This may be a dumb question, but here goes: I'm preparing a structural analysis of a welded frame. I know the restraints and the external loads applied to the structure. Since the model has been developed in SolidWorks and has had it's material specified, do I need to also add the gravitational load or does SolidWorks Simulation automatically account for the mass of the structure when performing a linear static analysis. Sorry for the basic nature of the question, but I couldn't find anything in the on-line help.
Thanks for the assist.
John
Not a dumb question. SW Sim does not automatically account for the body loads due to gravity. You can turn them on, however. If values of body loads are on-order of external loads, they will probably change the result. Best to do two studies, one with, and one without. As it is a linear analysis, you should be able to observe [total deflection with loads and gravity] = [deflection with loads and no gravity] + {deflection with loads and gravity}. -Anthony