Point load Vs Distributed loads

[koolraj09]

Hi all.
Do we have a boundary (for classification) as to when a load can be called a point load or a distributed load?
Thanks.

 

[edgepflow]

For practical purposes, I look at the region the load contacts compared to the total size of the beam or plate.

For example, suppose you have a 30 foot long I-Beam with a lifting lug that is 1 foot long. I would model the lifting lug as a point load since it is quicker to analyze and conservative and the difference in the result is not very much.

On the other hand, suppose you have a 20,000 lb liquid filled vessel with its saddles sitting on beams. In this case, a distributed load is justified for analyzing the supporting beams.