Creating nodal loading graphically
The following nodal load types can be created using the respective commands in the Sculpt > Create nodal loading menu:
- Node loads
- Applied displacements
- Settlements
The Create nodal loading menu is also available on the right-click menu that is displayed when the cursor mode is set to Select nodes. The procedure is broadly the same for creating each load type and is as follows.
- Set the cursor mode to Select nodes.
- Select the nodes that are to be loaded.
- Give the respective Create nodal loading command.
- Specify the load in the respective nodal load definition dialog box.
Mapping node loads on nodes
The sculpt Map node loads on nodes command allows node loads to be applied to selected nodes with loading values expressed as a function of the coordinates of the nodes. Normal mathematical notation is used in expressions. For example:
z + abs( sin(x) ) * pi
Operations may be with respect to standard (e.g. global) or user defined axis sets.
Node loads can be mapped on nodes using the Sculpt > Create nodal loading > Map node loads on nodes menu command. The procedure is as follows.
- Set the cursor mode to Select nodes.
- Select the nodes to be loaded.
- Give the Map node loads on nodes command.
- Specify the action to be taken in the Map node loads dialog box.