Bridge Area Load Definition Data Form

Use the Bridge Area Load Definition Data form to define a unique area load that has a user defined direction, value and location.

Load Name edit box. Use the default or specify another name for the area load in this edit box.
Units drop-down list. Use this drop-down list to specify the units to be used in completing this form.
Load Direction
- Load Type drop-down list. Specify a Force or Moment load.
- Coordinate System drop-down list. Select the Global or Local coordinate system.
- Direction drop-down list. When the Global coordinate system is used, the direction of the load as Gravity, X, Y or Z may be assigned. When the Local coordinate system is used, the direction may be assigned as Along the Horizontal Projection of the Layout Line (1), Vertical (2) or Normal to the Horizontal Projection of the Layout Line (3.
Load Value and Left Edge Value and Right Edge Value edit boxes edit box. Use the edit boxes to assign a value for the load on the left and right edges of the load.

Load Transverse Location - The location of the area load in the transverse direction is made with reference to the left or right edge of the deck. Both distances are necessary to define a transverse boundary for the area load.
- Left Reference Location drop-down list and Left Load Distance from Left Ref. Location edit box. Specify the distance of the left edge of the transverse load from the selected edge of the deck: left or right.

- Right Reference Location drop-down list and Right Load Distance from Right Ref. Location edit box. Specify the distance of the right edge of the transverse load from the selected edge of the deck: left or right.
Load Vertical Location - The notation provided here is informational and does not change regardless of the changes made on the form.

Access the Bridge Area Load Definition Data form as follows:

Method 1

Click the Loads > Loads Type > Area > Expand arrow command to display the Bridge Area Load Definitions form.
- Alternatively, bypass the Bridge Area Load Definitions form and go directly to the Bridge Area Load Definition Data form by clicking the Loads > Loads Type > Area > New command
Click the Add New Area Load button, or highlight a previously defined Area load and click the Add Copy of Area Load or Modify/Show Area Load button.

Method 2

Click the Bridge > Bridge Object > Expand arrow command or on the Bridge Wizard select the Bridge Object Definitions item and click the Define/Show Bridge Object button, to display the Define Bridge Objects form.
Click the Add New Bridge Object button, or highlight a previously defined bridge object in the Bridge Objects area of the form and click the Add Copy of Bridge Object or Modify/Show Bridge Object button, to display the Bridge Object Data form.
In the Modify/Show Assignments display list, highlight the Area Load Assigns item and click the Modify/Show button to display the Line Load Assignments form.
Click the Define Area Loads button to display the Bridge Area Load Definitions from.
Click the Add New Area Load button.
- Alternatively, on the Bridge Wizard select the Area Load Definitions item in the Bridge Component Properties area and click the Define/Show Area Loads button.