Edge Load

Add an as a force or moment distributed along an edge.

Specify the coordinate system to use for specifying the load. From the list select from the following based on space dimension:

For 2D models (boundaries):

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(the default)

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(a predefined normal-tangential coordinate system)

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Any additional user-defined coordinate system

For 3D models (edges):

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(the default; the standard global coordinate system).

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. This is the coordinate system defined by the beam cross section orientation as defined in the subnode under . The local edge coordinate systems directions are available as variables for plotting using an Arrow Line plot, for example: Under in the plot settings lists of predefined expressions, select , , or .

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Any additional user-defined coordinate system.

Force

Select a — (the default), , or . Enter values or expressions for the components.


Load Type	variable	SI unit	Geometric Entity Level	Space Dimension (Components)
Force per unit length	FL	N/m	edges boundaries	3D (x, y, z) 2D (x, y)
Force per unit volume	FV	N/m3	edges boundaries	3D (x, y, z) 2D (x, y)
Total force	Ftot	N	edges boundaries	3D (x, y, z) 2D (x, y)

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When is selected, the given load is multiplied by the cross section area. This option is useful for modeling body loads like gravity or centrifugal loads.

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After selecting a , the list normally only contains . When combining the Beam interface with another physics interface, it is also possible to choose a predefined load from this list.

Moment

Enter values or expressions for the components of the moment edge load ML (3D) or Mlz (2D).

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You can add the Phase subnode to specify the phase of this load in a frequency domain analysis.

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You can specify this load to be a Harmonic Perturbation in a frequency domain analysis.

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You can assign this load to a load group. See Load Cases in the Structural Mechanics Modeling chapter.

Location in User Interface

Context Menus

Ribbon

Physics tab with or selected:

Physics tab with selected: