Longitudinal
Enter the material property type and longitudinal configuration of a bridge to auto-generate the bridge model.
Model
Material
Material Property of the bridge.
Size of Plate Element : Specify the maximum size of plate elements auto-generated in the longitudinal direction.
Span : Specify the spans sequentially.
Radius : Check in the box and specify the radius in the case of a curved bridge.
Convex : Convex curvature (center of circle located below)
Concave : Concave curvature (center of circle located above)
Radial Type : Spans and supports are laid out in a radial pattern.
Parallel Type : Support lines are laid out parallel to one another.
Radial Type becomes activated for a curved bridge. If "Convex" is selected, spans become shorter towards the center of the circle.
Skew : Skew angle of the bridge in plan (θ deg)
Keep the pier directions uniformly for a curved bridge having a skew angle.
Fig. Skew
t, t1, a1, a2, a3 : Referring to the guide diagram, enter the slab data in the longitudinal direction.
Boundary
Supports
Specify the location of a fixed support along the direction of the bridge.
Elastic Link : Provide an Elastic Link for the bridge bearing.
Elastic Link Stiffness : Specify the stiffness of the Elastic Link in the translational directions.
Abut : Kx, Ky, Kz : Stiffness of Elastic Link on Buttress
Pier : Kx, Ky, Kz : Stiffness of Elastic Link on Piers
Advanced : Select to enter the stiffness of the elastic link for each pier and buttress in each translational direction.
Elastic Link Length : Enter the elastic link element. The magnitude does not affect the results of the analysis, as it is simply required to define the element.
Fixed Support
The locations of fixed supports are defined in both longitudinal and transverse directions. The fixed support lines are defined in both Longitudinal and Transverse tabs. Except for the cross point of the two support lines, all the remaining supports are released in the general directions of the support lines. The true directions are defined by Direction.
Direction
The restraint-free directions of the support bearings are determined by one of the two methods. The right-hand rule applies to the perpendicular direction.
Tangential : The restraint-free direction is tangent to the longitudinal axis of the bridge. (ie. tangent to the curvature of a curved bridge or in the direction of a straight bridge)
in accordance to Fixed Support : The restraints are freed in the directions from the individual supports to the fixed support.