Loads - Point Loads

Point loads are concentrated loads applied along the span of a member or the edge of a wall panel. Defining point loads may be accomplished graphically or in the spreadsheets. See Drawing Point Loads below to learn how to draw joint loads graphically.

Drawing Point Loads

To apply point loads, enter the load direction, magnitude, and location. Make sure that you are careful to enter the correct BLC number that you want the loads assigned to.

Note:

• In the event that a member end offset exists and the load lies on the offset the load will be applied at the end of the offset.

To Apply Point Loads

1. If there is not a model view already open then click    on the RISA Toolbar to open a new view and click    to turn on the Drawing Toolbar if it is not already displayed.
2. Click the Apply Point Loads    button and define the load. 
3. You may choose to apply the load to a single member/wall panel at a time or to an entire selection of members/wall panels.

To apply the load to just a few elements choose Apply Entry by Clicking Items Individually and click Apply.  Click on the members or wall panels with the left mouse button.

To apply the load to a selection, choose Apply Entries to All Selected Items and click Apply.

Note:

• To apply more loads with different parameters, press CTRL-D to recall the Point Loads settings.
• You may also specify or edit point loads in the Point Load Spreadsheet.
• You may undo any mistakes by clicking the Undo    button.

Point Loads from a Moving Load

Please see the Moving Loads topic for more information on how to create static point loads from a specific moving load step location.

Point Load Spreadsheet

The Point Load Spreadsheet records the point loads for the member elements and may be directly accessed by selecting Loads  Point Loads on the Spreadsheets menu

The first column contains the label of the member or wall panel to receive the load.

The direction in the second column represents the direction of the load as one of the options mentioned above.

The load magnitude is recorded in the third column.  The units for the magnitude are listed at the top of the column, depending upon whether the load is a force or a moment.

The fourth column contains the location of the load.  The location is the distance from the I-joint of the member and is unaffected by any member offsets.  The location of the load may be defined as a percentage of member length.  To define the distance from the I-joint as a percentage of member length, enter the percentage value (0 to 100), preceded by the symbol "%".  For example, a load in the center of the member would be defined with a location of "%50".  Using a percentage value is handy if the member's length will be changing due to editing of the model coordinates and you wish to have the load some proportional distance from the I end.

The Wall Panel Point Loads Spreadsheet records the point loads on your wall panels. Note that the loads are specific to the BLC's and that you can use the drop-down list to scroll between your various load cases. The columns in the spreadsheet are the same as the member point loads spreadsheet.

Point Load Directions

x, y          - Load applied in local x and ydirection

X, Y          - Load applied in global X, and Y direction

M        - Moment about global axis