Defining Nonuniform Force Loads

Applying Nonuniform Force to an Entity in a Certain Direction

To apply nonuniform force to an entity in a certain direction:

  1. In the Simulation study tree, right-click the External Loads icon and select Force.
    The Force PropertyManager appears.
  2. Click inside the Faces, Edges, Vertices, and Reference Points for Force box, then select the entity to which you apply the force.
  3. Click Normal to apply a force normal to the selected entity, or Selected direction.
    1. For Selected direction, click inside the Face, Edge, Plane, Axis for Direction box then select an entity to specify direction.
    • If you select a face or a plane for direction, specify at least one of the following components: Along Plane Dir 1 , Along Plane Dir 2 , or Normal to Plane .
    • If you select an edge for direction, specify the force value along that edge.
    • If you select an axis for direction, specify at least one of the following components: Radial , Circumferential , or Axial .
  4. If you have selected more than one body to apply force, select either Per item or Total.
  5. Select the required Unit .
  6. Under Force, set the values for the force components, or the normal force.
  7. Check Nonuniform Distribution to define an equation that describes the spatial variation of the force.
    1. Click inside the Select Coordinate System box and select a coordinate system: Cartesian, cylindrical, or spherical from the graphics area or from the FeatureManager Design Tree.
    2. Select the units for linear or angular coordinates.
    3. Click the image of the type of coordinate system that you selected and click Edit Equation.
    4. Enter the equation that describes the spatial variation of the force in the selected coordinate system. You can use a list of basic mathematical functions from the drop-down menu. In the equation interface, enter the coordinates inside quotation marks: "x", "y", "z", "r", "t", and "p".
      The sum of the distributed force values on the selected entity equals the total force value that you enter.
  8. Click .
    After you define a force with a nonuniform distribution, you can hover over the force's arrow symbol to query the force value at that location.

    SOLIDWORKS Simulation lists the force intensity values only at the locations where arrow symbols exist. The software creates the appropriate number of arrow symbols based on the geometry where you apply the force.



    The annotation lists the following:
    • Value. Force value
    • Nonuniform. Equation that defines the nonuniform force distribution, including the unit for length
    • x, y, and z. X, Y, and Z coordinates of the selected arrow symbol with respect to the reference coordinate system
    • Intensity. Value of the equation that defines the nonuniform distribution at the selected arrow symbol
    • Max intensity. Maximum value of the equation that defines the nonuniform distribution among all locations of the arrow symbols
    • Relative. Intensity / Max intensity at the selected arrow symbol

    The solver calculates the exact force value at each node after meshing. The sum of the distributed force values equals the force value you apply.

Nonuniform Distribution with Forces Changing Direction

If a distribution is specified such that forces change direction on part of the edge or a face as illustrated in the figure, the program sets the summation of the absolute values of the forces equal to the value specified in the PropertyManager.

When applying a nonuniform force that changes its direction [Figure(1)], split the load entity where the force changes its direction and apply the force in two steps [Figure (2) & Figure (3)].