Superstructure Components
- Orkun Gülel (Unlicensed)
Under this section, we’ll model girders, cross-frames, deck, connection components, barriers, and roadway in 3D. Since the parametric relationship between 3D objects and the FE representation of each object is already defined, the finite element model will be automatically generated by OpenBrIM.
Girder Support Conditions
Follow the below steps to set boundary conditions for each bearing location (insertion point) that you have defined while creating the bridge layout. | ||
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| 1 | Go to Bearing Fixity on the tree view next to data spreadsheet. |
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| 2 | Set Tx/Ty/Tz/Rx/Ry/Rz. | |
| 3 | Set Transfer Force to Substructure as Yes for interior pier locations. | |
| 4 | Set Transfer Force to Substructure as No for start and end support locations. | |
| 5 | FE behavior of Transfer Force to Substructure 
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Girders
Follow the below steps to create girders. | ||
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| 1 | Go to Plate Girder on the tree view next to data spreadsheet. |
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| 2 | Click three-dots icon on Girder Layout cell and set a layout. | |
Edit the plate girder dimensions. To enter a station-dependent dimension;
Follow the below steps to edit the plate girder dimensions. | ||
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| 1 | Click three-dots icon on the cell and Edit (spreadsheet). |
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| 2 | Define the station-dimension relationship on the spreadsheet. |
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| 3 | Top Flange thickness, web depth and thickness, bottom flange width and thickness, haunch thickness, and additional haunch width parameters can be defined similarly to top flange width. | |
| 4 | Click three-dots icon on top flange & web & bottom flange material cells and import a Material. |
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| 5 | You can edit the FE mesh settings of girders from FEA Settings tab. |
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| 6 | The girder FE model will be automatically generated by the OpenBrIM based on the parametric relation between the 3D and FEM in the library component. The girder section is represented using FeLine elements for flanges and FeSurface elements for the web. | |
| 7 | 3D view of girders: FEM view of girders:
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Cross-Frames
Add K Top type cross frames to start and end support locations and add X type cross frames based on the spacing data.
Follow the below steps to create cross frames. | ||
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| 1 | Pick 2 Girders that the cross frame will be placed between. |
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| 2 | Enter the Station of the cross frame. |
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| 3 | Go to Sections tab. |
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| 4 | Import AISCL8X8X3/4 and assign it to Top & Bottom & Diagonal Chord Sections. | |
| 5 | Go to Gusset Plate tab and edit the gusset plate offset values for top, bottom and diagonal plates. |
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| 6 | Go to Stiffener tab |
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| 7 | Edit the vertical stiffener thickness as 0.75 and vertical stiffener width as 7 in. | |
| 8 | Go to Geometry tab. |
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| 9 | Edit the offset values for top chord, diagonals, and bottom chord. | |
| 10 | Perform the same steps for X type cross-frames. | |
| 11 | 1. The 3D plan view after entering the cross-frames: 2. The FE plan view after entering the cross-frames: | |
Deck
You need to define at least 2 deck cross-sections along the deck.
Follow the below steps to define deck cross-sections. | ||
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| 1 | Pick 1st and 2nd Support Lines with no longitudinal offsets |
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| 2 | Pick 1st and 2nd Support Lines with no longitudinal offsets | |
| 3 | Go to Deck Cross Section tab |
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| 4 | Pick the Girders for haunch locations | |
| 5 | Enter the deck dimensions |
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| 6 | The deck cross sections at the start and end should look like the below. | |
Follow the below steps to define concrete deck. | ||
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| 1 | Go to Concrete Deck on tree view. |
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| 2 | Pick Cross-sections graphically |
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| 3 | Import deck Material and assign it |
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| 4 | 1. You can view the previously imported materials in Properties->Materials on the tree view 2. Superstructure 3D view of the bridge: 3. Superstructure FEM view of the bridge:
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Splices
Follow the below steps to define the bolt properties of the web and flange splice bolts. | ||
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| 1 | Go to Bolt Property on tree view |
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| 2 | Create 2 rows (1 for flange bolts, 1 for web bolts). |
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| 3 | Enter the Geometric Properties and Mechanical Properties as given in the input sheet. | |
Follow the below steps to add the splice plates. | ||
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| 1 | Go to Bolted Field Splice |
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| 2 | Pick or set the Girder | |
| 3 | Enter the Station and Gap between girders |
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| 4 | Go to Web Splice tab to edit the plate and bolt inputs | |
| 5 | Go to Top Flange Splice tab to edit the plate and bolt inputs |
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| 6 | Go to Bottom Flange Splice tab to edit the plate and bolt inputs |
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| 7 | Go to Bolts tab and select Web Bolt & Flange Bolt Properties |
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| 8 | 1. Enable/disable the display of splice bolts by editing the Show Bolts parameter. 2. Activate the Detailing from . 3. It is recommended to disable Detailing when there is no need to display the details, such as bolt and bolt holes, to get a better performance experience. | |
Shear Studs
Follow the below steps to add the shear studs. | ||
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| 1 | Go to Shear Stud on the tree view |
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| 2 | Set/Pick a Girder | |
| 3 | Enter Start & End Stations where the shear studs will be placed. |
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| 4 | Go to Shear Stud tab |
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| 5 | Edit dimension and spacing/count data | |
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Barriers
Follow the below steps to add F shape barriers to both sides of the bridge. | ||
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| 1 | Go to F Shape Barrier under Superstructure Attachments on tree view |
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| 2 | Click three-dots icon on Deck and select a deck | |
| 3 | Select the Orientation of the barriers on both sides |
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| 4 | Set the concrete Material of the barrier |
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| 5 | Enter Start Transverse Offset and End Transverse Offset as -243 in for left orientation and 243 in for right orientation. | |
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Roadway
OpenBrIM uses roadway data while performing influence surface based live load analysis. Follow the below steps to add roadway to the project.
Follow the below steps to define roadway to the project. | ||
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| 1 | Go to Roadway on the tree view. |
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| 2 | Select Bridge. | |
| 3 | Click three-dots icon on Roadway Dimensions and click Edit. |
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| 4 | Enter start & end stations and left & right widths as given in the input sheet. | |
| 5 | Keep the lane dimensions and asphalt thickness on the Roadway tab as default. | |
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