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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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Delete Existing Loads: Deletes any and all distributed load assignments made to the selected object(s). When this option is selected, the items in the Load Type and Direction, Trapezoidal Loads, and Uniform Load areas of the form are ignored when the OK button is clicked.
If uniform and trapezoidal loads are specified at the same time, they are additive.
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To apply distributed load, select piping and/or frame elements to which you will assign distributed load, then Assign menu>Pipe Loads (or Frame Loads)>Distributed. In the example below we change the Load Pattern to WX, load direction X, and distance type to Absolute as shown. There is also the option to assign a distance type of "Relative", which enables users to assign distributed loads to percentage of length values along the element length. As you can see in the screenshot below right, the distributed load for this wind load pattern varies as a function of height from 8 lbs/ft at the base to 19 lbs/ft at the top.
