Comments, Questions, and Answers about distributed loads in AutoPIPE.
From AutoPIPE help:
The Distributed Load command (selected from the Insert or Modify tab) enables the user to define or modify a linearly distributed load over a specified range of points. The loading can be added to any one of the defined static load cases
Notes:
1. Distributed loads can only be modified or deleted using the input grids. An error message will be delivered when the Modify > Other > Distributed Load or Delete > Other > Distributed Load commands are selected.
2. The copy/pasted operation for distributed loads data on a point/member is not supported.
3. Distributed loads are calculated as linearly interpolated value at the position along the pipe.
Question: What is an application of distributed loading?
Answer:
Heat / Steam tracing (examples imaged below) is an example of a distributed loading in AutoPIPE.
To model Electric or Piped tracing in an AutoPIPE model, select / highlight part of the model, press on the Insert > Distributed load command, follow help details for adding a linear distributed load. The distributed load should only account for the weight tracing (note, if using pipe tracing, weight includes tubing and content fluid).
Note:
1. The decision of which load case to combine with the heat tracing distributed loading is at the discretion of the user; suggest to associate it with the GR load case
2. In AutoPIPE, like with all other units, if a field contains units, you will see the corresponding units displayed in the lower right corner of the application window. If there are no units, it will show "None" or remain blank.