Moving load (Load)
| Property | Value |
| Default Short Command | LMOV |
| Icon |  |
The Moving load macro applies a pre-defined set of loads (Vehicle) along a user-specified path. Its working method is the following:
- User specifies the path and the preferences of the Moving load.
- The macro defines Vehicle positions along the path according to the preferences.
- The pre-defined Vehicle is added to each Vehicle position, producing singular Load cases.
- A Load group is created, containing the Load cases of the Moving load.
Defining a moving load
The following figure shows the definition method of a Moving load:
The options on the General tab are described below.
User Load group: Two option is available for creating automatic load groups from moving load cases. Self-created means for every path a different load group will be automatically defined. If the User wants to merge 2 or more paths in one load group - so the different moving loads will not act at the same time - choose the load group to merge with.
Default division: the method how the path of the Moving load is divided into segments. The Vehicle positions will be defined in the points of division and at the start and the end point. The division can be defined
- By division number: the number of parts, that the macro divides the Path into, will be equal with the given value. Accordingly, the result is one more Vehicle position than the user-specified value. The distance between the points of division (and therefore between the Vehicle positions) are equal.
- By distance: the software defines as many segments from the start of the Path, with length equal to the specified value, as possible. The last segment may be shorter than the others.
Loading options: the preferences of the way the macro defines the individual load cases along the path.
Return: if checked, two load cases are defined in each Vehicle position. The first one has the same X axis direction as the Local coordinate system of the path element its Vehicle position is located on. The second one has the opposite X axis direction.
Lock direction of vertical load: if checked, the vertical loads of the selected Vehicle are forced to be parallel with the global Z axis. Otherwise, they are parallel with the Z axis of the Local coordinate system of the path element which they are located on.
Cut load to path extent: if checked, every load case of the Moving load gets analysed. If it extends over the path, then the software trims off the overhanging part.
User can select the set of loads to apply in the Vehicle tab.
The functions of the buttons at the bottom of the dialog:
: Rename selected Vehicle
: Delete selected Vehicle
: Import Vehicle library from existing (*.vehicle) file
: Export Vehicle library to file
Defining Vehicles
The steps of Vehicle definition:
 | The size of the local co-ordinate system symbol can be adjusted on the Display/Load tab in the Settings window. |
Summary of Moving load functions
Define: the regular Define tool. It has two options:
Draw path: selecting it allows User to define Path by its corner point.
Select path: when selected, path can be defined from existing linear objects, such as drawing lines, bars, edges of plates or walls.
Properties: the regular Properties tool.
Vehicle: User can define Vehicles with it. This tool has the option:
Delete original load: if activated, loads used for the definition of Vehicle will be deleted
Vehicle position: allows the modification of Vehicle positions.
Add: defines a Vehicle position in a selected point along the path
Delete: removes the selected Vehicle position
Move: changes the position of the selected Vehicle position along the path
Reset: redefines all Vehicle positions on the selected path according to the Preferences of the Moving load. It removes all former modification of Vehicle positions.
Animate motion: Plays an animation that shows each load case of the Moving load, one after the other. The speed of the animation can be set with the slider.
