Ram Element - Assigning load in-plane of an Area

Question

The idea is to emulate the seismic force generated by the mass of a diaphragm.

Surface loads or pressures on Areas are typically normal to the surface. Is there a way to assign the surface loads or pressures in the plane of said Areas? Or do I need to use shells for that purpose?

Problem is there is no Assign Wind Pressures function for Shells when it comes to check for Wind and I am not sure if it's possible to create an area over a shell.

Thank you,

-Locke

Karl G · Answer

Deck areas are intended to be used with physical framing members but not intended for use over shells. 
 RAM Elements does not have a tool that will automatically generate in-plane lateral pressures for wind or seismic load cases like you describe. You would need to determine the diaphragm with another tool or outside the program and then manually define the shell pressure using the tool marked in the image below. You would need to enter the pressure and then a vector that places the pressure in the intended plane.

Ram Element - Assigning load in-plane of an Area

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