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Force Load

In one sentence: Apply a total concentrated or distributed force to a face, edge, or vertex in a specified direction.

Overview

Workbench: FEM
Menu: FEM → Model → Mechanical Loads → Force Load

Applies a total force distributed over the selected geometry. The force is distributed across the selected face, edge, or vertex.

Parameters

Parameter Description
Force Total force magnitude (N)
Direction Force vector direction (X, Y, Z components or selected edge/face normal)
References Face(s), edge(s), or vertex/vertices to load
Reversed Flip the direction of the force

Force Load vs Pressure Load

  • Force Load — total force regardless of selected face area. A larger face gets a lower surface pressure for the same total force.
  • Pressure Load — force per unit area; total force scales with face area.

Use Force when you know the total applied force (e.g. bolt pretension = 5000 N). Use Pressure when you know the surface pressure (e.g. hydraulic fluid at 10 bar).

Common mistakes and pitfalls

Force direction varies on curved faces

If the direction is set to the face normal and the face is curved, the force direction varies across the face. Set an explicit global direction vector for most concentrated force loads.

Python API

import ObjectsFem
doc = App.ActiveDocument
analysis = doc.getObject("Analysis")

force = ObjectsFem.makeConstraintForce(doc, "Force")
force.Force = 1000.0  # N
force.References = [(doc.getObject("Body"), "Face5")]
analysis.addObject(force)
doc.recompute()

See also