PLAXIS 2D

Question

Why is the unit of point load kN/m in PLAXIS 2D? Are 10 kN/m in PLAXIS 2D and 10 kN in PLAXIS 3D same?

Stefanos Papavasileiou · Answer

Dear Debasmita, 
 This is because in PLAXIS 2D we assume that the model is under plane strain conditions. The assumption here is that we have 1m slice of a model and in the out-of-plane direction, therefore the calculated forces resulting from prescribed displacements represent forces per unit length in the out-of-plane direction. 
 A point load in PLAXIS 2D is actually a line load in PLAXIS 3D. 
 
 So, the 10 kN/m of a point load is considered to be a line load of 10 kN with a length of 1m in PLAXIS 3D.