The third tab on the GUI displays the load definition page. This page allows the user to enter all
the applied loads and also specify the desired output parameters for plotting. Three types of
loads can be applied: pressure, thermal, and axial strain. The solution quantities available for
plotting include the displacements, stresses, strains, and strain energies. The default plot
resolution is 10 which computes the requested solution quantities at 10 equally space radial
positions within each cylinder. The permissible plot resolution range is from 2 to 100. Figure 7
shows the load definition page. Click on the figure to see additional information.
Figure 7. Load Definition Dialog Page
The user can choose any units when entering the applied loads. However, great care must be
taken to ensure that the load units are mutually consistent and also consistent with the units used
to specify the material properties. For example, if the inner pressure units are psi, then the outer
pressure units must also be psi, and the material elastic moduli must be entered with units of psi.
Likewise, the material densities must be entered in lb/in3 and the radial dimensions of the
cylinders must be entered in inches for consistency.