Question:
I have generated member loads from area loads via planes horizontal to the plane of a multistory frame. Each cell contains a truss as a diagonal. Although the diagonal has been excluded from the load, the member load distribution is linear in different directions after being disconnected on both posts.
What is the reason, and what should be done to apply the same member load on both posts?
Answer:
Once you select the corresponding members in the "Remove influence from" section, no load will be applied accordingly.
However, the load is still generated while considering these members. In this case, the diagonals are the reason for the antimetric arrangement of the cells subjected to the load. Accordingly, the member load diagrams are linear in the opposite directions (see Image 01).
There are two options to obtain symmetrical or constant diagrams of the member loads:
Select the "Constant" load distribution type for the uniform distribution (see Image 02).
Select the "Do not use any unloaded member for cell generation" option to obtain only a symmetric distribution (see Image 03).