Form: Pattern Data
Select the joints to which a pattern is to be assigned.
Click the Assign menu > Joint Patterns command to access the Pattern Data form.
Click the Pattern Name drop-down list and choose a previously defined pattern name by clicking on it.
Select a Pattern assignment type: X, Y, Z Multipliers or Z Coordinate at Zero Pressure and Weight per Unit Volume.
Specify the pattern value
X, Y, Z Multiplier Method. Type values in the Constant A, B, C and D edit boxes. The pattern value at each selected joint is calculated as Ax+By+Cz+D, where x, y and z are the joint coordinates of the selected joint in the current coordinate system. The units of constants A, B, and C are 1/Length and constant D is unitless. The calculated pattern value is also unitless.
As an example of this assignment method, the following input defines the joint pattern values used to apply a varying soil pressure load on a wall.
Z Coordinate at Zero Pressure and Weight Per Unit Volume Method. Type Z Coordinate and weight per unit volume (Wt per unit Vol) values in the edit boxes and select a Restriction from the drop down list, then click the Add button. If needed, check the Added Uniform Value per Unit Area check box to specify an added uniform value per unit area. The specified Z coordinate is assumed to be in the current coordinate system. The pattern value at each selected joint is calculated as:
|
Zcoord |
= |
specified Z coordinate |
|
z |
= |
Z coordinate of the selected joint in the current coordinate system |
|
w |
= |
specified weight per unit volume |
|
A |
= |
specified added value per unit area |
All appropriate unit conversion factors are used when calculating the pattern value; however, after the pattern value has been obtained, it is thereafter assumed to be unitless.
Note that positive and negative value restrictions can be specified individually for each set of Z coordinates and weight per unit volume in the summation as well as for the final calculated pattern value.
As an example of this assignment method, the following input defines the joint pattern values used to apply a varying soil pressure load on a wall.
Select one of the following Restrictions:
Use all values if all calculated values are to be included in the assignment.
Zero Negative Values if negative values are not to be included in the assignment.
Zero Positive Values if positive values are not to be included in the assignment.
Choose one of the following appropriate Options:
Add to Existing Values. Adds the computed values to any previous values.
Replace Existing Values. Replaces any previous values with the computed values.
Delete Existing Values. Deletes previously assigned values.
Click the OK button.
Example: Use of this command is demonstrated in Problem F.
See Also
Display - Show Miscellaneous Assigns - Joints