Grid Point Loads

These are point loads located in space or, more precisely, on a grid surface which is located in space. The grid surface is also used to identify the elements that are considered during the grid load expansion. Refer to Specifying Grid Loading for details.

Grid point loads must be located so as, either, to coincide with an element or to be bounded by a closed polygon of elements. The grid loading edge tolerance is used to determine whether a load is applied directly on an element.

If the grid surface associated with the load is 2D element type, the grid point load will be transferred as a point load on the coincided 2D element. If the grid point load coincides with corners or edges of more than one 2D elements, the load will be transferred to the first element that program identifies and ignore the other elements.

Definition

Name

The name is only used as a convenient way of identifying a load. Optional.

Grid Surface

The plane in which the load is located and the plane that defines the elements that attract the load. Note that the load is not necessarily applied in grid plane axis directions (see Axis, below).

In sculpt: The grid plane is set to the current grid. The grid plane cannot be edited in the dialog.

Grid Coordinates

The grid coordinates of the load point. Only the x and y coordinates (or r and θ if the grid plane is cylindrical) are defined, the z axis is taken as zero.

In sculpt: A grid point load will be defined at each point on the current polyline. The grid coordinates cannot be edited in the dialog.

Load Case

This is the load case in which the load applies. The load case gives a way of grouping load effects together.

Axis

The axis in which the load is applied. Setting this to local specifies implies panel local axes.

Direction

The direction of the loading, in the specified axis direction.

Value

The magnitude of the load.