Loads represent the stresses and tensions which act upon the load-bearing structure, and which must be considered throughout building's life cycle.
These are represented in ARCHICAD’s Structural Analytical Model via Load elements, and supported in the SAF-based data exchange workflow. During roundtrips, all Load-related information is retained in the BIM model.
Note: Loads are visible only when the Structural Analytical Model is on. To turn on the Structural Analytical model, use the toggle from the View menu or the Structural Analytical Model Toolbar
You can also place new Load elements (Point, Line, Surface) in ARCHICAD, and define or edit data for Load Cases, Groups and Combinations.
Loads are associative to the Member they are placed on. Any change in the Member geometry or position (including the effects of Generation Rules) also affects the Load Element.
Load Cases and Load Groups
A Load Case is a “compatible Load arrangement, set of deformations and imperfections considered simultaneously with fixed variable actions and permanent actions for a particular verification.” (BS EN 1990:2002+A1:2005 - Eurocode. Basis of structural design)
In ARCHICAD:
•When you create a Load element, its Load Case is set in Load Tool Settings.
•The Load Case determines whether a Load element is visible or not (similar to element visibility depending on its Layer status).
–In any view, only one Load Case at a time is visible.
–The visible Load Case can be saved for each view, in View Settings.
•To see all of the project's Load Cases and set the visible Load Case, go to Options > Load Manager.
•Load Cases listed in the Load Manager are organized into Load Groups, a category used by many structural analysis programs recognize.
Load Combination
A Load Combination contains the data of multiple Loads which act on a structure simultaneously. Many analysis programs use Load Combination data to calculate the effect of these multiple Loads, using various factors and multipliers.
Load Combinations in ARCHICAD are used for compatibility with Structural Analysis programs. Within ARCHICAD, they function only to store and manage data.