Add Support Pressure

1. Select the Loading & Support workflow tab
2. Select a face on the model.
3. Select Support > Add Support Pressure to Selected Surface
4. In the Add Support Pressure to Selected Surface dialog, select the Support Pressure Type (Uniform or Elevation).
5. Set the Force Application (Passive or Active)
6. Enter the Magnitude of the support pressure.
7. Define the Orientation of the support pressure (Vector, Trend/Plunge, Normal, Local +x, Local +y, Local +z).
8. Specify the installation and removal stage of support pressure (if your model is staged).
   • Install at Stage - by default the installation stage will be set to the stage that you are currently viewing (i.e. the currently selected Stage tab). You can enter a different stage if necessary.
   • Remove at Stage - by default the removal stage will be set to Never. You can enter the stage at which the support pressure is to be removed (uninstalled), if applicable.
9. Click OK to add the support pressure to the selected surface(s).

Shape/Property Tab

Define Support Pressure Shape

• Rectangle
  • Width (m) and Height (m)
  • Magnitude (kPa)
  • Load Type (Uniform, Non-Uniform, Elevation)
  • Basepoint (default or custom)
  • Orientation (vector, trend/plunge, normal, local +x, local +y, local +z)
• Circle
  • Radius (m)
  • Load Type (Uniform, Non-Uniform, Elevation)
  • Magnitude (kPa)
  • Basepoint (default or custom)
  • Orientation (vector, trend/plunge, normal, local +x, local +y, local +z)
• Polygon (use table to enter custom coordinates)
  • Basepoint (default or custom)
  • Magnitude (kPa)
  • Orientation (vector, trend/plunge, normal, local +x, local +y, local +z)
  • Coordinates [U(m) and V (m)]

Base Point

The Basepoint is defined relative to a local coordinate system corresponding to the shape of the support pressure area. The Basepoint (u, v) snaps to the Location (x, y) in the global coordinate system. The U and V axes correspond to horizontal and vertical axes in the local shape, which is indicated at the right side of the shape/property dialog.

Orientation

The pressure orientation may be specified using one of the following options:

• Normal - pressure is applied normal to the boundaries
• Local +x - pressure is applied to the boundaries in the positive x-direction (i.e. +x)
• Local +y - pressure is applied to the boundaries in the positive y-direction (i.e. +y)
• Local +z - pressure is applied to the boundaries in the positive z-direction (i.e. +z)
• Vector (x,y,z) - specify a vector from the x, y, and z-directions
• Trend/Plunge - specify a trend and plunge (see Sign Convention for more information)

Location Tab

Location options allow loads to be either placed freehand on the model using the Freehand Manipulation commands or defined by coordinate on the modelling interface.

• Freehand Manipulation: these commands will minimize the Add Support Pressure dialog and allow the user to place the load "Freehand" on the model:
  • Move: move the mouse around the modelling interface and click to place the pressure in the desired location.
  • Rotate: move the mouse to rotate the orientation of the pressure, using the center as the base.
• Numerical Definition:
  • Location: Enter the coordinates to define where the basepoint (previously defined in the Shape/Property tab) of the load will be located on the model.
  • Orientation: Enter an Angle to finalize the pressure definition. The pressure area rotates with respect to the base point.