodes

The Node column supports multiple nodes in a single row:

  • Ranges: 1-5 applies to nodes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
  • Lists: 1,3,7 applies to nodes 1, 3, and 7

The same load values are applied to all specified nodes.

Editing Node Loads

To modify existing node loads:

  1. Open the Loads dialog
  2. Find the load in the Node Loads table
  3. Edit the values directly in the cells
  4. Click Apply to save changes

Deleting Node Loads

To remove a node load:

  • Clear the Case or Node field to mark the row for deletion
  • Or select the row and press Delete
  • Click Apply to confirm the deletion

Load Visualization

Node loads are displayed on the model as arrows when the Loads display is enabled:

  • Forces — Single-headed arrows pointing in the force direction
  • Moments — Double-headed arrows indicating the axis of rotation (Right-Hand Rule applies)
  • Scale — Arrow length is proportional to magnitude
  • Color — Matches the load case color

Toggle load visibility using the Loads button in the left sidebar. Hold C and scroll to adjust the concentrated load arrow scale (L + scroll for distributed loads).

Units

Force and Moment values use the current unit system:

  • Forces: kN, N, lbf, kip
  • Moments: kN·m, N·m, kip·ft, lb·ft

Units can be changed in Settings → Units.