Wind load on surface meshing

Question

Hi 
 Can you tell me if this correct? 
 I generate surface meshing between my members (beams and columns), then I set the area load as a "pressure on full plate". I chose steel as a material for plates with thickness = 0.1mm to get a negligible weight and stiffness. 
 Is this right? 
 In which way will loads be distributed? (one way/two ways) 
 
 Thanks

Seth Guthrie · Accepted Answer

You'll find lots of similar posts on this forum. Just search for " composite beam plate ", for example. 
 I generally don't like to use plates for the sole purpose of transferring loads, because the plates and the beams will interact compositely and even a thin plate can affect the stiffness, deformation, distribution of stresses, etc. 
 STAAD.pro and Ram Elements both offer tools for creating area loads (see 1.16.3 Area Load, One-way, and Floor Loads in STAAD.pro) that are distributed to the framing in either a one-way or two-way fashion.

WKHA · Answer

What is Ram Elements? and where can I see 1.16.3?

Modestas · Answer

RAM Elements is another FEA program provided by Bentley: www.bentley.com/.../RAM+Elements 
 Chapter 1.16.3 can be found by going to Help -> Contents in STAAD.Pro and then expanding the Technical Reference manual in the list on the right side.