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These methods allow you to apply various types of loads to your structural model including point loads, distributed loads, prescribed displacements, and self-weight.

​
add_point_load()

Applies a point load to a node within a load pattern. 
model.add_point_load(
    node_id=1,
    load_pattern_name='Dead Load',
    fx=10.0,
    fy=-20.0,
    mz=5.0,
    CSys=CoordinateSystemType.GLOBAL,
    replace=False
)

​
Parameters

​
node_id
int
required
ID of the node where the load is applied
​
load_pattern_name
str
required
Name of the load pattern
​
fx
float
default:"0.0"
Force in X direction
​
fy
float
default:"0.0"
Force in Y direction
​
mz
float
default:"0.0"
Moment about Z axis
​
CSys
str | CoordinateSystemType
default:"'GLOBAL'"
Coordinate system for the load. Options:
  • 'GLOBAL' or CoordinateSystemType.GLOBAL - Global coordinate system
  • 'LOCAL' or CoordinateSystemType.LOCAL - Local coordinate system (node-specific)
​
replace
bool
default:"False"
If True, replaces any existing load at this node. If False, adds to existing loads

​
Raises

  • ValueError - If the node or load pattern does not exist

​
add_distributed_load()

Applies a distributed load to a member within a load pattern. 
model.add_distributed_load(
    member_id=1,
    load_pattern_name='Dead Load',
    load_start=-5.0,
    load_end=-5.0,
    CSys=CoordinateSystemType.LOCAL,
    direction=DirectionType.LOCAL_2,
    load_type=LoadType.FORCE,
    replace=False
)

​
Parameters

​
member_id
int
required
ID of the member where the load is applied
​
load_pattern_name
str
required
Name of the load pattern
​
load_start
float
default:"0.0"
Load magnitude at the start of the member
​
load_end
float
default:"0.0"
Load magnitude at the end of the member
​
CSys
str | CoordinateSystemType
default:"'LOCAL'"
Coordinate system for the load. Options:
  • 'GLOBAL' or CoordinateSystemType.GLOBAL
  • 'LOCAL' or CoordinateSystemType.LOCAL
​
direction
str | DirectionType
default:"'LOCAL_2'"
Direction of the load. Options:Local directions:
  • 'LOCAL_1' or DirectionType.LOCAL_1 - Axial direction
  • 'LOCAL_2' or DirectionType.LOCAL_2 - Shear direction (perpendicular)
  • 'LOCAL_3' or DirectionType.LOCAL_3 - Moment
Global directions:
  • 'X' or DirectionType.X
  • 'Y' or DirectionType.Y
  • 'X_PROJ' or DirectionType.X_PROJ - Projected in X
  • 'Y_PROJ' or DirectionType.Y_PROJ - Projected in Y
  • 'GRAVITY' or DirectionType.GRAVITY
  • 'GRAVITY_PROJ' or DirectionType.GRAVITY_PROJ - Projected gravity
​
load_type
str | LoadType
default:"'FORCE'"
Type of load. Currently only 'FORCE' or LoadType.FORCE is supported
​
replace
bool
default:"False"
If True, replaces any existing distributed load on this member

​
Raises

  • ValueError - If the member or load pattern does not exist
  • ValueError - For truss elements, only axial loads (LOCAL_1) are allowed

​
add_prescribed_dof()

Applies prescribed displacements (support settlements) to a node within a load pattern. 
model.add_prescribed_dof(
    node_id=1,
    load_pattern_name='Settlement',
    ux=0.001,
    uy=-0.002,
    rz=0.0,
    CSys=CoordinateSystemType.GLOBAL
)

​
Parameters

​
node_id
int
required
ID of the node where the displacement is prescribed
​
load_pattern_name
str
required
Name of the load pattern
​
ux
float | None
default:"None"
Prescribed displacement in X direction. None means no prescribed displacement
​
uy
float | None
default:"None"
Prescribed displacement in Y direction. None means no prescribed displacement
​
rz
float | None
default:"None"
Prescribed rotation about Z axis. None means no prescribed rotation
​
CSys
str | CoordinateSystemType
default:"'GLOBAL'"
Coordinate system for the displacements. Options:
  • 'GLOBAL' or CoordinateSystemType.GLOBAL
  • 'LOCAL' or CoordinateSystemType.LOCAL

​
Raises

  • ValueError - If the node or load pattern does not exist

​
add_self_weight()

Applies self-weight loads to all members in the model within a load pattern. 
model.add_self_weight(
    load_pattern_name='Dead Load',
    factor=1.0
)

​
Parameters

​
load_pattern_name
str
required
Name of the load pattern
​
factor
float
default:"1.0"
Scaling factor for self-weight. Use negative values to reverse direction

​
Raises

  • ValueError - If the load pattern does not exist

​
Example Usage

import milcapy as milca
from milcapy.utils.types import CoordinateSystemType, DirectionType, LoadType

# Create model and add elements...
model = milca.SystemMilcaModel()

# Create load pattern
model.add_load_pattern('Dead Load')

# Add point load at node 1
model.add_point_load(
    node_id=1,
    load_pattern_name='Dead Load',
    fx=0.0,
    fy=-100.0,  # 100 kN downward
    mz=0.0
)

# Add uniform distributed load on member 1
model.add_distributed_load(
    member_id=1,
    load_pattern_name='Dead Load',
    load_start=-10.0,  # 10 kN/m downward
    load_end=-10.0,
    direction=DirectionType.LOCAL_2
)

# Add self-weight
model.add_self_weight(
    load_pattern_name='Dead Load',
    factor=1.0
)

# Create settlement load pattern
model.add_load_pattern('Settlement')

# Add prescribed displacement (support settlement)
model.add_prescribed_dof(
    node_id=2,
    load_pattern_name='Settlement',
    uy=-0.01  # 10mm settlement
)

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