Place Loads

Loads can be placed on the Structural Member of a load-bearing element, in Floor Plan or 3D view. Therefore, the Structural Analytical Model must be enabled.

To place a Load, use one of the three Load tools:

Structural Point Load

Structural Line Load

Structural Surface Load

To activate a tool, select it in the toolbox.

LoadToolsBox.png 

Place Point Load

Point Loads can be input on:

1D Members (node or edge)

2D Members (node, edge or surface)

1.Activate the Structural Point Load tool.

2.In Tool Settings or Info Box: Select a Load Case (see Load Tool Settings).

3.While you place the Load element, the potential host element (Structural Analytical Member) is highlighted. You also get a preview of what the Load will look like after placement.

Note: If you are hovering over multiple host elements, use tab to cycle among them until the right one is highlighted.

4.Click to place.

Note: Loads are visible only if they belong to the currently visible Load Case. If you try to place a Load element that does not belong to the currently visible Load Case, you get a notification.

MissingHiddenLoad.png 

InputPreview_PointLoadonSurface.png Input_PointLoadSurface.png

Placing a Point Load

ForcePointLoad.png 

MomentPointLoad.png 

Point Force

Point Moment

Place Line Load

Line Loads can be input on:

1D Members (node or edge)

2D Members (node or edge)

Note: Archicad supports the import (via SAF) of Line Loads placed on surfaces.

1.Activate the Structural Line Load tool

2.In Tool Settings or Info Box: Select a Load Case for your new Load element (see Load Tool Settings)

3.While you place the Load element, the potential host element (Structural Analytical Member) is highlighted. You also get a preview of what the Load will look like after placement.

Note: If you are hovering over multiple host elements, use tab to cycle among them until the right one is highlighted.

4.Click on a Member to specify the start point.

5.Drag the cursor to another node or edge of the same Member to define the line.

6.Click to place the Line Load.

Note: Loads are visible only if they belong to the currently visible Load Case. If you try to place a Load element that does not belong to the currently visible Load Case, you get a notification.

Preview_LineLoadSurface.png  Input_Line_LoadSurface.png

Placing a Line Load

Multiple Line Loads on 2D Member

On a 2D Member polygon: place multiple Line Loads by clicking opposite corners of the polygon.

Click Tab to see previews of alternative Line Load paths

InputLinelodOpt2.png  InputLinelodOpt1.png

Click Tab to See Alternative Placements

Click to place:

InputLinelodChoose.png 

Line Loads on All Edges (Shortcut)

Use space + click to create Line Loads on all 2D Member edges.

Place Surface Load

Surface Loads can be placed on the entire surface of a 2D Member.

1.Activate the Structural Surface Load tool

2.In Tool Settings or Info Box: Select a Load Case for your new Load element (see Load Tool Settings)

3.While you place the Load element, the potential host element (Structural Analytical Member) is highlighted. You also get a preview of what the Load will look like after placement.

Note: If you are hovering over multiple host elements, use tab to cycle among them until the right one is highlighted.

4.Click to place the Surface Load.

Note: Loads are visible only if they belong to the currently visible Load Case. If you try to place a Load element that does not belong to the currently visible Load Case, you get a notification.

InputPreview_SurfaceLoad.png   Input_SurfaceLoad.png

Placing a Surface Load

You can also generate live loads automatically on zones.

See Generate Live Loads.