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Glossary
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Force/Torque PropertyManager (for Beams)

To display this PropertyManager, open a model with beam elements. Right-click External Loads and select Force or Torque.

Selection

Vertices, Points PM_vertices_points.gif Selects vertices or points to apply force or moment loads.
Joints Selects the beam joints to apply force or moment loads.
Beams Selects the structural members to apply force or moment loads.
Face, Edge, Plane for direction Selects a face, edge, or plane to specify the direction of the applied force or moment loads.
The specified force or moment component is applied to each selected point, joint, or beam.

Units

Unit Sets the unit of the numerical values for the force or moment entries.
Per unit length   Changes the unit of the force or moment value to a per unit length. For example, if you apply a force of 5 N/m to a beam of length 2 m, the total applied force is 10 N. Available when you select Beams in Selection.
Select this option to apply a force or moment with a centered load distribution.

Force

Sets the value of the force component based on the selection.
Along Plane Dir 1  
Along Plane Dir 2  
Normal to Plane  
Reverse direction   Reverses the force component's direction.

Moment

Sets the value of the moment component based on the selection.
Along Plane Dir 1  
Along Plane Dir 2  
Normal to Plane  
Reverse direction   Reverses the moment component's direction.

Variation with Time

For modal time history dynamic studies, you can define a time-dependent force.

  Linear Applies a default linear time curve which passes through the points (0,0) and (tend, Fvalue). Where Fvalue is the force or moment component specified above and tend is the End time specified on the Dynamic Options tab of the Modal Time History dialog box.
  Curve Applies a user-defined time curve. Click Edit to define or import a time curve. The force or moment at any time is calculated by multiplying the value specified above by the Y value of the time curve.
  Graph Displays the actual time-dependent force or moment.

Variation with Frequency

For harmonic and random vibration dynamic studies, you can define a frequency-dependent force or moment.

  Constant Applies a constant force or moment for the full range of operating frequencies.
  Curve Applies a user-defined frequency curve. Click Edit to define or import a frequency curve. The force or moment at any frequency (f) is calculated by multiplying the value specified above by the Y value of the frequency curve at frequency (f).
  View Displays the actual frequency-dependent force or moment.

Nonuniform Distribution

Total Load Distribution   Distributes the total force or moment along the length of the beam. No loads are applied at the ends of the beam. The shape of the distribution can be parabolic, triangular, or elliptical.
Centered Load Distribution   Applies the force or moment at the center of the beam. Loads decrease on either side of the center according to the selected distribution, and are defined per unit length. No loads are applied at the ends of the beam.
The total applied load is a function of the beam's length.
Triangular distribution Distributes the total or centered load along the length of the beam in a triangular distribution.
Parabolic distribution Distributes the total or centered load along the length of the beam in a parabolic distribution.
Elliptical distribution Distributes the total or centered load along the length of the beam in an elliptical distribution.
Table Driven Load Distribution   Distributes the force values at specific locations along the length of the beam. You specify the locations either as percentages or distances from one end of the beam.
Percentage   Lets you enter the locations of the specified force values along the length of the beam as percentage values of the total beam length. For each percentage entry in the table, type the associated force per unit length.
Distance   Lets you enter the distances from the origin of the intermediate beam locations. View the selected beam's length under the table in the PropertyManager. For each distance entry in the table, type the associated force per unit length.
Flip origin Reverses the starting point of the force distribution to the opposite joint of the beam. The starting point is highlighted with an icon of a red sphere. An arrow indicates the direction of the force distribution in the graphics area.
Linear   Selects a linear interpolation scheme for intermediate beam locations not specified in the table.
Cubic   Selects a cubic interpolation scheme for intermediate beam locations not specified in the table.
Save to file   Saves the table driven load distribution data to a comma-separated values *.csv or *.txt file format. Use a text editor or Microsoft Excel to view this file.
Load from file   Loads a *.csv or *.txt file with table driven load distribution data.
It is recommended to first save the table driven load distribution data in the Force/Torque PropertyManager. You can then make edits in Microsoft Excel or a text editor.

Symbol Settings

Edit Color   Selects a color for the force/moment symbols from the color palette.
Symbol size Changes the size of the force/moment symbols.
Show preview   Toggles the display of the force/moment symbols.


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