Soil dead load (Load)

Soil dead load

The weight of the soil is calculated automatically by the program and is considered in the calculations, if it is added to a “+Soil dead load” type load case and then load combinations or load groups. So, the so-called “auto dead-load” is calculated from the geometry and material-dependant density value.

The direction of the dead-load is vertical, but the vertical direction differs in the different FEM-Design modules.

Dead-load (gravity) direction

Global Z direction

Table: The soil dead-load direction by FEM-Design Modules

Definition steps

1. Start the  Load case command, and define a “+Soil dead load” type load-case with a name (such as “Dead load”). So, the “auto dead-load” is allowed on load-case level.
2. Define loads under the load-case defined in the previous, 1^st step.

   The soil can be loaded only with Point load, Line load, Surface load (not with moments).

3. Add the load case defined in the 1^st step to load combinations/groups depending on the later design.

The auto dead-load is always invisible. Only the additional, manually defined dead-loads can be displayed (as point/line/surface load) by activating the layer of the host load-case.