Beam Attributes: Global Point Force

Description

Assigns point forces to selected beam elements using three orthogonal components and a coordinate system.

The force may be positioned at any point along the beam.

Point force attributes are load case dependent.

Dialog

Force X / Y / Z

Three orthogonal components of force vector.

a

Position of the force along the beam expressed as a ratio of the beam's length. The distance is measured from end 1 of the element, with a=0.0 corresponding to end 1, and a=1.0 corresponding to end 2.

ID

Assigns an ID to the attribute.

By using different IDs, multiple forces can be applied to the same element for the same load case.

IDs are positive integers between 1 and 192.

Coordinate System

The coordinate system (UCS) in which the force components are defined.

The UCS is used only to define the global Cartesian components of the force. Subsequent changes to the UCS do not affect the direction or magnitude of the force.

Common Controls

• Components
• Equation Editor
• Retrieve from model
• Keep selection
• Scale / Add / Delete / Apply

Units

Components: Force (e.g., N, lbf).

Distance ratio: Dimensionless.

See Also

• Beam Attributes: Principal Point Force