3.1.10.86. SurfaceLoad Element

This command constructs a four-node surface load element that applies uniform pressure normal to a quadrilateral face. The element distributes energetically conjugate nodal forces to nodes shared with adjacent 3D brick or shell elements. Use with -ndm 3 -ndf 3 or -ndf 6.

element SurfaceLoad $eleTag $iNode $jNode $kNode $lNode $pressure

Argument	Type	Description
$eleTag	integer	unique element tag
$iNode $jNode $kNode $lNode	integer	four nodes in counter-clockwise order defining the loaded face
$pressure	float	pressure normal to the surface; outward positive and inward negative

Note

1. This element has no stiffness; it only applies equivalent nodal loads to connected structural elements.

2. Apply the load in a load pattern so pressure can vary between analysis steps.

3. A triangular variant TriSurfaceLoad is also available.

Example

1. Tcl Code

element SurfaceLoad 1 1 2 3 4 -10.0

2. Python Code

element('SurfaceLoad', 1, 1, 2, 3, 4, -10.0)

Code developed by: Chris McGann, Pedro Arduino, and Peter Mackenzie-Helnwein, University of Washington