Die Visualisierung des Kraftflusses in Stahlbaukonstruktionen

Load path visualization for steel constructions.

Load path sketches illustrate the load distribution in structural components and can be found in many engineering textbooks. Although there is no stringent definition for a load path, the reader associates an analogy to streamlines from hydromechanics. The law of conservation of mass and the static equations of equilibrium show a term-wise agreement. Thus, the fluid flow velocity vector corresponds to a load path vector. By integrating these directional fields, one obtains the streamlines and load path lines. A load path starts at the point of an applied load and ends at a supporting point reacting the applied load. Free boundaries are touched but not crossed by the load path.
There is little effort to visualize the load path. Due to simple relations between load path vectors and stress components from FEM-programs, integration of the directional vector fields is possible with standard graphical software, thus resulting in load path lines. No special software is ever needed. Numerous examples will show the practical application of the load path concept and the special use for steel constructions.