Panels

Tutorial
Load Panels

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© Copyright 2009 Scia Group nv. All rights reserved.

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 Table of contents

Table of contents

Table of Contents 
Table of contents............................................................................................................................... 3 
 Panel types.................................................................................................................................. 1 
 Panel to nodes, edges and beams............................................................................................ 2 
To nodes ........................................................................................................................................ 3 
To edges ........................................................................................................................................ 6 
To edges and beams ..................................................................................................................... 9 
 Panel with parallel beams........................................................................................................ 14 

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 Load Panels

Panel types
In Scia Engineer there are two basic types of panels. The function of both is to distribute the input
(surface) load. They are not a load-bearing part of the structure. They can represent e.g. a glass part of
a structure or thin sheeting covering a steel hall.

One type of the panel distributes the load only to parallel beams. The second one has three sub types
and can distribute load to panel nodes, edges or beams in various directions.

The input of all panels is from Structure service in the Load panel group. Panels can only be flat and
their definition is similar to plates. They distribute surface load, free surface load, free line load and free
point force.

It is also possible to insert an opening to a load panel.

To input the panel with parallel beams use a function 2D member – Components – Opening or Load
panel - Load to opening edges and uncheck the option Panel. For other panels use a function from
Load panel - Panel components – Opening.

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Panel to nodes, edges and beams

Each sub type of the panel has a separate function for input; however, the type can be changed, if
required, in the property dialogue of the panel.

Common properties:
Load transfer direction
- X (LCS panel) – load is distributed to nodes, edges and beams which
are perpendicular to local axis x
- Y (LCS panel) – load is distributed to nodes, edges and beams which
are perpendicular to local axis x
- all (LCS panel) – load is distributed to all nodes, edges and beams
Swap orientation
- self-explanatory (the same as for standard plate)
LCS Angle [deg]
- self-explanatory (the same as for standard plate)
Layer
- self-explanatory (the same as for standard plate)
Selection of entities
- All – all panel nodes or edges which are supported and the beams that
are located in the panel plane are selected for the load generation
- User selection – only selected panel nodes or edges which are
supported and the beams that are located in a panel plane are selected
for load generation
Weight of loaded nodes/edges/beams – displays all members which are included to load generation,
in the right column the user can define the weight factors for individual members.
Unloaded nodes/edges/beams – displays the rest of members belonging to panel which are not
included to the load generation.

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To nodes
Load is distributed only to “outer” (structure) nodes of the panel. The nodes have to be supported by
another member.

Example 1
1. Define a simple steel hall.

2. Run Structure service > Load panel > Load to panel nodes and input panels to each span of
the hall.
3. Select both gable panels and change Load transfer direction to All (LCS panel).

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4. Run View parameter setting dialog using the icon at the bottom of a graphical window or
using the (right-mouse-button-click) context menu.
5. Tick option Members 2D on the Structure tab in the Local axes group. Local axes of panels
will be displayed. This indicated the orientation of the local z-axis, which is very important as it
must “go outward” from the building. Select panels which have the z axis oriented inward into
the hall and select item Swap orientation in the Property window.
6. Tick option Highlight supporting edges/nodes in the Structure tab, group Panel. Nodes
which are considered for the generation of load are marked.

7. If some nodes of panel are not marked and should be, select the panel and press the action
button Update node selection (just for the selected panel) or Update all panels (for all
panels).
8. Go to service Load and define two permanent load cases of type - Standard.
9. Input Free surface load with geometry system – Member LCS around the hall in LC1.
10. Input Surface load on 2D members on all panels in LC2.
11. Select e.g. one of gable panels and press the action button Generate loads in its properties.
Point forces are generated In all its nodes.

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12. Run Calculation to generate point forces in the whole structure.

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To edges
Load is distributed only to “outer” edges of panels. The edges have to be supported by another
member.

Example 2
1. Create a simple steel hall.

2. Run Structure service > Load panel > Load to panel edges and input panels to each span of
the hall.
3. Select both gable panels and change Load transfer direction to All (LCS panel).

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4. Run View parameter setting dialog using the icon at the bottom of a graphical window or
using the (right-mouse-button-click) context menu.
5. Tick option Members 2D on the Structure tab in the Local axes group. Local axes of panels
will be displayed. This indicated the orientation of the local z-axis, which is very important as it
must “go outward” from the building. Select panels which have the z axis oriented inward into
the hall and select item Swap orientation in the Property window.
6. Tick option Highlight supporting edges/nodes in the Structure tab, group Panel. Nodes
which are considered for the generation of load are marked.

7. If some edges of a panel are not marked and should be, select the panel and press the action
button Update edge selection (for the selected panel) or Update all panels (for all panels).
8. Go to service Load and define two permanent load cases with type Standard.
9. Input Free surface load with geometry system – Member LCS around the hall in LC1.
10. Input Surface load on 2D members on all panels in LC2.
11. Select e.g. one of side panels and press the action button Generate loads in its properties.
Line forces are generated along all its supported edges.

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12. Run Calculation to generate line forces on the whole structure.

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To edges and beams

If the load transfer direction is set to X or Y the following option is available:

Max. Angle for transfer [deg] – defines an allowed inclination of a 2D member edge or beam from the
axis. The angle is measured in the direction that is perpendicular to the selected axis.

If the load transfer direction is set to all, the following options are shown:

Transfer in X/Y – defines the percentages of load distribution for x and y axis
Available only for Load transfer method set to Accurate (FEM).
It says which percentage is distributed in which direction. The direction is defined by the local axis of
the panel. If different percentage is defined in each direction, the calculation is based on the calculation
of an orthotropic plate.

Load transfer method

- Standard – the sum of defined load is recalculated to members using
the weight factors
- Accurate (FEM) – see the explanation below

Max. eccentricity of members [m] – only for Selection of entities set to “all”, defines a distance of
members from load panel plane

Selection of entities
- All – see above
- User selection – see above
- By type – group Selection of elements is shown, where user selects
beams for load generation by type .

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FEM method
The load transferring algorithm of this method is based on the calculation of a plate with rigid line
supports. In places where beams and edges are located, rigid line supports are inserted. The result
intensity in the supports is converted to the generated load.

The generator of loads uses the following parameters:

Thickness is set to 1m.
The orthotropic material uses the following parameters:
E modulus = 1 GPa
Poisson coefficient = 0.25

D11 = 44.44 MN/m

D22 = 44.44 MN/m
D33 = 16.67 MN/m
D44 = D55 = 13 000 MN/m
D12 = 11.11 MN/m

For load transfer direction set to X or Y, the E1:E2 ratio is taken as 80:20% and E = E1 + E2 = 100%.

 Note: If you model two identical cases, but one with a load panel and the other with an orthotropic
plate with the parameters set as above, the shape (result graph) of the generated load and intensity
in supports should be the same. The values depend on the mesh size which is automatically
generated for the load panels as 10% of the shorter edge (the distance between two adjacent
supports).

 Note: In some cases this method may give unexpected results. It is caused by material properties
which are necessary for the FEM calculation with an orthotropic material. For example:
case 1 – a panel is supported only with one member – generated load can have the opposite
direction then the input one. It is caused by the stiffness, etc.
case 2 – a panel is subject to free surface load (with a geometry system set to projection) – the load
is also generated in the direction which is perpendicular to the direction of the effectiveness of the
input load. It is caused by the nonzero Poisson coefficient.

Example 3
1. Create a simple steel hall.

2. Run Structure service > Load panel > Load to panel edges and beams and input panels
extending through all the spans of the hall.
3. Select both gable and roof panels and change Load transfer direction to All (LCS panel).

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4. Select both roof panels and set Selection of entities – By type. Then select only some types,
e.g. beam, purlin, truss chord.
5. Select both gable panels and set Selection of entities – User selection. Then select one by
one, press the action button Update edge/beam selection and select some 1D members, e.g.
columns and upper truss chords.

6. Run View parameter setting dialog using the icon at the bottom of a graphical window or
using the (right-mouse-button-click) context menu.
7. Tick option Members 2D on the Structure tab in the Local axes group. Local axes of panels
will be displayed. This indicated the orientation of the local z-axis, which is very important as it
must “go outward” from the building. Select panels which have the z axis oriented inward into
the hall and select item Swap orientation in the Property window.
8. Tick option Highlight supporting edges/nodes in the Structure tab, group Panel. Nodes
which are considered for the generation of load are marked.

9. If some members are not marked and should be, select the panel and press the action button
Update edge/beam selection (for the selected panel) or Update all panels (for all panels).
10. Go to service Load and define two permanent load cases of type Standard.
11. Input Free surface load with geometry system – Member LCS around the hall in LC1.
12. Input Surface load on 2D members on all panels in LC2.
13. Select e.g. one of the side panels and press the action button Generate loads in its properties.
Line forces are generated in all its supported edges/beams.

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14. Run Calculation to generate line forces on the whole structure.

15. Select all panels and change Load transfer method to Standard.
16. Run Calculation again.

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Panel with parallel beams

For this type of load panel it is necessary to define properties for both plate and beams. Properties of
the panel are the same as for a standard plate. The direction of beams depends on the plate LCS. The
beams are always parallel with the local x axis.

Beam layout properties:

Position
- Distance – defines the distance between beams
- Number – defines the number of beams
- Width – defines the width between beams (this type of input is similar to
option to Distance but offers different other parameters)
- Generic – defines the location of each beam individually
First offset
- defines the distance between the first beam and the edge of panel
Last offset
- defines the distance between the last beam and the edge of panel
Switch offsets
- swaps the first and last offset
Distance
- defines the distance between beams
Number
- defines number of generated beams
First beam
- defines if the first beam is inserted
Last beam
- defines if the last beam is inserted
Position in plate
- defines the position of beams in plate – inside, outside
Alignment
- defines the alignment of beams
Beams eccentricity Z [mm]
- defines beam eccentricity
Select all beams to generator
- if ON all beams are selected automatically, in OFF the user can select
only some of them

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Examples 4
1. Create a simple hall.

2. Run Structure service > Load panel > Panel with parallel beams and input panels on the
roof of the hall.
3. Then define beam properties in the Member dialog.

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4. Use option Switch offsets to set zero offsets of both panels by a ridge of the hall. I.e. tick
Switch offsets and define Last offset as 0.
5. Select one of the panels and uncheck items First beam and Last beam.
6. Select the other and uncheck the beam at the end of the roof.

7. Select one of the panels and input an opening using function 2D member > 2D member
components > Opening or Load panel > Load to opening edge (with unchecked option
Panel).
8. Select the other panel, change Beam layout – Position to Generic. A new item Editor is
displayed in properties. Run the editor pressing the button with three dots.
9. Change beam positions and confirm with [OK].

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10. Go to service Load and define a permanent load case of type Standard.
11. Input Surface load on 2D members on all panels in that load case.
12. Select the panel with the opening and press the action button Load generation in its
properties. Line forces are generated on all beams.

13. Run Calculation to generate line forces on the whole structure.

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14. Input a beam between beams on the panel with beams in generic positions.
15. Select the panel and uncheck option Select all beams to generator.
16. Click the action button Update beam selection, select the inserted beam and finish the
function.
17. Now the beam is in the panel properties Beams > Included in load gen.
18. Run Calculation again. Load is generated on all beams.

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