Plate Girder [SIG]
- Zeynep Bayam
- Melis Ceylan
- mert.goktas (Unlicensed)
- Cagin Yakar
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 plate girders. The vertical positions of the plate girders will be generated automatically based on the alignment, deck thickness, and haunch thickness.
If the top flange width, bottom flange width, top flange thickness, and bottom flange thickness are changing at the same stations, the user can select all columns and view all parameters in one spreadsheet by clicking "Edit (Spreadsheet)”.
Top Flange Width: The width of the top flange can be specified by defining this parameter.
Top Flange Thickness: The thickness of the top flange can be specified by defining this parameter.
Web Depth: The depth of the web (vertical portion of the I-girder) can be specified using this parameter.
Web Thickness: The thickness of the web can be specified by defining this parameter.
Bottom Flange Width: The width of the bottom flange can be specified using this parameter.
Bottom Flange Thickness: The thickness of the bottom flange can be specified by defining this parameter.
Users have the option to specify changes in the plate girder section dimensions either along the PGL or along the length of the girder. To access the editor, click on the three dots and choose "Edit (Spreadsheet)". If the user enters the length along the girder, the end station will be calculated automatically. Conversely, if the user enters the end station, the length data will be calculated automatically.
Girder webs can have nonprismatic variations, which are supported. To access the variation features, the user can click on the three dots and select "Variation" to open the pop-up window. From there, the user can define variations using linear, parabolic, circular, polynomial, or custom functions.
The finite element mesh takes into account the locations of section changes and various other mesh quality parameters such as aspect ratio, mesh element size, orthogonality, and skewness.
Haunch Thickness: The haunch thickness is defined as the measurement between the bottom of the deck and the bottom of the top flange. Like plate girder dimensions, nonprismatic variations and various haunch values can be added by selecting "Edit (Spreadsheet)" from the three dots menu. Additionally, nonprismatic variations can be entered using the "Variation" pop-up window.
Additional Haunch Width: The additional haunch width is measured from both the right and left extensions of the top flange. During deck construction, the automatic haunch load computation is impacted by both the haunch thickness and additional haunch width.
Hybrid girders are supported, allowing the assignment of different materials to the top flange, bottom flange, and web. Furthermore, it is possible to use varying steel materials between different stations through station-dependent material definitions.
Top Flange Material: The material definition for the top flange can be made using this parameter. Materials can either be imported or assigned from previously defined ones.
Web Material: The material definition for the web can be made using this parameter. Materials can either be imported or assigned from previously defined ones.
Bottom Flange Material:The material definition for the bottom flange can be made using this parameter. Materials can either be imported or assigned from previously defined ones.
FEA Settings
Mesh Size (Longitudinal): 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 bracing locations, deck pouring or deconstruction definitions, or section change locations.
# of Result Extraction St.: The result extraction segment 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.
Additional Result Extraction Station: The results of FEComposite elements are generated for stations by default. If additional results are needed at a specific station, this parameter can be used. The FEA will not be affected; only the “Composite Element Forces” and “Composite Element Stresses” are calculated based on the “Additional Result Extraction Station” inputs.
Quantities
The quantities obtained from parameter definitions are presented to the user as read-only values under this tab.
Min Section Area: For varying sections in the row defined, the minimum cross-section area will be displayed under this column.
Max Section Area: For varying sections in the row defined, the maximum cross-section area will be displayed under this column.
Total Surface Area: The combined surface area of all elements is summed up and presented under this column. Each side of the element’s surfaces is accounted for in the calculations.
Min Cross-Section Perimeter: For varying cross-sections, the minimum perimeter obtained from the smallest cross-section is presented under this column.
Max Cross-Section Perimeter: For varying cross-sections, the maximum perimeter obtained from the largest cross-section is presented under this column.
Volume: The total volume of the entire girder is presented under this column.
Min Length Path: The shortest vertical length of the girder is presented under this column.
Length @ COG Path: The length of the girder along its center of gravity (COG) axis is presented under this column.
Weight: The weight of the girder is calculated based on its properties and assigned materials.