Apply Loads

Loads represent the external forces acting on the structure. CalcSteel allows you to apply three types of loads, each associated with a load action (dead, live, wind, etc.).

See Actions & Combinations to understand how loads are organized and combined. Actions & Loads.

Point Loads

Concentrated forces applied directly at a node. Useful for representing equipment reactions, crane loads, or forces transmitted by other elements.

How to Apply Loads

  1. 1Select one or more nodes
  2. 2Click the Point Load tool (or press P)
  3. 3Choose the load action (PP, SC, W, etc.)
  4. 4Enter force values (Fx, Fy, Fz) in kN
  5. 5Enter moment values (Mx, My, Mz) in kN.m if needed

Applying a 5 kN point load to a node on the CIM warehouse model.

Examples

  • 50 kN equipment on a node: Fy = -50 kN in SC action
  • 10 kN lateral wind load: Fx = 10 kN in W action
  • Purlin reaction: Fy = -5 kN in CP action

Distributed Loads

Uniform loads applied along the length of a bar. They represent roofing weight, wind on walls, live loads on beams, etc.

How to Apply Loads

  1. 1Select one or more bars
  2. 2Click the Distributed Load tool
  3. 3Choose the load action
  4. 4Enter the value in kN/m
  5. 5Choose the direction: Global Y (gravity) or local bar axis

Selecting a purlin, pressing Tab to select the chain, and applying a 3 kN/m distributed load.

Load Direction

Global Y always applies the load in the vertical direction (gravity). Local Axis applies the load perpendicular to the bar axis — useful for wind pressure on inclined bars.

Area Loads

Loads per unit area (kN/m²) automatically distributed to bars based on tributary areas. Ideal for representing uniform loads on roofs and floors.

How to Apply Loads

  1. 1Select the bars that form the support surface
  2. 2Click the Area Load tool
  3. 3Choose the load action and enter the value in kN/m²
  4. 4CalcSteel automatically calculates the equivalent distributed load on each bar

⚠ Tip

Use area loads for roofs and floors — it is more practical than manually calculating the equivalent distributed load on each bar.

Selecting 4 corner nodes and applying a 0.5 kN/m² area load that decomposes into distributed loads on the purlins.

Load Visualization

Enable 'Show Loads' in the toolbar to see load arrows and values directly on the 3D model. Colors indicate the associated load action.

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