Use the Define menu > Moving Loads commands to specify paths, vehicle loads and classes, and moving load case results to enable moving-load analysis. Generally, the process requires creating the following definitions:
Paths are defined and then frame objects are assigned to the defined paths.
Vehicles loads are defined and then the defined loads are added to one or more vehicle classes.
The moving load case results to be saved are defined, which specifies what information is calculated for joints and frame objects, thereby controlling the complexity of, and thus the time required to complete, the analysis.
The defined paths, vehicle loads, vehicle classes, and moving load case results to be saved are then used in defining a Moving Load analysis.
Use the following Define menu > Moving Loads subcommands to prepare for the analysis:
Paths. Use the Define menu > Moving Loads > Paths command to define paths that describe how vehicles move on the structure. A path can be defined as a chain of frame objects, with an optional centerline offset if the vehicles are located to one side or the other of the frame object. Click the Define menu > Moving Loads > Paths command to access the Define Paths form.
Vehicles. Use the Define menu > Moving Loads > Vehicles command to define Vehicle loads. Click the Define menu > Moving Loads > Vehicles command to access the Define Vehicles form. After defining vehicles, they must be added to one or more Vehicle Classes before they can be assigned to paths in a moving-load analysis, even if a Vehicle Class contains only a single vehicle.
Vehicle Classes. Use the Define menu > Moving Loads > Vehicle Classes command to specify sets of one or more vehicles that can be assigned to act on a path(s) in a moving-load analysis. Click the Define menu > Moving Loads > Vehicle Classes command to access the Define Vehicle Classes form. Only one vehicle in a class acts on the path at a time. Results are reported for the vehicle causing the most severe response.
Moving Load Case Results Saved. Use the Define menu > Moving Loads > Moving Load Case Results Saved command to selectively control what information is calculated for joints and frame objects in the computationally intensive moving-load analysis. This command is useful in modifying the time required to complete the analysis. Click the Define menu > Moving Loads > Moving Load Case Results Saved command to access the Moving Load Case Results Saved form. Use that form to specify the response categories to be analyzed and the calculation method to be used.