Pier Stem [SIG]
A connection element : Pier Stems can be modeled using OpenBrIM.
General
Location: This parameter specifies the location of the Pier Stem. A previously created support line can be chosen for location definitions.
Stem Wall Length: The stem wall length in the transverse direction can be specified by this parameter.
Stem Wall Thickness: The stem wall thickness in the longitudinal direction can be specified by this parameter.
Stem Wall Bottom Elevation: The stem wall's bottom elevation for the element's height definition in the vertical axis, with respect to the global coordinate system, can be specified by this parameter.
Transverse Offset: The transverse offset for the stem wall, with respect to the chosen support line, can be specified by this parameter. A value of "0" indicates that the stem wall's center is located at the center of the chosen support line.
The positive direction of the Y-axis will be to the left when looking upstream along the PGL. However, based on the requests of engineers who have been using OpenBrIM for their bridge projects, positive transverse offset values will indicate the right-hand side when looking upstream along the PGL. This distinction should be taken into account when defining the location of bridge elements using transverse offset values (where positive transverse offset indicates the right side), as well as when making definitions related to FEM and loading (where positive Fy indicates the left side along the PGL).
Longitudinal Offset: The longitudinal offset for the pier stem can be specified to define its location in the longitudinal direction.
Section Type [Rectangular/Oblong]: The edges of the pier stem can be defined as either rectangular or oblong using this parameter.
Top Elevation Offset from Alignment: This parameter defines the pier stem's top section's vertical offset from the alignment. A positive value will indicate that the pier stem is offset downward.
Circular Variation
To define a pier stem with circular variations, the following parameters can be used:
Is Circular [YES/NO]: To enable circular variation for the pier stem, set this parameter to 'YES'. If set to 'NO', the parameters below will not be applicable.
Radius of Curvature: This parameter allows you to specify the radius of curvature for the circular variation.
Circle Direction [Concave Up / Concave Down]: The circular section can be defined to be concave up or concave down relative to the PGL (Project Ground Line) by specifying this parameter.
Circle Segments: This parameter allows you to specify the number of circular segments for the circular variation.
FEM
Generate FEM? [YES/NO]: Setting the "Generate FEM?" parameter to "No" can disable the analytical representation of the pier cap substructure.
Material: This parameter enables the assignment of a material to the pier stem. Materials can be either imported or selected from those previously defined under Properties > Material.
Rigid Section: To connect the pier stem finite element to the bearing, the user needs to specify the properties of the rigid section. When bearings are longitudinally offset from the support line, rigid elements are automatically generated to link those bearings to the pier stem.
Mesh Size: The mesh size specifies the maximum distance between nodes within the elements.