Add Line Load

Concentrated loads can be modelled with the Line Load option in Slide2. A line load magnitude represents a FORCE per UNIT LENGTH (e.g. kN/m) when considering the out-of-plane dimension of the model.

To add a line load:

1. Select Add Line Load from the toolbar or the Loading menu.
2. In the Line Load dialog, enter the load magnitude and orientation (see below for details), and select OK.
3. As you move the mouse, you will notice an arrow which follows the cursor, and "snaps" to the nearest point on the nearest boundary. Note that the orientation of the arrow corresponds to the orientation type you selected in the Line Load dialog (i.e. Normal, Horizontal, Vertical or Angle).
You can add a load on the External Boundary or a Material Boundary. You cannot add loads to water surface or tension crack boundaries.
4. Enter the load location on the desired boundary, graphically with the mouse, or by entering x-y coordinates in the prompt line. The load will be added to the model as you will see by the red arrow applied according to the orientation you have selected. The load magnitude will also be displayed.

Load Magnitude

• A line load magnitude represents a FORCE per UNIT LENGTH (e.g. kN/m) when considering the out-of-plane dimension of the model.
• In Slide2 the load magnitude is ALWAYS entered as a POSITIVE value. The direction of load application is specified by selecting an appropriate Orientation method (see below) in the Line Load dialog.

Load Orientation

The load orientation in Slide2 may be specified using one of five options:

• Normal to Boundary – loads are applied normal to boundaries
• Vertical – loads are applied vertically (default = downwards)
• Horizontal – loads are applied horizontally (default = against the direction of failure)
• Angle from Horizontal – specify an angle from the horizontal. Note that a POSITIVE angle is measured counter-clockwise from the positive X-axis direction.
• Angle to Boundary – specify an angle relative to the boundary on which the load is added.

Excess Pore Pressure

The Excess Pore Pressure option in the Line Load dialog, will only be available if the "Calculate Excess Pore Pressure (B-bar method)" checkbox is selected in the Groundwater tab of the Project Settings dialog.

If you select the "Load creates excess pore pressure" checkbox, then the load will generate excess pore pressure, for all materials situated beneath the load, with a B-bar > 0. Only the vertical component of loads contributes to the excess pore pressure. For more information see the Excess Pore Pressure topic.