Load Generator

9.3.

SOFiLOAD

Load Distribution Areas for Frameworks.

Distributed loads for girder systems and frameworks can be defined very simple
via load distribution area (record LAR). The usage of LAR areas is shown in the
following example of a hall with steel girders.

X
Z

The system is generated with the program SOFiMSHA. The positive Z direction
is defined as gravity direction (SYST GDIR POSZ). The input of SOFiLOAD begins with the definition of the load distribution areas:
PROG SOFILOAD
HEAD SOFILOAD - Load Distribution Areas
ECHO LOAD EXTR
$ roof areas:
LAR 1 M - N - X1 10 -10 -5 X2 10 -5
LAR 2 M 8 N 12 X1 -1.263 -5
-6.5
X3 26.263 1.829 -4.451

for Frameworks
-6.5 X3 15 -5 -6.5 X4 15 -10 -5
X2 -1.263 1.829 -4.451 $$
X4 26.263304 -5 -6.50

$ longitudinal walls
let#xa 0.0 ; let#xe 25.0 ; let#za 0.0 ; let#ze -5.0 ; let#y -10
LAR 3 M - N - X1 #xa #y #za X2 #xa #y #ze X3 #xe #y #ze X4 #xe #y #za
$ end walls
let#ya 0.0 ; let#ye -10. ; let#za 0.0 ; let#ze -6.5 ; let#x 0
LAR 4 M - N - X1 #x #ya #za X2 #x #ya #ze X3 #x #ye #ze X4 #x #ye #za
let#x 25
LAR 5 M - N - X1 #x #ya #za X2 #x #ya #ze X3 #x #ye #ze X4 #x #ye #za

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The load distribution area LAR 1 is defined for a roof area (oneside, in the
middle). The input is done via coordinates. A for M and N produces an automatic
partition.

Load distribution area 1

An overhang at the roof edges is input for the load distribution area 2 which includes all five spans of one roof side.

Load distribution area 2

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The load distribution area 3 contains the complete longitudinal wall at one hall
side.

Load distribution area 3

The load distribution areas 4 and 5 consider the both end walls including the outstands at the roof areas.

Load distribution area 4

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Load distribution area 5

The input of the free loads (POIN, LINE, AREA) is done after the definition of
the load distribution areas. The automatic reference AUTO has to be used for
POIN and LINE. Using AREA, the reference LAR is input then with the corresponding number of the load distribution area.
In load case 11 a constant line load of 10 kN/m in gravity direction is defined at
one hall side about the complete hall length including the overhangs. The input
reads:
LC 11
LINE AUTO PROJ N 0 TYPE PG P1 10 X1 -1.2633029 Y1 -1.5853777 Z1 -5.4756131 $$
P2 10 X2 26.263304 Y2 -1.5853777 Z2 -5.4756131

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Input load for load case 11

SOFiLOAD finds the load distribution area 2 to be used via the automatic reference. The load is activated with 100 %.
SOFiLOAD generates with that loads acting on beam elements (loads related to
elements) in global Z direction (here: = gravity direction).
Loads acting
Number Type
13 PZZ
13 PZZ
13 PZZ
. . .
39 PZZ
39 PZZ
41 PZZ

on Beam-elements
a[m]
l[m] Loadval Loadval Dimens. ya[mm] za[mm] ye[mm] ze[mm]
0.000 1.305
4.38
7.41 [kN/m]
1.305 1.305
7.41
6.97 [kN/m]
2.610 1.305
6.97
3.69 [kN/m]
1.667
3.333
0.000

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1.667
1.667
0.160

0.90
0.94
3.99

0.94 [kN/m]
0.61 [kN/m]
3.96 [kN/m]

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Beam loads PZZ for load case 11

In load case 12 a free line load with 10 kN/m in gravity direction is defined in the
middle roof span at one roof side (area of the load distribution area 1). AUTO is
input again as reference:
SOFiLOAD recognizes here the load distribution area 1 for using and generates
the corresponding beam loads in global Z direction.

Input load for load case 12

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Beam loads PZZ for load case 12

The definition of a free line load of 10 kN/m in gravity direction in two spans of a
hall side is done in load case 13. Because the automatic reference is used, SOFiLOAD finds here the load distribution area 3.
LC 13
LINE AUTO PROJ N 0 TYPE PG

P1 10 X1 0.0
P2 10 X2 10.0

Y1 -10.0
Y2 -10.0

Z1 -2.5 $$
Z2 -2.5

Input load for load case 13

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Beam loads PZZ for load case 13

For load case 14 a free line load of 10 kN/m in global X direction is defined at a
front of the hall.
LC 14
LINE AUTO PROJ N 0 TYPE PXX P1 10 X1 0.0
P2 10 X2 0.0

Y1 -10.0
Y2 0.0

Z1 -2.5 $$
Z2 -2.5

Because the load distribution area 4 is available at this front of the hall, it is used
via the automatic reference for the conversion of the input load into beam loads.
Meshfree Loading
Kind
Referenceto
Line
auto

938

Projection Coordinates
Type Loadvalue
W[m]
X[m]
Y[m]
Z[m]
0.000 -10.000 -2.500 PXX
10.00 [kN/m]
0.000
0.000 -2.500
10.00 [kN/m]
activated
100.00

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Input load for load case 14

Because the load type of the line load is PXX load in global X direction, the beam
loads also have the load type PXX.
Loads acting
Number Type
11 PXX
11 PXX
11 PXX
. . .
24 PXX
24 PXX
24 PXX

on Beam-elements
a[m]
l[m] Loadval Loadval Dimens. ya[mm] za[mm] ye[mm] ze[mm]
0.000 0.556
-37.36
0.77 [kN/m]
0.556 0.556
0.77
9.52 [kN/m]
1.111 0.556
9.52
13.37 [kN/m]
3.480
4.060
4.640

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0.580
0.580
0.580

9.61
8.60
-4.21

8.60 [kN/m]
-4.21 [kN/m]
-27.02 [kN/m]

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Beam loads PXX for load case 14

A free area load of 10 kN/m2 is input in load case 15 with the automatic reference
and the load type PZ load in local z direction. With the local z direction this one
of the LAR area is here meant. The area load is positioned at the rear front of
the hall in the region of the load distribution area 5.
LC 15 TITL 'in local z direction'
AREA AUTO PROJ N 0 TYPE PZ P1 10 X1 25.0 Y1 -7.1684952 Z1 -1.8660510 $$
P2 10 X2 25.0 Y2 -4.4493489 Z2 -1.5183164 $$
P3 10 X3 25.0 Y3 -3.0098007 Z3 -3.9453983 $$
P4 10 X4 25.0 Y4 -5.3024144 Z4 -4.5986862
Meshfree Loading
Kind
Referenceto
Area

auto

940

Projection Coordinates
Type Loadvalue
W[m]
X[m]
Y[m]
Z[m]
25.000 -7.168 -1.866 Pz
10.00 [kN/m2]
25.000 -4.449 -1.518
10.00 [kN/m2]
25.000 -3.010 -3.945
10.00 [kN/m2]
25.000 -5.302 -4.599
10.00 [kN/m2]
activated
100.00

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Input load for load case 15

The input load acts into the local z direction of the load distribution area 5. The
local z direction is here identical to the global X direction of the system. Thus SOFiLOAD generates beam loads acting into global X direction.
Loads acting
Number Type
1 PXX
1 PXX
1 PXX
. . .
14 PXX
14 PXX
14 PXX

on Beam-elements
a[m]
l[m] Loadval Loadval Dimens. ya[mm] za[mm] ye[mm] ze[mm]
0.000 0.556
1.63
0.35 [kN/m]
0.556 0.556
0.35
0.00 [kN/m]
2.222 0.556
0.00
0.09 [kN/m]
3.480
4.060
4.640

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0.580
0.580
0.580

-4.33
-0.81
8.58

-0.81 [kN/m]
8.58 [kN/m]
10.74 [kN/m]

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Beam loads PXX for load case 15

Similar the load case 15, a free area load of 10 kN/m2 with the load type PZ load
in local z direction is defined at a part of the roof for load case 16. The input load
acts here into the local z direction of the load distribution area 2.
LC 16 TITL 'in local z direction'
AREA AUTO PROJ N 0 TYPE PZ P1 10 X1 7.3640609 Y1 -3.3948720 Z1 -6.0184617 $$
P2 10 X2 7.1662946 Y2 -1.3843412 Z2 -5.4153023 $$
P3 10 X3 16.093981 Y3 -1.5147893 Z3 -5.4544368 $$
P4 10 X4 16.390179 Y4 -3.4638011 Z4 -6.0391402
Meshfree Loading
Kind
Referenceto
Area

auto

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Projection Coordinates
Type Loadvalue
W[m]
X[m]
Y[m]
Z[m]
7.364 -3.395 -6.018 Pz
10.00 [kN/m2]
7.166 -1.384 -5.415
10.00 [kN/m2]
16.094 -1.515 -5.454
10.00 [kN/m2]
16.390 -3.464 -6.039
10.00 [kN/m2]
activated
100.00

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Input load for load case 16

Because the local z direction of the load distribution area is here not identical to
a global direction, SOFiLOAD determines different beam loads for the appropriate beams. Here beam loads in global Y and Z direction are generated for load
case 16.
Loads acting on Beam-elements
Number Type
a[m]
l[m] Loadval Loadval Dimens. ya[mm] za[mm] ye[mm]
ze[mm]
13 PYY
0.000 1.305
0.05
0.00 [kN/m]
13 PYY
3.915 1.305
0.00
0.00 [kN/m]
13 PZZ
0.000 1.305
-0.15
0.00 [kN/m]
13 PZZ
3.915 1.305
0.00
0.00 [kN/m]
. . .
39 PYY
3.333 1.667
0.02
0.00 [kN/m]
39 PZZ
3.333 1.667
-0.08
0.00 [kN/m]
41 PYY
0.000 0.160
-0.22
-0.25 [kN/m]
41 PZZ
0.000 0.160
0.73
0.82 [kN/m]

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Beam loads PYY for load case 16

Beam loads PZZ for load case 16

The divergence of the load type input should be shown to the end at an example
of a free area load acting on the roof region of the load distribution area 1. For load
case 17 the load type PZZ load in global Z direction is input and for load case
18 the load type PZ load in local z direction (of the load distribution area). The
explicit reference to the load distribution area 1 is defined for both load cases.
Thus the coordinates of the load corner points do not have to be input anymore.

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LC 17 ; AREA LAR 1 TYPE PZZ P1 10

LC 18 ; AREA LAR 1 TYPE PZ P1 10

Input load PZZ for load case 17

Input load PZ for load case 18

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Load Case 17
Meshfree Loading
Kind
Referenceto

Projection Coordinates
W[m]
X[m]
Y[m]

Type Loadvalue
Z[m]

Area

PZZ
LAR

activated

10.00 [kN/m2]
100.00

Load Case 18
Meshfree Loading
Kind
Referenceto

Projection Coordinates
W[m]
X[m]
Y[m]

Type Loadvalue
Z[m]

Area

Pz
LAR

activated

10.00 [kN/m2]
100.00

The divergence of the load type input is to be recognized then clearly at the determined beam loads. Only beam loads in global Z direction are determined for load
case 17. On the other hand beam loads in global Y and Z direction result in load
case 18, because the local z direction of the load distribution area is not identical
with a global direction.
Load Case 17
Loads acting
Number Type
18 PZZ
18 PZZ
18 PZZ
. . .
40 PZZ
40 PZZ
40 PZZ

on Beam-elements
a[m]
l[m] Loadval Loadval Dimens. ya[mm] za[mm] ye[mm] ze[mm]
0.000 0.373
15.04
3.95 [kN/m]
0.373 0.373
3.95
10.42 [kN/m]
0.746 0.373
10.42
13.75 [kN/m]
3.929
4.286
4.643

0.357
0.357
0.357

13.60
9.93
3.77

9.93 [kN/m]
3.77 [kN/m]
14.66 [kN/m]

Load Case 18
Loads acting
Number Type
18 PYY
18 PZZ
18 PYY
18 PZZ
18 PYY
. . .
40 PYY

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on Beam-elements
a[m]
l[m] Loadval Loadval Dimens. ya[mm] za[mm] ye[mm] ze[mm]
0.000 0.373
4.32
1.13 [kN/m]
0.000 0.373
14.41
3.78 [kN/m]
0.373 0.373
1.13
2.99 [kN/m]
0.373 0.373
3.78
9.98 [kN/m]
0.746 0.373
2.99
3.95 [kN/m]
4.286

0.357

2.85

1.08 [kN/m]

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40
. .
40
40

PYY
.
PZZ
PZZ

SOFiLOAD

4.643

0.357

1.08

4.21 [kN/m]

4.286
4.643

0.357
0.357

9.51
3.61

3.61 [kN/m]
14.04 [kN/m]

Beam loads PZZ for load case 17

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Beam loads PYY for load case 18

Beam loads PZZ for load case 18

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