MOVING LOAD

This type of loading occurs classically when the load-causing units move
on the structure, as in the case of trucks on a bridge deck. The mobile
loads are discretized into several individual immobile load cases at
discrete positions.
Defining the input data
There are 2 stages for specifying these types of loads.
Stage 1 is as shown in the example below.
DEFINE MOVING LOAD
TYPE 1 LOAD 119.6 108.3 94.5 DISTANCE 1.778 1.5 WIDTH 1.8
TYPE 2 LOAD 34.9 34.9 34.9 34.9 DISTANCE 1.3 1.3 1.3 WIDTH 1.7
The above lines represent the first out of two sets of data required in
moving load generation. The type number (1) is a label for identification of
the load-causing unit, such as a truck. 3 axles ( 119.6 108.3 94.5) are
specified with the LOAD command. The spacing between the axles in the
direction of movement (longitudinal direction) is specified after the
DISTANCE command. Since there are 3 axles, there are 2 spacings
between them. WIDTH is the spacing in the transverse direction, that is, it
is the distance between the 2 prongs of an axle of the truck. For the TYPE
2 truck, there are 4 axles and 3 spacings.
LOAD 1
SELF Y -1.0
Load case 1 is a static load case.
LOAD GENERATION 75
TYPE 1 -3.278 0. 4. XINC 1.5
TYPE 2 -3.9 0. 6. XINC 1.5
This constitutes the second of the two sets of data required for moving
load generation. 75 load cases are generated using the Type 1 and Type 2
vehicles whose characteristics were described earlier. For the first of these

load cases, the X, Y and Z location of the reference load have been
specified after Command Type 1
Type 2 respectively.
The X Increment of 1.5ft denotes that the vehicle moves along the X
direction and the individual positions which are 1.5ft apart will be used to
generate the remaining 74 load cases.
The basis for determining the number of load cases to generate, 75 in the
example above, is as follows :
As seen in the Technical Reference manual, the reference wheel is on the
last axle. The first load case which is generated will be the one for which
the first axle is just about to enter the bridge. The last load case should be
the one for which the last axle is just about to exit the bridge. Thus, the
total distance travelled by the reference load will be the length of the
vehicle (distance from first axle to last axle) plus the span of the bridge.
Let us call this term "D".
If we want the vehicle to move forward in 1.5 feet increments (each 1.5
foot increment will create a discrete position of the truck on the bridge), it
would required (D/1.5+1) cases to be generated.
PERFORM ANALYSIS PRINT LOAD DATA
The load generation commands are followed by the PERFORM ANALYSIS
command. The PRINT LOAD DATA option is used to obtain a report in the
output file of the values and positions of the generated loads.

MOVING LOAD ANALYSIS

*****

30 kN
30 kN
30 kN
30 kN

Data:

0.50
0.50
0.50

0.3 x 0.6

10.00

Dimensions are in metre

Torsion is Released.
20 increments of Loads.
No. of Loads=10.0/0.50=20

Provide 20+1=21.

Load increment in X increment=0.50m.

After verification place the loads before (-)2.0m so that No. of Load
Generation=25.
1.Geometry creation:
New Project

Select Plane Units:Length =meters;

Force=KN; File Name=Moving load

Select Add beam

Finish.

Front view.
Click Snap Node/beam Edit

Next

X-Y Plane
X Right 10m spacing 1m
Y Right

0m

spacing 1m

Click (0,0), (10,0) and Press Esc.

Switch off the grid by closing Snap/ Nodal beam.
Click dimension icon and verify the Geometry created.
2. Member Property :
Click General

Property Define Rectangle

YD=0.60

ZD=0.30 Add Close. Highlight YD=0.60 ZD=0.30 and Select

entire structure Assign to selected beam Assign Yes.
3. Supports :
Click Support Create Fixed Add. Highlight support 2 and
select the nodes by windowing using node cursor Assign to
selected nodes Assign Yes Close De select the nodes and
change to beam cursor.
4.Loading :
Main menu Commands Loading Definitions Vehicle Load.

Fig.1

Vehicle load Command

Fig. 2 Entering vehicle load

Vehicle Type Ref. 1
1

Load
30

width =0
Distance
0.5

30

30

30

0.5
0.5
0.5
5

30

Add Close.

Click Load case details Add Load Generation.

No. of Load to be Generated=20 Add.

Fig. 3 No. of load to be generated

Highlight Load Title Generate Load
X=0

Load increment

Y=0

X increment =0.5

Z=0
Add Close.

Fig.4 Enter Data for Load generation

5.Analysis Type :
Click Analysis/print

No print Add Close.

Click post print Define commands Analysis resultsAdd Close,

Note: Save the File and Run the Program.
6. Analysis:
From Main Menu ` Analysis Run Analysis Done.
Select the member and double click on it Shear bending Close.
7. Results :
Go to post processing mode. Maximize screen. Click deflections
for various load position.

Fig. 5 Load Generation for starting case

Fig. 6 Load generation for Load Generation no. 20

Similarly Click Mz for various load position.

Fig. 7 BMD for Envelope

Click Fy for various load position.
After that Go to Staad editor and edit the input file.
Load Generation=25
Change the next line as follows: (In order to start the first point of
load as fourth load at zero starting point)

1 -2.0 0 0
Save the file.

Fig. 7 Editing STAAD File for load generation=25

Click Analysis Run Analysis Done.
First load to be started at beginning point. Click Load icon and press
downward arrow key to move the load from Left to Right. Now you
can see that the last load stop before the end of the beam. In order
to correct this, go to Staad editor and correct the No. of Load to
be Generated=25 and save the file.
Click Analysis/print No print Add Close.
Analysis Run Analysis done.
Go to post processing Mode. Switch on Load icon and move the load
from left to right.

Fig.8 Load position for load generation case No. 20

You can see the BMD, SF for various load position.

Fig. 9 Revised BMD for envelope