{live-template:Tutorial}

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To obtain the vertical loading on a [slab|kb:Shell] element which is modeled using a fairly fine [mesh|kb:Meshing], users may implement a *joint pattern* through the following process:

* For each loading patch, or set of patches which act together, select Define > Joint Pattern to define a [joint|kb:Joint] pattern, as shown in Figure 1:

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!Define_pattern_names_form.png|align=center,border=0!

{center-text}Figure 1 - Name joint patterns{center-text}

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* Select joints which are contained within the patch or patches. Next, select Assign > Joint Pattern, then assign a dimensionless scale factor _D_, such as 1.0. This process is shown in Figure 2:

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!Pattern_data_form.png|align=center,border=0!

{center-text}Figure 2 - Pattern data{center-text}

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* Select the slab elements, then select Assign > Area Loads > Surface Pressure to assign pressure (force/area) such that it acts downward on the top face, according to the appropriate [load pattern|kb:Load pattern]. This menu is shown in Figure 3:

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!Area_surface_pressure_load.png|align=center,border=0!

{center-text}Figure 3 - Area surface pressure load{center-text}

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* The pressure on each element will be interpolated from the product between joint-pattern values and the pressure assigned, which is 5.0 kN/m in this example. If only one element joint has a nonzero pressure, a quarter of the load will be applied. Load pressure is multiplied by element tributary area such that users need not manually calculate nodal forces.


h1. Display joint pattern

* To graphically display the [joint-pattern|tutorials:joint pattern] assignment, select Display > Show Misc Assigns > Joints.

* Select Display > Show Load Assign > Area Surface Pressure Values to display the area load assigned to each [joint|kb:Joint]