Applying Loads

• Preparing to Apply a Load—To prepare for applying a load, you often add regions, or create datum curves or datum points. You can also apply loads to intent objects. If it is not convenient to define load vectors or distributions with respect to the default coordinate system, you should also define the appropriate Cartesian, cylindrical, or spherical coordinate systems. You can also choose from several different distribution and spatial variation methods when applying certain loads.

• Load Distribution—Entity and pressure loads allow you to choose from several distribution and spatial variation methods. The spatial variation option lets you define a non-uniform load on a geometric entity. To do this, you can use either interpolation points or you can define a function of coordinates. For example, if you want to create linearly-varying hydraulic pressure or tapering load, you can select interpolation points on a curve or surface.

Furthermore, use Total Load at Point (TLAP) surface distribution to apply a load on a point in space that is distributed over an area and statistically equivalent to a load applied to a selected point. For example, if you were investigating a door hinge, you could apply a load at the door's center of gravity, which would represent the door's weight, and you could omit the geometry of the door. Creo Simulate resolves forces and moments acting on the hinge. You can also apply a Total Bearing Load at Point (TBLAP) to cylindrical surfaces and circular curves.

• Load Sets—Every load you add is a part of a load set. Load sets provide a logical means of organizing your loads and analyses. You can select one or more load sets for a particular analysis. Because convergence is performed for each load case, specifying more than one load set, rather than combining loads into one set, will increase computation time. The computation time, however, will be significantly less than if you run the analyses separately. Using more than one load set also allows you to combine and scale load case results in postprocessing.

You define the time or frequency dependency of a load set for dynamic response analysis on the Analyses and Design Studies dialog box. You can also transfer load values from a Mechanism Design analysis to represent structural loads, joint reactions, or body loads.

Before running an analysis, use the Review Total Load menu to check whether the load resultants are what you expect.

You do not need a load set if your model contains prescribed displacements, or if you are only running modal analyses.