Apply loads to parts

To apply loads in a structural analysis model, Tekla Structures searches for parts in the areas that you specify. For each load, you can define the load-bearing parts by name or selection filter, and the search area (the bounding box of the load).

Define load-bearing parts by name

You can list the parts that carry a load or the parts that do not carry a load.

Double-click the load that you want to distribute to parts.

The load properties dialog box opens.
On the Distribution tab:
1. In the Load-bearing parts list, select one of the following:
  - Include parts by name to define the parts that carry the load.
  - Exclude parts by name to define the parts that do not carry the load.
2. Enter the part names.
  
  You can use wildcards when listing the part names.
Click Modify to save the change.

Example

In this example, braces do not carry this uniform load:

Define load-bearing parts by selection filter

You can define the load-bearing parts by using selection filters.

Before you start, check if there is a selection filter available that suits your needs. If not, create one.

Double-click the load that you want to distribute to parts.

The load properties dialog box opens.
On the Distribution tab:
1. In the Load-bearing parts list, select one of the following:
  - Include parts by filter to define the parts that carry the load.
  - Exclude parts by filter to define the parts that do not carry the load.
2. Select the selection filter in the second list.
Click Modify to save the changes.

Example

In this example, parts that match the Beam_Steel filter carry this uniform load:

Bounding box of a load

A bounding box is the volume around a load where Tekla Structures searches for load-bearing parts.

In addition to selection filters or part name filters, you can use a load’s bounding box to search for the parts that carry the load.

Each load has its own bounding box. You can define the dimensions of a bounding box in the x, y, and z directions of the current work plane. The dimensions are measured from the reference point, line, or area of the load.

Offset distances from the reference line or area do not affect the size of the bounding box.