Load types#

These classes represent individual loads applied at specific points, along lines, or over patches of the grillage model. They are the basic building blocks that are assembled into load cases and models.

Factory functions#

create_load_vertex(**kwargs)

User interface function to create a load vertex.

create_load(**kwargs)

User interface function to create load types.

Class reference#

NodalLoad#

class NodalLoad(node_tag, node_force, name=None)#

Bases: Loads

Class for Nodal loads.

Inits the Nodal load class. NodalLoad requires a NodalForce(Fx,Fy,Fz,Mx,My,Mz) as input.

Parameters:

  • name (str) – Name of load

  • node_tag (int) – Node tag of grillage model for nodal load to be applied

  • node_force (NodalForces(Fx,Fy,Fz,Mx,My,Mz)) – Named tuple of node forces

PointLoad#

class PointLoad(**kwargs)#

Bases: Loads

Class for concentrated point loads.

Represents a single concentrated force applied at a point on the grillage structure. Inherits all attributes and methods from the Loads base class.

Initialize a PointLoad instance.

Parameters:

  • name (str, optional) – Name identifier for the point load.

  • point1 (LoadPoint) – Location and magnitude of the concentrated load.

  • Fx (float, optional) – Force in the global x direction.

  • Fy (float, optional) – Force in the global y direction.

  • Fz (float, optional) – Force in the global z direction.

  • Mx (float, optional) – Moment about the global x axis.

  • My (float, optional) – Moment about the global y axis.

  • Mz (float, optional) – Moment about the global z axis.

LineLoading#

class LineLoading(**kwargs)#

Bases: Loads

Class for distributed line loads (UDL and non-uniform).

Represents a load distributed along a line on the grillage. Supports both straight lines (defined by two endpoints) and curved lines (defined by three points forming a circular arc). Provides interpolation methods for computing load magnitudes at arbitrary points along the line.

Initialize a LineLoading instance.

Parameters:

  • name (str, optional) – Name identifier for the line load.

  • point1 (LoadPoint) – Start point of the line load.

  • point2 (LoadPoint) – End point of the line load.

  • point3 (LoadPoint, optional) – If provided, defines a curved (circular arc) line load through point1, point2, and point3. If None, the load follows a straight line.

  • long_beam_element_load (bool) – Apply load to longitudinal beam elements. Defaults to False.

  • trans_beam_element_load (bool) – Apply load to transverse beam elements. Defaults to False.

PatchLoading#

class PatchLoading(**kwargs)#

Bases: Loads

Class for Patch loads.

By default requires at least 4 load point for patch (quadrilateral). Can take up to 8 load points.

Initialize a PatchLoading instance.

Requires exactly 4 load points (point1–point4) supplied in counter-clockwise order to define the patch boundary. Up to 8 points may be provided for higher-order patches.

Parameters:

  • point1 (LoadPoint) – First vertex of the patch boundary (CCW order). Required.

  • point2 (LoadPoint) – Second vertex of the patch boundary (CCW order). Required.

  • point3 (LoadPoint) – Third vertex of the patch boundary (CCW order). Required.

  • point4 (LoadPoint) – Fourth vertex of the patch boundary (CCW order). Required.

  • point5 (LoadPoint, optional) – Fifth vertex for 8-point (higher-order) patches.

  • point6 (LoadPoint, optional) – Sixth vertex for 8-point patches.

  • point7 (LoadPoint, optional) – Seventh vertex for 8-point patches.

  • point8 (LoadPoint, optional) – Eighth vertex for 8-point patches.

  • name (str, optional) – Name identifier for this load.

Raises:

ValueError – If fewer than 4 vertices are supplied, or if the vertices do not form a valid counter-clockwise polygon.