Form: Area Surface Pressure Loads
Surface pressure always acts normal to the area object face. Positive pressures are directed towards the interior of the object. The pressure may be constant over the face or interpolated from values given at the joints. The values at the joints are obtained from joint patterns, and need not be the same for different faces. Joint patterns can be used to easily apply hydrostatic pressure. Assign surface pressure loads to areas as follows:
Select one or more areas to which loads will be assigned.
Click the Assign menu > Area Loads > Surface Pressure (All) command to access the Area Surface Pressure Loads form.
Load Case Name. Select the load case to which this load is being added. Alternatively, click the + (plus symbol) beside the drop-down list to access the Define Loads form; use the form to define a load case that will then be available in the drop-down list.
Pressure area. Choose if the pressure will be applied by element or by joint pattern.
By Element. When this option is selected, specify a pressure value in the Pressure edit box.
By Joint Pattern. When this option is selected, choose a joint pattern from the Pattern drop-down list and then specify a multiplier in the Multiplier edit box.
Face. Select the object Face to which the load applies from the drop-down list.
Options. Specify a load application option.
Add to Existing Loads: Adds the specified pressure load to the area object. If one or more pressure load assignments have already been made, this option increases the existing load, assuming a positive load is being specified.
Replace Existing Loads: Replaces the currently specified pressure load, if any, with the new load. If no assignment exists, the new assignment is still made. This is the default option.
Delete Existing Loads: Deletes any and all pressure load assignments made to the selected area object(s). When this option is selected, the items in the Pressure area of the form are ignored when the OK button is clicked.
The screen will refresh with a graphical representation of the load assigned on the selected members. If necessary, use the Assign menu > Clear Assigns command to remove the display of the assigned load.
Example: Use of this command is demonstrated in Problem F.
Also See
Display- Shoow Load Assigns - Areas