A new index (U~*)_(sum) for evaluating load path dispersion is proposed, using a structural load path analysis method based on the concept of U~*, which expresses the connection strength between a load point and an arbitrary point within the structure. (U~*)_(sum) enables the evaluation of the load path dispersion within the structure by statistical means such as histograms and standard deviations. Different loading conditions are applied to a body structure, and the similarity of the (U~*)_(sum) distributions is evaluated using the direction cosine and (U~*)_(sum) 2-dimensional correlation diagrams. It is shown as a result that body structures can be macroscopically grasped by using the (U~*)_(sum) distribution rather than using the stress distribution. In addition, as an example, (U~*)_(sum) distribution of torsion loading condition is shown to comprehensively include characteristics of the (U~*)_(sum) distribution of other loading conditions.
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