Generate Static Vehicle Load

This dialog is accessible from the “Model | Bridge Modelling | Generate Static Vehicle Load” menu command. This allows the user to generate a set of loads for a statically positioned vehicle. The origin of the vehicle (normally the centre of the back axle) is positioned is this dialog.

Definition

Vehicle

The vehicle which contributes the load. This can be either a standard vehicle or a user defined vehicle.

Load Case

The load case in which the vehicle load will be generated.

In Space

The vehicle is positioned in space. The vehicle is located at coordinates (x, y, 0) in the axis set and the vehicle is rotated by the angle about the z axis. Loads are dispersed onto elements included in the element list; other elements are ignored in the load expansion process.

By Alignment

The vehicle is positioned at a chainage and offset relative to an alignment curve. An alignment curve is defined by a set of chainage and curvature values in the Alignment and Alignment Curve tables. Loads are dispersed onto elements included in the element list; other elements are ignored in the load expansion process.

By Path

Vehicles can also be positioned in Paths. In this case the offset is from the centre of the path instead of from the alignment, and will normally be zero.

Advanced

Normally each wheel load is represented by a single grid point load. The advanced button gives access to the Wheel Patch Definition dialog which allows the user to specify that each vehicle wheel load should be represented by a series of grid point loads in a rectangular patch.