Point load
Use the Point load tool to add point force or moment to the model.
When you select the Point load tool from the panel, a new tool palette opens.
Main tools on the tool palette
| Description | |
|---|---|
 | Use Define tool to add a new point load to the model. |
 | Use Properties tool to check properties of existing point loads. This will open the Default settings dialogue for the selected load(s). |
 | Use F numeric field to enter the value of the force. Only available when defining load as force. |
 | Use M numeric field to enter the value of the moment. Only available when defining load as moment. |
 | Use Default settings tool to change some settings (read below in more detail). |
Force or moment
| Description | |
|---|---|
 | Use Force function to define a load as force. |
 | Use Moment function to define a load as moment. |
Direction tools
| Description | |
|---|---|
 | Use Predefined direction function to select the load direction from 6 possible options. |
 | Use Parallel with line function to set the load direction by drawing a line in the model space. |
 | Use Perpendicular to plane tool to set the load direction to be perpendicular to a selected plane. You can select the plane in the model space. |
 | Only while Predefined direction tool is selected, use this Direction tool to select one of the 6 possible options - global coordinate system X, Y or Z axis or user coordinate system x, y or z axis. |
 | Only while Predefined direction tool or Perpendicular to a plane tool is selected, use the Positive direction and Negative direction buttons to change positive/negative direction of the selected axis or normal of the selected plane. |
Point selection
| Description | |
|---|---|
 | Use Edit point function to select a load location in the model by clicking with mouse. |
 | Use Select point function to select a load location in the model by selecting existing points on elements (for example, end points on columns). |
Other tools
| Description | |
|---|---|
 | Use Assign to structure tool to assign the load to a structural element already while defining the load. |
note
To read about assigning the load to structure see the topic
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Loads ➔ Panel Modify ➔ Assign load to structure
Default settings
The Default settings tool opens a new dialogue window.
- F - change the value of the force. Only available when defining load as force.
- M - change the value of the moment. Only available when defining load as moment.
- Load case - Select a load case for the load
- Comment - add a comment to the load
- Apply on the eccentric axis/surface - select to apply the load on an eccentric axis of eccentric surface of a structural element. If unselected, the load is applied on the centroid axis. Only available when defining load as force.