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In the “Distributed type” field you will find both Distributed and Point load option. The distributed point load option is largely a hangover holdover from structural analysis in which engineers can assign point loads for internal analysis without having to divide the frame or piping into multiple pieces. For example, a 30 ft. long beam may have 3 or 4 point loads along the length which represent piping or equipment loads. For design reasons, the structural engineer doesn’t want to divide the beam into 4 or 5 segments, but he still wants to apply those concentrated point loads along the length. The distributed point load assignment accomplishes this.
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