Im trying to apply a load to a shell FACE. When i click on the shells tab, then i click apply loads to shells, distributed loads, it only applies the distributed load to the shell border. I want to apply the load to the entire shell face. I am also trying to apply a non-uniform distributed load. (tapered distributing load) to the shell face as well. but my main concern is how to apply the distributed load to the entire shell face vs. the shell border??
i looked in the manual provided w/ the program and it says this:
Distributed loads on shell faces
To enter distributed loads on shell faces, follow these steps:
1.- Select the corresponding load condition from the Conditions option in the status bar.
2.- Select the shells.
3.- Choose the Shells/Load on shells/Distributed loads on shell faces worksheet , type the face where the load will be applied, the direction and the values of the load.
Note.- It is posible to add loads with the tool “Assign distributed loads” , from the tool bar.
To add the load in all the faces of the selected shells, just select the shells and use the tool.
To add the load in one or more faces of the selected shells, select first the shell, and then the nodes of the face where the load will be applied
RAM Elements only allows uniform pressures to be applied to shells. Non-uniform pressures are not supported by the program. If you are attempting to model a varying pressure, such as a fluid pressure, you should segment the shells into smaller segments and approximate the non-uniform loading with a series of uniform pressures of varying magnitude.
Okay, but how do you apply the load to the shell face and not the border of the shell?
Let's call it the Surface rather than the face, just because in Ram Elements, "Face Forces" is a reference to the net forces on one edge of the border. For surface loads on Shells, Ram Elements is limited to constant pressures. the only way to get a tapered load is to split the shells up and apply stepping magnitude pressures.
Answer Verified By: Karl G