Ground Rules Surface Loads

To work with surface loads, there are a few important ground rules, though. What you need to know.

• To work with the load generator, shells must be entered. From the shells the surface loads are generated. Shells must be drawn clockwise from the outside so that the z-axis of the shell faces outward.

• The shell (and therefore the surface load) must always be "edged" by surface load bearing beams. Even if the load (by load bearing direction) does not go there. If you have a steel structure enter the concrete foundation beams as well.

• Work accurately. All beams / nodes must lie neatly in the plane of the shell resp. surface load. A skewed plane is not supported. So this requires you to work accurately.

• Also, always check that the beam loads are properly generated from the surface loads. You do this by turning on "Derived beam loads". Check if the direction of the load transfer is entered correctly. If it is not correct, change the direction of the load transfer at the shells and restart the load generator.