# Face Loads
Face loads on 3D elements are similar to face loads on 2D elements, with the additional requirement that the face be selected. Loads are specified as a pressure across the surface.
# Definition
Name
The name is only used as a convenient way of identifying a load.
3D element list
The list of elements to which the load is to be applied.
In sculpt: The 3D element list is set to the 3D elements in the current selection set. The 2D element list 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.
Face
The face to be loaded. The face is defined by a face number: face topology details below.
| Face | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brick | bottom (1 2 3 4) | top (5 6 7 8) | front (1 2 6 5) | right (2 3 7 6) | back (3 4 8 7) | left (4 1 5 8) |
| Wedge | bottom (1 2 3) | top (4 5 6) | front (1 2 5 4) | right (2 3 6 5) | left (3 1 4 6) | |
| Pyramid | bottom (1 2 3 4) | front (1 2 5) | right (2 3 5) | back (3 4 5) | left (4 1 5) | |
| Tetra | bottom (1 2 3) | front (1 2 4) | right (2 3 4) | left (3 1 4) |
Load type
The user has a choice of the type of loading applied to the elements.
- Uniform – uniform load applied over the whole face of the element
- Variable – load which varies across the face of the elements interpolating between values specified at the corner nodes
If the elements to which this relates are load panels then the load type must be uniform.
Direction
The direction in which the load is applied, with respect to the specified axis.
Axis
The direction of the load is with respect to this axis set. Setting this to Local implies element local axes.
Projected
When set, the load is projected from onto the element to result in the magnitude of the load actually applied to the element being the specified magnitude factored by an amount dependent on the inclination of the element to the load direction. (E.g. for snow loading.)
Value
The magnitude of the load specified at the corner nodes of the element.