Create Mass from Loads

This dialog can be accessed from the “Model | Model Tools | Create Nodal Mass | From Loads” menu command.

This command creates a set of mass properties that give a nodal mass corresponding to a specified load in a given direction.

If the tool is run before properties have been assigned to 2d elements, the additional mass is assumed to be zero.

Definition

Case Definition

The load definition that is to be used to generate equivalent masses.

Direction

This specifies the direction of load to be used in the conversion of the force (a vector) to mass (a scalar). This will in most cases be the z direction.

Scale Factor

The loads are scaled by this factor before being assigned mass.

Element Group

This specifies the group number for the generated mass elements. This should be chosen so that these elements can be accessed as a unique group.

Analysis Stage

This specifies which analysis stage is to be considered in the creation of mass, defaulting to the whole model.