Concrete U Girder [CUG]

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.

Open

Girder Layout- Concrete U Girder

Girder Section: Users have the option to assign a single section or multiple sections to the girder.

For the girder model to be generated correctly, a minimum of two rows of definitions must be made using the parameters listed below. Although a constant girder section can be used, defining two rows is crucial due to the requirement of assigning a section to the start and end of the girder (through support lines).

• Reference Support Line: Select a previously defined support line to specify the start/end location for a section.

• Longitudinal Distance Along Girder Line Layout: For varying sections, this parameter can be used to define the section as constant up to a certain point, after which a variation can be introduced.

• Section: This parameter assigns the section to a girder, starting from the location specified by the Reference Support Line and continuing to the next row's station definition.

• Variation (from the previous point) [None/Linear/Parabolic/Circular]: The variation between different sections can be defined using one of the provided options.

• Radius (for Circular Variation): In the case of circular variation, this parameter defines the radius of the variation. For other types of variation (e.g., Linear, Parabolic), this parameter will be N/A.

Open

Example definitions and the resulting model

Variation Examples:

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

Visual Settings

Girder Opacity: The opacity of the girder can be specified using this parameter. A value from 0 to 1 can be used, where a higher value results in a more opaque element. An opacity value of 1 may prevent viewing tendons through the section.

Reinforcement Opacity: The opacity of the reinforcements can be specified using this parameter. Similar to girder opacity, a value from 0 to 1 can be used, where a higher value results in a more opaque appearance.

Circular Smoothness: This parameter can be used to adjust the visual representation of both tendons and rebars modeled for a u girder. A higher value for circular smoothness will result in a smoother shape for the rebar or tendon when displayed in 3D.

Reinforcement

Show [Yes/No]: Users can specify whether the longitudinal reinforcements modeled using the U Girder object (under the Reinforcement tab) should be displayed in the model. To ensure that the reinforcements are displayed, users must set the Show parameter to YES and turn on the Detailing option in the top sidebar.

Longitudinal Reinforcement Data:

To further define the longitudinal reinforcements of the related U Girder, the parameters listed below can be used.

• Reinforcement Profile: A profile for longitudinal reinforcements can be assigned using this parameter. The profile can either be imported or assigned from previously defined ones under the section Properties.

• Reinforcement Material: A material can either be imported or assigned from previously defined materials to the longitudinal reinforcements using this parameter.

• # of Bars: The number of bars can be specified using this parameter.

• Inner Rebar Spacing: The spacing for the bars located in the inner parts can be specified using this parameter.

• Outer Rebar Spacing: The spacing for the bars located in the outer parts can be specified using this parameter.

• Reference Edge [Top/Bottom]: The reference edge can be specified using the options Top and Bottom.

• Distance to Reference Edge: The location of reinforcements with respect to the reference edge can be specified using this parameter.

• Offset from Start: An offset value can be specified for the reinforcements beginning from the start of the girder, in longitudinal direction.

• Offset from End: An offset value can be specified for the reinforcements beginning from the end of the girder, in longitudinal direction.

• Horizontal Offset from Center: The horizontal offset of the rebar group (defined in a row) can be specified using this parameter. A positive value indicates an offset to the right when looking upstream along the PGL.

Shear Reinforcement Data:

To further define the shear reinforcements associated with a specific U Girder, this section can be used.

The shear reinforcements modeled in this section will not be displayed in the 3D model and will only be used for code checks and design purposes.

• Start Distance (From Start of Girder): This parameter can be used to specify the distance where the initial shear reinforcement will be placed.

• End Distance (From Start of Girder): This parameter can be used to specify the endpoint of the shear reinforcement.

• Reinforcement Profile: A profile for shear reinforcements can be assigned using this parameter. The profile can either be imported or assigned from previously defined ones under the section Properties.

• Reinforcement Material: A material can either be imported or assigned from previously defined materials to the shear reinforcements using this parameter.

• Spacing: The spacing values of the shear reinforcements can be defined using this parameter.

• Number of Legs: The number of legs for the shear reinforcements can be specified using this parameter