Solid Loads - Surface Pressure

Form: Solid Surface Pressure Load

Surface pressure always acts normal to the element face. Positive pressures are directed towards the interior of the element. The pressure may be constant over the face or interpolated from values given at the joints. The values at the joints are obtained from Joint Patterns, and need not be the same for different faces. Joint Patterns can be used to easily apply hydrostatic pressure.

Select one or more solids to be assigned loads.
Click the Assign menu > Solid Loads > Surface Pressure command to access the Solid Surface Pressure Load form.
- Load Pattern Name drop-down list. Select the load pattern to which the load is being assigned. 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.
- Pressure options. Choose if the pressure is to be applied by element or by joint pattern
- - If by element, specify the pressure value.
  - If by Joint Pattern, choose the pattern and specify the multiplier.
- Option. Specify how the load is to be applied.
- - Add to Existing Loads option. Adds the specified pressure load to the solid object. If one or more pressure load assignments have already been made, this option increases the existing load, assuming a positive load is being specified.
  - Replace Existing Loads option. Replaces the currently specified pressure 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 option. Deletes any and all pressure load assignments made to the selected object(s). When this option is selected, the items in the Pressure 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.