Hello,
Is it possible to create dummy plates or beams for load transfer, just like Autodesk robot, if yes, what are the parameters that shall be used for plates or beams. The purpose is to find a workaround to transfer the load without changing the stiffness of the entire structure.
Thanks in advance !
Dear ABR,
It's not clear what you would like to achieve. Could you give a practical example (maybe with a figure)?
With kind regards,
Dennis Waterman
Thanks for your answer, please find here below some additional information :
I have this structure with a load resultant at the point shown in the figure.
I was thinking, could I generate a fictional "dummy" plate just to ensure the load transfer from the point in the figure to the real structure.
My questions are :
- Is it possible ?
- If yes what plate characteristics to consider ?
I stay available if you need any additional information.
Kind regards
Jumping in out of interest: Nice model. I understand what you need with your comparison with Robot. There is no tool like that in Plaxis, but of course plates can be used for that. Let's think about it:
- If you make dummy plate, you need to make it very stiff. Otherwise, it will bend, and you will not get all the load. So, that's first note.
- In reality, does the all load from that triangle will come to the plates or will it just heave and move? If the latter, then defining a plate might not be correct. But I understand from your statements that you want that load on the plates.
- If you make a stiff plate, what about the connections? You need to put custom connections between your blue plates and green plate so that there is no bending moment. Try and see, make sure no bending moment is transferred. (Free connection.)
If you do these, it should work as you wish.
Answer Verified By: ABR
I agree with Berk, but have some additional remarks.
- If there is soil underneath the dummy plate you will transfer part of the load directly to the soil and not to the structure. There is not so much you can do about that. You could try to leave space underneath the dummy plate (by for instance excavating a thin layer underneath the dummy plate.but that usually gives numerical problems along the edges of that excavated area, hence it may not work. And of course if you transfer load directly through the dummy plate, the stress distribution in the soil underneath your structure would become different.
- You may want to give the dummy plate an interface at least below if there is soil below to avoid unwanted transfer of shear stresses.
- And of course the dummy plate should have no weight.
Thank you very much, will give it a try and come back to you with the results !
Thanks Dennis for the additional comments, your answers with Berk were very helpful !