Intro
This plugin performs fatigue analysis for composite Railway bridges based on the NTC:2018 standard. It integrates seamlessly with MIDAS Civil NX and supports fatigue evaluations for concrete, reinforcing steel, and steel girders. The plugin allows users to configure fatigue parameters, import structural data, and generate fatigue safety results efficiently.
Developed with
- MIDAS CIVIL NX 2024(v1.1) US
Applicable Standards
- NTC:2018 – Norme Tecniche per le Costruzioni
Benefits of this plugin
- Complies fully with NTC:2018 fatigue design provisions
- Supports multiple fatigue checks: Concrete, Rebar, Steel Girder
- Provides visual outputs such as safety factor charts, stress range diagrams, and correction factor summaries.
- Allows smart data import from MIDAS Civil via API
- Manages fatigue cases with add / edit / copy / delete
Enables result export for engineering documentation
Supported Fatigue Case Types
This plugin supports the following fatigue evaluation types:
- Concrete compression (Simplified Method)
- Concrete Shear(Not Require Reinforcement)
- Concrete Shear(Require Reinforcement)
- Concrete compression [Damage Equivalent Stress Method]
- Reinforcing Steel [Damage Equivalent Stress Method]
- Steel Girder(Direct Stress)
- Steel Girder(Shear Stress)
How to use this plugin?
This documentation demonstrates the workflow using Reinforcing Steel as an example.
① Launch the Plugin – Open the application to access the dashboard for fatigue checks and MIDAS API linking.
② Connect to MIDAS Civil API – Connect to an open MIDAS Civil NX model to automatically retrieve structural data for fatigue analysis.
③ Set Global Parameters – Define the partial safety factor (γ) and project life (number of years or cycles).
④ Select Fatigue Type – Choose a fatigue check method
⑤ Manage Fatigue Cases – View a list of created fatigue cases. Use edit, copy, or delete to manage multiple scenarios.
⑥ Import MIDAS Civil NX Results – Click the button to fetch stress or force results from MIDAS Civil (load cases, stages).
⑦ Import from Midas Civil NX – Import element IDs selected in MIDAS Civil.
⑧ Load Data – Confirm the elements to be analyzed and load values based on their assigned fatigue conditions.
⑨ [Optional] Enter fatigue-specific parameters if required. This tab is available only for certain fatigue methods.
⑩ [Optional] Calculate Correction Factors –Compute λ (lambda) values according to NTC:2018.
⑪ Run Fatigue Analysis – The plugin calculates equivalent stress, damage index, and fatigue safety.
⑫ View Fatigue Results – Results may include stress range comparisons, correction factors, or fatigue safety factors depending on the selected fatigue case.
⑬ Save Fatigue Results – Save the current analysis result and export it for reporting or further review.
Note
- Requires MIDAS Civil NX version 9.5.5 with API access (v9.6.0 is not supported).
Conclusion
With this plugin, engineers can conduct fatigue checks for composite bridges quickly and reliably based on NTC:2018. From importing data to generating correction factors and calculating safety ratios, the tool simplifies fatigue design and enhances confidence in engineering decisions.