Area Load Assignments Form

Additional form: Bridge Area Load Definition Data

Use the Bridge > Bridge Objects > Loads > Area Loads command to assign area loads to the selected bridge object.

1. Select the Bridge Object to which area loads are being assigned using the Bridge Object drop-down list at the beginning of the Bridge >  Bridge Objects panel.

2. Click Bridge > Bridge Objects > Loads > Area Loads command to access the Area Load Assignments form.

   • Alternatively, click the Home > Bridge Wizard command; select the Bridge Object to which the area load is being applied; highlight the Area Loads item in the Bridge Object Assignments area; click the Assign/Show Area Loads button to access the Area Load Assignments form.

3. Click the Add New button to fill the Load Data area with previously defined Load Patterns and Area Loads.

   • If no Load Patterns have been defined for the model, click the Define Load Patterns button to display the Define Load Patterns form; use that form to define a new load pattern or modify or delete an existing load.

   • If no Area Loads have been defined for the model, click the Define Area Loads button to display the Bridge Area Load Definitions form with an Add New Area Load button and an Add  Copy of Area Load button that access the Bridge Area Load Definition Data form, which can be used to add a new area load. The Bridge Area Load Definitions form also has a Modify/Show Area Load button and a Delete Area Load button for modifying or deleting an existing load.

4. Click in the Load Pattern drop-down list and choose the load pattern to which this area load assignment is being made.

5. Click the Area Load Name drop-down list to select the previously defined area load to be assigned  to the Bridge Object.

6. Use the Start Station and End Station edit boxes to place the area load by specifying the distance from the start of the bridge, as viewed from left to right. Note that the location of the area load relative to the left and right edges of the bridge object (or deck) is specified on the Bridge Area Load Definition Data form. As necessary use the Left Edge Variation and Right Edge Variation drop-down lists to display a list of previously defined parametric variations for the load alignment on the Bridge Object.

   • If no Parametric Variations have been defined, click the Define Variations button to display the Define Parametric Variations form and add, modify or delete a variation definition that can be used to specify a change in the alignment of the area load.

7. Use the Up and Down buttons to move the highlighted load data up or down in the list. The sequence in which the loads appear in the list has no effect on how the loads are applied during analysis and design/rating.

The Add Copy and Delete buttons can be used to copy the highlighted row of  load data in the Load Data area, or to delete the highlighted row of load data in the Load Data area of the form.