Girder Parameters
Girder Layout: The girder layout is utilized to determine the position of the girder in both the longitudinal and transverse directions. The user is not required to input the vertical elevation of the girders. The vertical positions of the girders will be generated automatically based on the alignment, deck thickness, and haunch thickness.
Girder Section: Users have the option to assign a single section or multiple sections to the girder. Multiple sections can be assigned to handle situations where girders have nonprismatic variations. To access the editor, click on the three dots and choose "Edit". Users need to enter a Reference Support Line and Station Difference Along PGL to identify the section's position in longitudinal direction. Then, with the Section input, the desired section along the specified location can be set. Finally, if there is a nonprismatic variation along the girder, the Variation type, such as none, linear, parabolic, or circular, can be specified. When two positions and two sections are given, the variation of the section is applied between these locations and sections. Here are some examples of the different input types:
Haunch Thickness: The haunch thickness is measured from the top of top flanges on both the right and left sides. The haunch width is determined by the width of the section's top flanges. During deck construction, automatic computation of the haunch load depends on the haunch thickness and the width of the top flange.
FEA Settings
Mesh Size (Long.) : The maximum distance between nodes in the longitudinal direction is specified using the longitudinal mesh size. In most cases, a smaller mesh size can be generated based on the diaphragm locations, deck pouring or deconstruction definitions, or section change locations.
# of Result Extraction St.: The result extraction station settings are solely for viewing FEA composite results in either the spreadsheet or FEA view, and do not impact standard finite element analysis results like member end forces, node displacement, and node reactions. For girder code checks, exact code check stations will be utilized for FEA composite results.
Rigid Section: To connect the girder finite element to the bearing, the user needs to specify the properties of the rigid section. For more information on how to define a rigid section, refer to this page: FAQ: Rigid Material and Section Definition
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