Apply point loads to any point on a pole and associated assemblies using the Point Load tool on the toolbar.
This allows analysis of ad hoc or highly specific scenarios including assessing maintenance loads, such as a utility worker working on a cross arm. It is important that any scaling of loads are included prior to entering the load values as load factors will not be applied to point loads.
Note, if the tool does not appear in the project's toolbar, it needs to be added to the enabled tools. Click to the ellipses in the bottom left corner of your project and in the list of tools ensure Point Load is enabled.
Point Load tool parameters
There are two categories of parameters that can be controlled in the Properties panel:
Options
Loads
Options
Control the parameters of the next point load including the direction, magnitude and environments it will apply to. See below for more information about the point load coordinate system.
Field | Explanation |
Longitudinal | Define the force along the length of the line, at the bisector. Positive values push in the direction of the line and negative value pulls against the direction of the line. |
Transverse | Define the force applied perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Positive values push to the left of the line and negative values push to the right of the line. |
Vertical | Define the force applied up or down. Positive values apply upward force and negative values apply downward force. |
Magnitude | Alter the Longitudinal, Transverse and Vertical values proportionally. |
Align force with | Apply defined magnitude to only the Longitudinal (L+, L-), Transverse (T+, T-) or Vertical (V+, V-) directions. |
Applied environments | Define the environment or environments that will include point loads as part of the analysis. |
As Options parameters are defined, the arrow that displays in visualization panels, such as Perspective, will update to show the direction the point load will apply.
Point load coordinate system
Point loads are defined by reference to the pole's internal longitudinal, transverse, vertical coordinate system. The longitudinal direction will align with the direction of the highest span on the pole. Changes in the line angle will cause point loads to automatically reorient. This may also occur if the highest span changes and the angle differs.
To independently define the position of point loads attached to a pole, enable Override Natural Orientation by following these steps:
Use the Move and Select tool to select the pole
In the Properties panel under the General tab scroll down to the Rotation section and enable Override Natural Orientation.
Note, changing the orientation angle of a pole will alter the position of existing point loads.
Loads
This section will update as poles are selected in the Perspective view of from the Selected pole drop down. Once a pole has been selected a table will appear showing the loads that have been applied as well as an option to add a new load.
The Selected pole dropdown will contain the list of poles that have point loads applied. If no point loads have been applied to any poles, this will have no results.
Viewing point loads
Blue arrows representing applied point loads will appear in visualization panels, such as Perspective, when the Point Load tool is selected.
To ensure point loads are visible when not using the tool, ensure the Show point loads option is enabled in View settings.
Note, point loads are only selectable in visualization panels when using the Point Load tool.
How to use the Point Load tool
Adding a point load
Select the Point Load tool from the toolbar on the left hand side of the screen.
In the Properties panel, update the Options based on the point load to be applied.
Select the structure the point load will apply to, either by clicking on it in a view like Perspective, or from the Selected pole dropdown in the Properties panel under Loads, if it already has point loads applied.
Add the point load by either:
Hovering over the structure in a visualization panel, like Perspective, until the point load is situated as required, either on the pole or cross arm, and left click to place, or
Selecting + Add new entry under Loads section of the Properties panel
This will add a default point load to the top of the pole.
Update existing point loads
Updates to existing point loads can be done in the point load tool or through reports.
There are some general updates that may be required:
Update a point load to apply to a cross arm rather than a structure using the Parent Assemblies option
Update if the point load applies in all environments or not using the Apply To All Scenarios check box
Where the Apply To All Scenarios check box is not selected, use Applicable Scenarios field to alter the applicable environments.
There are some fields that apply to all point loads regardless of whether they are applied to the pole or to a parent assembly on the pole.
Local Force X allows alteration of longitudinal force
Local Force Y allows alteration of transverse force
Local Force Z allows alteration of vertical force
The offset fields are dependent on whether the point load is applied to the pole or to a parent assembly.
Offset On Parent Z applies to point loads on poles, where 0 is the top of pole and moving down the pole is completed by applying a negative offset value
Offset On Parent X applies to point loads assigned to parent assemblies and is fixed based on crossarm attachment height on the pole (cannot be modified)
Offset On Parent Y applies to point loads assigned to parent assemblies where 0 is the point the crossarm attaches to the pole and moving along the cross arm is completed by updating this value
Note that depending on how the cross arm is connected, it is possible that this value is restricted to only negative or positive values
Update via point load tool
Select the Point Load tool from the toolbar on the left hand side of the screen.
Select the structure with point loads that need updating, either by clicking on it in a visualization panel like Perspective, or from the Selected pole dropdown in the Properties panel under Loads.
In the table of loads that appears in the Properties panel, update the required fields.
Update via report
Create a custom report for Poles > Arbitrary Loads
Update the required fields.
Delete existing point loads
Select the Point Load tool from the toolbar on the left hand side of the screen.
Select the structure the point load will apply to, either by clicking on it in a view like Perspective, or from the Selected pole dropdown in the Properties panel under Loads.
Delete a point load by using the table in the Loads section, either:
Use the checkbox in the first column of table, or select all using the check box in the header, and click Delete loads, or
Scroll to the end of the table and use the red icon in the last column to delete a row.