Introduction to spans

It may happen that a 1D member extends over several spans. A continuous beam and a multi-span frame are good example of this.

The frame below has four spans that are 2 m, 4 m, 4 m, and 2 m long, respectively.

$image\span_frame.gif$

The second picture shows a continuous beam with five spans.

$image\span_beam.gif$

If the user designs such a type of structure, s/he may need to define a load that extends just over a single span (e.g. like in the enclosed picture).

$image\span_beam_load.gif$

SCIA Engineer enables the user to do this easily. The only thing the user has to do is adjust a proper "extent" of the load. This parameter can be adjusted during the definition of a new load. The parameter may even be changed for already existing loads. The standard procedure described in ESA help chapter Modifying the existing load >Changing the load parameters may be used.

The application of "span loads" itself is straightforward and requires no special preliminary steps. It is even offered in the Standard user interface level.