SuperSTRESS Tip 9 Area Loads

The ninth tip in the SuperSTRESS usage tip series covers our new feature, Area Loading, which was introduced in version 6.4 and can be used for wind, snow or any other area loading you wish to add.  Before you can add Area Loading you must first create a Load Area from a selection of members.

View Demo

Creating a Load Area can be achieved in a number of ways:

EITHER

• Selecting a circle of members and go to Draw>>Load Areas>>Add while you are in the graphics Window (shown in demonstration above)

OR

• With no member selected go to Draw>>Load Areas>>Add then single pick or windows a selection of members in graphics

OR

• Open the Load Areas table from the SuperSTRESS explorer, press "Insert" on the keyboard to add a new Load Area and add a list of members you wish to make up the Load Area

Then you can add Area Loading by:

EITHER

• Go to Draw>>Basic Loads>>Add and change the "Type" combo to "Area Uniform" and select the direction and magnitude of the load, then single pick or window the Load Area(s) you wish to apply the Area Load to (shown in demonstration above)

OR

• Open the Basic Loadcase Titles table from the SuperSTRESS Explorer, press "Insert" on the keyboard to add a new Basic Loadcase Title, then open the Loadcase Entries for that loadcase and go to the "Area" tab at the bottom and press "insert" on the keyboard again and select the Load Area, direction and magnitude of the load

You can show the actual "Area load distribution" on the members by selecting this from the graphical properties.  You can also select which Load Areas to show and create "Load Area Sets".