Defining Mass Per Unit Length

A mass per unit length distributes a nonstructural mass over the length of a beam.

You can deactivate this feature in the Model Tree from within the context menu.

See Also
About Nonstructural Masses
Properties Section
Ordered Geometric Sets
In Other Guides
Creating Simulation Features
Support Selection
  1. From the Abstractions section of the action bar, click Mass Per Unit Length .
  2. Optional: Enter a descriptive Name.
  3. Select geometry supports.

    Linear masses must be applied to one or more beams. You can also use geometry from an ordered geometric set.

  4. Select the Type of Mass:
    • Total Mass: Use this option if you know the entire mass that you want to apply to the supports.
    • Mass Per Unit Length: Use this option to calculate the added mass based on the length of the supports.

    Both of the options listed above define a mass that is distributed over the length of the selected supports. However, they allow you to define a total mass that is divided across the support length or a mass per unit length that is multiplied by the support length.

  5. Enter the Magnitude of the mass.

    The magnitude is either the mass or the mass per unit length, depending on the type of mass you selected in the previous step.

  6. If you selected Total Mass, select the distribution method:
    • Mass Proportional evenly distributes the mass over the supports according to the existing structural mass; the mass is added with no change in the center of mass.
    • Volume Proportional evenly distributes the mass over the supports according to the existing volume; the center of mass might change if the structure is of nonuniform density.
  7. Click OK.