Section 5 Commands and Input Instructions

5.32 Loading Specifications

Example
UNIT FEET KIP

JOINT LOAD
3 TO 7 9 11 FY -17.2 MZ 180.0
5 8 FX 15.1
UNIT INCH KIP
12 MX 180.0 FZ 6.3

Notes
a. Joint numbers may be repeated where loads are meant to be additive in
the joint.
b. A UNIT command may be on lines in between joint-list lines.
c. If moments are for dynamic mass, then the units are assumed to be forcelength2.

5.32.2 Member Load Specification

This set of commands may be used to specify member loads on frame members

General Format
MEMBER LOAD
member-list {{UNI | UMOM } dir-spec f1 f2 f3 f4 | {CON |
CMOM } dir-spec f5 f6 f4 |LIN dir-spec f7 f8 f9 | TRAP dirspec f10 f11 f12 f13 }
Where:
dir-spec = {X |Y |Z |GX |GY|GZ |PX |PY|PZ}
X, Y, & Z specify the direction of the load in the local (member) x, y
and z-axes.
GX, GY, & GZ specify the direction of the load in the global X, Y, and
Z-axes.

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Section 5 Commands and Input Instructions

5.32 Loading Specifications
PX, PY and PZ may be used if the load is to be along the projected
length of the member in the corresponding global direction.

Note: Load start and end distances are measured along the
member length and not the projected length.
f1 = value of uniformly distributed load (UNI) or moment (UMOM).
f , f = distance of from the start of the member to the start of the
2 3
load, and distance from the start of the member to the end of the
load, respectively. The load is assumed to cover the full member
length if f and f are omitted.
2
3

Note: Uniformly distributed moments can not be assigned to

tapered members for analysis.
f = Perpendicular distance from the member shear center to the local
4
plane of loading. The value is positive in the general direction of the
parallel (or close to parallel) local axis. If global or projected load is
selected, then the local Y component of load is offset the f distance;
4
the local Z component is offset the f distance; and the local X
4
component is not offset.

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Section 5 Commands and Input Instructions

5.32 Loading Specifications

Note: The local x component of force is not offset (i.e., no

secondary moment is caused by axial load).
f = value of concentrated force (CON) or moment (CMOM)
5
f = distance of from the start of the member to concentrated force or
6
moment. f will default to half the member length if omitted.
6
f , f = LIN specifies a linearly decreasing or increasing, or a triangular
7 8
load. If the load is linearly increasing or decreasing then f is the value
7
at the start of the member and f is the value at the end.
8
f = If the load is triangular, then f and f are input as zero and f is
9
7
8
9
the value of the load in the middle of the member.
f , f = The starting and ending load value for a trapezoidal linearly
10 11
varying load (TRAP), respectively. The TRAP load may act over the full
or partial length of a member and in a local, global or projected
direction.
f , f = the loading starting point and stopping point, respectively.
12 13
Both are measured from the start of the member. If f and f are not
12
13
given, the load is assumed to cover the full member length.

Notes
a. In earlier versions of STAAD, the LINear type of member load could be
applied only along the local axis of the member. It has been modified to
allow for global and projected axes directions also.
b. If the member being loaded has offset distances (see MEMBER OFFSET specification), the location of the load is measured not from the coordinates of
the starting node but from the offset distance.
c. Trapezoidal loads are converted into a uniform load and 8 or more concentrated loads.
d. A UNIT command may be on lines in between member-list lines.
e. If a load location is less than zero, it is reset to 0.0.
f. If a load location is greater than the length, it is reset to the length.

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5.32 Loading Specifications

Example
MEMBER LOAD
619 CON GY -2.35 5.827
68 TO 72 UNI GX -0.088 3.17 10.0
186 TRAP GY -0.24 -0.35 0.0 7.96
3212 LIN X -5.431 -3.335
41016 UNI PZ -0.075
3724 LIN GY -6.2 -7.8

5.32.3 Element Load Specifications

This set of commands may be used to specify various types of loads on plate and
solid elements.

5.32.3.1 Element Load Specification - Plates

This command may be used to specify various types of ELEMENT LOADS for
plates. Plate element loads must be applied following the expression
ELEMENT LOAD (PLATE)
using the format explained under the following options.
Option 1
element-list {PRESSURE {GX | GY | GZ} p1 (x1 y1 x2 y2) }
This is for specifying a pressure of magnitude p1 in one of the global axis
directions on the full element or a small rectangular part of an element. If applied
on a small part, (x1,y1,x2 and y2) define the corners of the rectangular region
where the load is applied. If only x1, y1 is provided, the load is assumed as a
concentrated load applied at the specified point defined by (x1,y1). If (x1,y1,x2,y2)
is not provided, the load is assumed to act over the full area of the element. (x1,
y1, x2 and y2) are measured from the center of the element in the local axis
system (see figure later in this section). There is no option to apply the load over
a projected area.
p has units of force per square of length for pressure and units of force for
1
concentrated load.
GX, GY and GZ represent the global axis directions.
544 STAAD.Pro V8i (SELECTseries 4)