# Surface Load \[CBG]

## General

**Surface:** User must choose either an arbitrary polygon or quadrilateral definition that was defined beforehand.

**Stage:** Choose the stage at which to apply the load.

**Magnitude (Gravity):** Surface load magnitude applied in the gravity (global -Z) direction. Positive values correspond to downward load (e.g., wearing surface, stay-in-place formwork).

**Element \[Girder Top Flange/Girder Bottom Flange/Deck/Foundation]:** OpenBrIM distributes the defined surface loads to the chosen element nodes as nodal loads based on their respective tributary area.


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