Area Loads - Gravity (All)

Form: Area Gravity Load

The Assign menu > Area Loads > Gravity (All) command is a way to add a factored self weight of the members as a force in any of the global directions, whereas the self-weight load itself acts equally on all objects of the structure and always in the global -Z direction. It is recommended that the actual self weight of the structure be included in the definition of the static load patterns.

Select one or more area objects to which to assign loads.
Click the Assign menu > Area Loads > Gravity (All) command to access the Area Gravity Load form.
- Load Pattern Name. Select the load case to which the gravity load is being added. Alternatively, click the + (plus symbol) beside the drop-down list to access the Define Load Patterns form; use the form to define a load pattern that will then be available in the drop-down list.
- Gravity Multipliers. Provide gravity multipliers in the global X, Y or Z directions.
- Coordinate System. Select the coordinate system for the load from the drop-down list.
- Options. Specify how the load is to be applied:
- - Add to Existing Loads: Adds the specified gravity load to the area object. If one or more load assignments have already been made, this option increases the load, assuming that a positive load is being applied.
  - Replace Existing Loads: Replaces the currently specified gravity load, if any, with the new load. If no assignment exists, the new assignment is still made. This is the default option.
  - Delete Existing Loads: Deletes any and all gravity load assignments made to the selected area object(s). When this option is selected, the items in the Gravity Multiplier area of the form are ignored when the OK button is clicked.

The window will refresh with a graphical representation of the load assigned on the selected members. If necessary, use the Assign menu > Clear Assigns command to remove the display of the assigned load.