Notional loads (NL) are automatically derived from the factored loadcases within the current combination. They are applied in the analysis as a horizontal force at each beam column intersection as a specified percentage of the vertical load in the column at the column/beam intersection.

Settings that control the NL percentage can be adjusted from Home > Model Settings > NL (Global Imperfections). (The default value of 0.3% gravity force includes two parts: a 0.2% notional load (from ASCE7-10 or -16 Section C2.5) and a 0.1% notional load (from AISC360-10 or -16 Section C2 3 (3)(c) which permits τ_b then to be taken as 1.0).

The resulting notional loads can be applied to the structure in the building directions 1 and 2 as follows:

When you run the Combination Generator you are required to select the NL directions to add, and the factors to be applied as part of the process. Alternatively, you can set up the combinations manually and apply notional loads and factors to each as required.

Once you have created NL combinations and performed the analysis, you can view the magnitude of the notional loads from the project workspace. You can also display their magnitude and direction graphically in a results view.