Area Loads - Strain

Form: Area Strain Load

Use the Assign men > Area Loads > Strain (All) command to display the Area Strain Load form and specify the strain load on the selected area object.

Select an area object to be assigned the strain load.
Click the Assign men > Area Loads > Strain (All) command to display the Area Strain Load form.
Use the options on the form to specify the strain.

- Load Pattern Name drop-down list. Select the load pattern to which this strain load is to be 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.
- Units drop-down list. Use the units in this drop-down list or choose revised units for the form.
- Strain Load
- - By Object option. If this option is chosen, choose the strain component from the Component drop-down list and then specify the strain value for that component in the Strain edit box.
  - By Joint Pattern option. If this option is used, choose the strain component from the Component drop-down list, choose the pattern from the Pattern drop-down list, and specify the multiplier in the Multiplier edit box.
- Options. Specify how the load will be applied.
- Add to Existing Loads: Adds the specified strain to the area object. If one or more strain assignments have already been made, this option increases the existing strain.
- Replace Existing Loads: Replaces the currently specified strain if any, with the new assignment. If no assignment exists, the new assignment is still made. This is the default option.
- Delete Existing Loads: Deletes any and all strain assignments made to the selected joint(s). When this option is selected, the items in the Strain Load 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.