Each load must be assigned to a load case, such as dead load, superimposed load or other load cases that you choose to have. ADAPT-Builder includes a Load Case Manager that allows the user to manage load cases within the model. To open the Load Case Manager go to Loading>Load Case/Combo and click on the Load Cases icon.
The image below shows the Load Case Manager window.
Click on image to enlarge.
The load case manager is broken into four parts as marked above.
General Options - The general options section allows the user to turn on or off the Lateral Load Solution Set section of the load case manager as well as turn on and off some of the reserved load cases.
General Loads (Gravity/Lateral) - This section includes General Load Cases whose gravity and other loads are applied on the current slab using the tools from the Loading ribbon General Loads panel.
Building Loads -This section includes Building Load Cases which are wind and earthquake loads applied through the Wind Load and Seismic Load wizards. Building load reactions are calculated only in a multi-story analysis but can then be reapplied to a single level analysis.
Lateral Load Solution Sets - This section will be displayed only if the user checks the Lateral Load Solution Sets box at the top of the Load Case window. Lateral Load Solution Sets are general loads that act at the far ends of columns and walls, and are derived or imported from a multi-story frame analysis. They may also include loads on the slab. Lateral load cases in which all the loads are to be specified at the floor surface should be entered by defining a load case in the General Loads (Gravity/Lateral) section of the load case manager.
Click on the + sign to expand a table describing the options in each section of the Load Case Manager.
Load Case Manager Options
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
|
General Options:
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| General Loads (Gravity/Lateral) | Opens the General Loads (Gravity/Lateral) section of the load case manager. This option is always on and cannot be modified by the user. |
| Lateral Load Solution Sets | Opens the Lateral Load Solution Sets section of the load case manager. Used when importing far end support reactions from a multi-level analysis performed outside of ADAPT-Builder. |
| Reserved Load Cases | Allows the user to turn on and off the program reserved load cases listed. The self-weight and hyperstatic load cases are not listed and cannot be modified. Checked load cases indicate that loads are assigned or will be assigned to these load cases. Unchecked load cases are deactivated indicating that the user does not have or plan to add loads to these load cases. |
|
General Loads (Gravity/Lateral)
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| Load Case Window | List the load cases assigned to the general loads category. |
| Label | Displays the label of the selected load. Used to modify the label of the selected load case. |
| Add button | Click to add a new load case to the listed load cases. |
| Delete button | Click to delete the selected load case. Not available for reserved load cases Deactivate reserved load cases from the Reserved Load Cases section of the load case manager. |
| Reducible | Check to designate the selected load case as a reducible load case. Select when performing load reduction for column design, and when applying reactions to a single level analysis. If unchecked the selected load case is not accounted for in either load reduction method. |
| Roof Load | Check to designate the load case as a roof load case. Facilitates the load combination generator to assign the correct load factor when generating load combinations. |
| Temperature | Check to designate the load case as a temperature load case for applying temperature loads. For more information see the Temperature Loading topic. |
| Shrinkage | Check to designate the load case as a shrinkage load case for applying shrinkage loads. For more information see the Shrinkage Loading topic. |
|
Building Loads:
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| Load Case Window | List the load cases assigned to the general loads category. |
| Label | Displays the label of the selected load. Used to modify the label of the selected load case. |
| Add button | Click to add a new load case to the listed load cases. |
| Delete button | Click to delete the selected load case. Not available for reserved load cases. Deactivate reserved load cases from the Reserved Load Cases section of the load case manager. |
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Wind/Seismic Drop Down
|
Defines the selected load case as a Wind or Seismic load case. Allows the program to use the correct load factors for the load case when generating load combinations through the Load Combination dialog. |
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Reactions Only |
Indicates whether load cases imported from an INP file include both reactions and applied loads. If unchecked, the load case including both reactions and applied load when imported. If checked the program will import reactions only to this load case. Imported load cases with only reactions and no applied load can be used for column and wall design. |
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Lateral Load Solution Sets:
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|
| Load Case Window | List the load cases assigned to the general loads category. |
| Label | Displays the label of the selected load. Used to modify the label of the selected load case. |
| Add button | Click to add a new load case to the listed load cases. |
| Delete button | Click to delete the selected load case. Not available for reserved load cases. Deactivate reserved load cases from the Reserved Load Cases section of the load case manager. |
|
Include compatibility check |
Verifies whether the point of application of each of the moments and forces reported by ETABS for a lateral load case falls over the cross-sectional area of the associated wall or column. If the option is selected the program reports the loads for which the check fails. |
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Acceptable equilibrium in analysis |
Due to modeling by the user, or other inherent features of the program, the ETABS solutions obtained for the lateral load cases do not always satisfy equilibrium which is paramount for integrating a lateral solution with the gravity design of a floor system. When lack of equilibrium exceeds the set tolerance, the program will not process data. The user is required to revisit the ETABS model for source of discrepancy. |
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Redistribute error |
When the lack of equilibrium is within the set tolerance, it is recommended to select this option. When selected, the program distributes the error amongst the applied forces in proportion to each force's magnitude. |
To add a user defined load case click the + sign next to the option below that corresponds with the type of load case you are entering.
To add a general load case:
Go to Loading>Load Case/Combo and click on the Load Case Manager 
icon.
In the General Loads section of the load case manager click on the Add button. The program will add a new load case titled "Load Case N", where N is a sequential number starting from 1.
In the list of general load cases click on the newly entered load case to select it.
Click your mouse in the General Loads Label text box.
Type a new name for the load case on your keyboard.
Check the box to associate a load type for the load case, if applicable.
Repeat steps 1 through 6 to add additional user-defined load cases to the general loads section of the load case manager.
Once all user-defined load cases are in the General Loads list, click OK to close the Load Case Manager.
To add a building load case:
Go to Loading>Load Case/Combo and click on the Load Case Manager icon.
In the Building Loads section of the load case manager, click your mouse in the Building Loads Label text box.
Type a new name for the load case on your keyboard.
Click your mouse on the Seismic/Wind drop down box and choose whether the load case you are adding is to be used for Seismic or Wind loads.
Check the box for Reactions Only, if applicable.
Click the Add button to add the load case to the building loads section of the load case list.
Repeat steps 1 through 6 to add additional user-defined load cases to the building loads section of the load case manager.
Once all user-defined load cases are in the building loads section, click OK to close the Load Case Manager.
To add a special solution set load case:
Go to Loading>Load Case/Combo and click on the Load Case Manager icon.
At the top of the load case manager click the check box for Lateral Load Solution Sets.
When prompted with the following window, click OK to close the window and return to the load case manager.
In the Lateral Loads Solution Sets section of the load case manager, click your mouse in the Lateral Loads Solution Sets Label text box.
Type a new name for the load case on your keyboard.
Click the Add button to add the load case to the building loads section of the load case list.
Repeat steps 1 through 6 to add additional user-defined load cases to the lateral loads solution set section of the load case manager.
Define the additional parameters, Include compatibility check, Acceptable equilibrium error in analysis, and Redistribute error as desired for your design.
Click OK to close the Load Case Manager.
Once Load Cases have been designed Load Combinations can be generated. See the Load Combinations topic for more information.
