SOFiLOAD

See also:

3.16.

POIN LINE AREA Free Loading

LAR Load Distribution Areas

Item

Description

NO

Load Generator

LAR

Unit

Default

Load distribution area for selection via

AREA REF LAR NO

NAR

Number of a geometric area (GAR) or explicit area with

0 for a general structured quadri
lateral or triangular area and
input for M,N and the coordinates

GRP

Group number

GRP1
GRP2
GRP3

Group selection for beam groups which

should be loaded

all

M
N
T

Partitions of N1N2 or N3N4

Partitions of N2N3 or N4N1
Virtual thickness of the distribution area

*
*
0.0

X1
Y1
Z1
X2
Y2
Z2
X3
Y3
Z3
X4
Y4
Z4

Coordinates of first point or input of GPT

for X1 and the point number for Y1

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

0.
0.
0.
X1
Y1
Z1
X2
Y2
Z2
X3
Y3
Z3

Coordinates of second point or input of

GPT for X2 and the point number for Y2
Coordinates of third point or input of GPT
for X3 and the point number for Y3
Coordinates of fourth point
For triangles the fourth point must be the
same as the third point

Load distribution areas for beam systems can be generated with the record LAR.
So it is possible to define free point, line and area loads at their action position.

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These loads are converted then via load distribution areas into equivalent beam
loads acting on the corresponding beams.
The coordinates of the four corners may be defined in absolute coordinates or
taken from a structural node with the definition GPT nn. Further it is possible to
enter for Z2, Z3 or Z4 one of the literals DXY, DYZ or DZX. The other two coordinates are then taken as increments within the specified plane to the first point. A
definition of only the first two points will create a rectangle within the appropriate
coordinate planes.
Every load distribution area gets a local z direction. The positive z direction results
from the defined sense of rotation in analog mode to the QUAD elements. Thus
it is possible to use free loads with the load type PZ load in local z direction.
For every load distribution area a load case number
10000 + NO
is generated. It can be used exclusively for the graphical check and output of the
load distribution area in the ANIMATOR or with WinGRAF.
Single beam groups can be selected with GRP1, GPR2 and GRP3. Only the selected beam groups get then a loading. Thus e.g. a loading can be allocated only
to the transverse or the longitudinal girders within a load distribution areas. Use
of all beam groups is the default.
Explicit definition of a load distribution area
The explicit definition of a load distribution area is done with NRA 0 (default), the
input of the area subdivision via M and N and the input of the point coordinates
or the numbers of GPT points.
A load distribution area is described via three or four nodes which are the corner
points of a triangle or quadrangle. This area is subdivided in M and N elements.
Either the node coordinates or the numbers of already defined GPT points for X1,
X2, X3, X4 are to be input. The highest subdivision value is used here for the
greater edge length in the smaller one for the smaller edge. If no input for M and
N was done or if a to coarse mesh was defined, then SOFiLOAD generates automatically a mesh.

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Load Generator

Generation
The load distribution areas should not be defined too large, because otherwise
deductional loads will arise. A load distribution area possibly with an overhang
shown in the following pictures for a fourspan bridge should be input per span.
Fourspan girder with four load distribution areas

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In case of one continuous load distribution area deductional forces can arise in
the neighbouring span due to a single load.
On the other hand deductional forces are generated as planned always inside for
external loads, because they are necessary for the equilibrium.
It is recommended to check the LAR areas in the ANIMATOR.
Examples for load distribution areas:
sofiload_LAR_girder.dat
LAR_Rahm.dat (See description in chapter Examples:
Load Distribution Areas for Frameworks)

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