IES VisualPlate User's Guide
Loads
In VisualPlate, loads are applied to the model in a service load case. The appropriate service case can be selected in the Service Case drop-down list in the Home or Loads ribbon. Loads may be easier to see and select by rotating the view to get a 3D perspective of the model. Note: VisualPlate only allows deflection in the Z-direction and rotation about the X-axis and Y-axis.
Concentrated loads are applied to Load Points by selecting the Load Point(s) and clicking the Apply Load button in the Loads ribbon. The concentrated load consists of a force in the global Z-direction and moments in the global X-direction and Y-direction.
Line loads are applied to Line Stiffeners by selecting the Line Stiffener(s) and clicking the Apply Load button in the Loads ribbon. The line load consists of a force in the global Z-direction and/or moments which can be defined in the global X-direction and Y-direction or defined parallel and perpendicular to the line stiffener (i.e. in the line stiffener's local direction). Line loads can be entered as resultants or as distributed loads in the model.
Rectangular, circular, tubular, and ring loads are used to apply pressure loads and/or overturning moments to some portion of the Boundary in the model. Pressures may be uniform or linearly varying in the global X-direction or global Y-direction. First set the Area Load type in the Loads ribbon and then sketch the load on the drawing grid in the model. The size and location of the load can be modified if needed after the load has been generated. Note: Loads will not be applied to holes in the plate's boundary.
Select one or more Boundary and use the Apply Load command in the Loads ribbon to load the selected boundary. Alternatively, the Apply Multiple Boundary Load command in the Loads ribbon can be use to create a load that is applied to all boundaries in the model. Note: Boundary loads will automatically adjust to load the entire boundary if the boundaries's size or location is modified.