> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.openbrim.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.openbrim.org/templates/openbrimfea/loads-fea/static-loads-fea.md). # Static Loads \[FEA] Static Loads holds the load cases and the individual loads that belong to them. **Load Cases** are the containers: each represents one loading condition, switches self-weight on through its weight factors, and chooses whether the solution is linear or nonlinear. Loads come in two families. **Element-targeted** loads name the object they act on - Nodal Loads, FE Line Loads, FE Surface Loads, Temperature Loads, Strain Loads, Cable Stressing Loads. **Global** loads are placed geometrically, by coordinate, path or polygon, and are distributed to whatever elements of a nominated group lie there - Global Point, Line and Surface Loads. The global forms survive re-meshing; the element-targeted forms are unambiguous. **Prestressing Loads** apply a tendon's force, and **Analysis Overrides** change an object's properties for one case only. The most common failure across this whole branch is silent: a load with no case assigned, a group that matches nothing, or a factor left at zero. Checking that reactions sum to the load you intended is the single most effective verification available. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.openbrim.org/templates/openbrimfea/loads-fea/static-loads-fea.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.