Applying eccentric loads (off-center loads) to members

What is an eccentric load?

An eccentric load is any load that is not applied to the centroid del miembro. In finite element analysis, cargas puntuales, cargas distribuidas, and other forces are generally applied to the centroid of the section (es decir. the geometric center of the section). sin embargo, in certain scenarios you may wish to apply a force off center – por ejemplo, applying a load to the flange of an I-beam, rather than the web. Assuming this is a lateral load, this will create a torsional force and an overall different loading behavior in the member.

How to apply eccentric loads to a model

Here we’ll take you through an example of how you can use Enlaces rígidosto apply such an eccentric load. By using Rigid Links, we can transfer the load from the centroid of the member to a different location. Enlaces rígidos are extremely useful for this sort of work, ya que calcula automáticamente el momento resultante y otras fuerzas de un lugar a otro.

Head over to S3D and create a new model. próximo, select the pen tool in the right panel or by tapping V . Haga clic una vez para colocar el primer nodo en el origen, luego dibuje hacia arriba unos 2 m (6.5pie) to create a column. 

Down in the corner by the coordinate system, hacer clic Sec1: No definida, then in the left panel, hacer clic  del Constructor to open section builder. Choose a column section, for this tech-note I have selected an Australian 150UC23.4, this is about a 6×6 I section for our imperial friends. In the left panel, click supports and add fixed support at Node 1.

Now we will add another member so we can create an eccentric load that induces torsion and another that creates a buckling effect on our column.

To see the orientation of your column, click the visibility icon on the right panel and select 3Miembros D. Use the pen tool to draw a 300mm (1pie) member in the X direction from the top of the column. Si “3D member” is switched on, you will see this member uses the column section. Click the new member, then in the left panel, change the type attribute to Rígido y haga clic en Aplicar.

Your model should look similar to the below:

Click Point Loads in the left panel. Fill out the attributes with the following values:

1. ID de nodo: 3
2. De Magnitud: -5 (Si su modelo usa el eje Y como vertical, add this value to Y Magnitude instead).
3. Grupo de carga: Buckling Load

Click apply and the point load will be added to the model. The Point Load ID will increment to 2 (Nuevo) so add another load to create torsion in the column:

1. ID de nodo: 3
2. Y Magnitude: 2 (Si su modelo usa el eje Y como vertical, add this value to Z Magnitude instead).
3. Grupo de carga: Torsion Load

Nodo 3 de su modelo ahora debería tener un aspecto similar al siguiente.

Ejecute el solucionador, then open render mode – el icono del cubo en el panel derecho. Change the drop-down in the left panel to Buckling load, the deflection scale to Auto, and the Member Results dropdown to Suma de desplazamiento. You can now see how the first eccentric load is causing a buckling effect. 

Note that if you would like to see a finer subdivision of the member you can go to Configuraciones Al arrastrar de izquierda a derecha, se seleccionará todo lo que toque el cuadro de selección. Solucionador, change the Puntos de evaluación por miembro to a suitable number and run solve again.

Now change the dropdown from Buckling Load a Torsion Load y el Resultados de miembros a Torsion Stress. En este caso, the member will appear grey as the torsion load is consistent throughout the member.

Notice that the contour scale in the top left still shows the magnitude of torsion that the column is experiencing.