# How to apply assumed uniform distributed load to model?

**URL:** <https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/how-to-apply-assumed-uniform-distributed-load-to-model/2579>\
**Category:** General Questions\
**Created:** [March 26, 2025, 5:11am UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/how-to-apply-assumed-uniform-distributed-load-to-model/2579 "2025-03-26T05:11:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![19757748](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/dfb087/32.png) [@19757748](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/19757748)\
**Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 5:11am UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/how-to-apply-assumed-uniform-distributed-load-to-model/2579/1 "2025-03-26T05:11:52Z")

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Hi all, I am a university student using PrePoMax for my final year FEA research project, in which I am modelling a elastomeric-and-steel-cord conveyor belt (i.e. steel cords held in a rubber casing). I have created the model in FreeCAD and have so far been using Extrude meshes for my simulations. (I also have another post open asking a different question relating to my project)

I have watched the both Hydrostatic Pressure videos listed in the PrePoMax manual, but in both scenarios the model pressure varies with position while in my model I have assumed that the load is uniform across the surfaces that it is applied on. I tried using some settings that I thought made sense (specifically I set the pressure change direction parallel to one of the model edges since I have assumed the load is uniform), but the simulation answers I got were notably different to the answers I worked out myself using my deflection theory lecture notes (larger by a factor of about 14x).

Is there a specific way I should be setting the load parameters? Thanks.

PS. for reference I have included a small-scale version of my model, with the bulk material in yellow and the protective rubber in dark grey.

 ![withload](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/prepomax/original/2X/8/818358349fe19250d5e8a683e1720be687251000.png)

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**Author:** ![FEAnalyst](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/prepomax.discourse.group/feanalyst/32/688_2.png) [@FEAnalyst](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/FEAnalyst)\
**Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 7:45am UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/how-to-apply-assumed-uniform-distributed-load-to-model/2579/2 "2025-03-26T07:45:49Z")

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> [@19757748](#):
>
> in my model I have assumed that the load is uniform across the surfaces that it is applied on

Then why don’t you just use the **Uniform Pressure** load in PrePoMax ?

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**Author:** ![19757748](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/dfb087/32.png) [@19757748](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/19757748)\
**Post date:** [March 26, 2025, 9:34am UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/how-to-apply-assumed-uniform-distributed-load-to-model/2579/3 "2025-03-26T09:34:09Z")

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Hi @FEAnalyst, thanks for the suggestion. I initially used the hydrostatic load as (from my understanding) the manual recommended it for modelling any distributed load. I did also try using the Uniform Pressure load but initially found that my expected displacements were off as well. However, after reviewing my working I realised I made an error in my analysis, and when I corrected for it my analysis agreed much more closely with the simulation.