Suspension Bridge Generator

 

This CivilFEM utility allows generating the geometry with the following characteristics:

-          Bridge suspended or not.

-          Symmetric or non symmetric bridge

-          Three different possibilities for roadway deck section:

o   Bridge Section: Slab or Box.

o   Solid Section.

o   Pattern.

-          Bridge is divided in three zones which are:

o   Beginning or left segment.

o   Central.

o   Ending or right segment.

All zones consist of straight path and in elevation view are straight lines or parabolas.

 

When it is a cable-stayed bridge, structure  has two towers, each one with one or two lintels where cables are anchored to.

 

 

In the generated bridge 3D model all norms and conventions used in Bridges Module are kept up and , as well, all utilities for load generation are applicable.

 

In next chapters all considered typologies will be explained.

 

 

1      BRIDGES GENERATED WITH A  BRIDGE SECTION

 

1.1      TYPOLOGIES

 

The sections admissible, slab or box, are generated with the Bridge Module.

 

 

 

 

1.2      USING THE GENERATOR

 

Before using the generador, all these steps must be defined:

 

-          Units System.

-          Materials: Concrete, Reinforcing Steel and Prestressing Steel.

-          Element types for main cables, suspenders and towers.

-          Define the bridge section with CivilFEM Bridge Module

 

After that, the generator window appears with the ~BRPD, FileName command

 

or using the Main Menu path:

 

Civil Preprocessor > Bridges Prep > Predesigned bridges > Concrete Suspension Bridge

 

 

 

1.3      FILLING IN DATA IN GENERATOR WINDOW

 

The Suspension Bridge Generator Window for a Concrete Section is divided in General data for the whole bridge and specific for left, central and right segment. All parameters are explained in next step.

 

 

 

 

1.4      DATA EXPLANATION

 

Taking into account the next figure, all parameters are explained below.

 

 

 

 

 

Initial point and tolerance:

 

XLi, YLi	X, Y coordinates of initial left point of the bridge.
EPS	Tolerance for nodes.

 

Model and meshing parameters:

 

EIType	Element type (necessary SOLID45).
EIMat	Element material.
SIZEV, SIZET, SIZEL, SIZEH	Size of vertical, transverse, longitudinal and holes divisions, respectively.

Parameters of symmetry and typology:

Symm Y/N	1 if symmetric. 0 otherwise.
Cables Y/N	1 if it is a suspension bridge. 0 only bridge deck, not in suspension.

 

Left, center and right segments:

 

DL, DC, DR	Array of lengths in left, central and right segments, respectively. The first and the last points of the bridge are free. Distances should be separated by ',' and may be repeated with '@'. Example: 4.5, 6@3.5, 4.5 are the same as: 4.5, 3.5, 3.5, 3.5, 3.5, 3.5, 3.5, 4.5
PL1, PC1, PR1	Slope at the beginning of left, central and right segments, respectively (positive up).
SL1,  SLm,  SL2	Sections at beginning, middle and final, respectively of left segment.
SCm, SC2 y SRm, SR2	Middle and final sections in central and right segments, respectively.
TrL, TrC, TrR	Tangent of left, central and right segments, respectively ( 0 for smooth; 1 for discontinue).
ZL1	Height at the beginning of left segment.
ZL2, ZC2, ZR2	Height at the end of left, central and right segments, respectively.

 

Cables characteristics:

 

tHL, tHC, tHR	Hanger type at left, central and right segments, respectively.
mHL, mHC, mHR	Hanger material at left, central and right segments, respectively.
rHL, rHC, rHR	Real constants at left, central and right segments, respectively.
tHT	Vertical suspension cable type.
mHT	Vertical suspension cable material.
rHT	Vertical suspension cable real constants.

 

Anchorage location:

 

eLSx, eLSz	X, Z  initial coordinates of top left hanger.
eRSx, eRSz	X, Z  initial coordinates of top right hanger.
ybLT, ybLB	Y coordinate of top and bottom left hanger.
ybRT, ybRB	Y coordinate of top and bottom right hanger.
ypLS, ypCS, ypRS	Initial slope of left, central and right segment cables (%).

 

 

Towers inclination:

 

AlphaLt , AlphaLm , AlphaLb	Top, middle (between lintels)  and bottom left tower angle with vertical (º).
AlphaRt , AlphaRm , AlphaRb	Top, middle (between lintels)  and bottom left tower angle with vertical (º).

 

Towers:

 

TMPor	Tower material type.
Ttpor	Tower element type.
zPL(),zPR()	Array of heights of the divisions in left and right columns tower, respectively. Heights should be separated by ',' Example: 0.5 , 2.3 , 5.0 , 6.2 , 7.5
sPL(),sPR()	Beam&Shell properties of left and right columns tower, respectively.
DTLyn, DTRyn	Value equal to 1 generates top lintel in left and right columns tower, respectively.
DBLyn, DBRyn	Value equal to 1 generates bottom lintel in left and right columns tower, respectively.
NDivDL, NDivDR	Number of divisions in left and right lintels, respectively.
BPDTL, BPDBL	Beam&Shell properties of top and bottom lintels, respectively, of left segment.
BPDTR, BPDBR	Beam&Shell properties of top and bottom lintels, respectively, of right segment.
PzDTL, PzDBL	Number of division in zPL() for top and bottom left lintel, respectively.
PzDTR, PzDBR	Number of division in zPR() for top and bottom right lintel, respectively.

 

2      BRIDGES GENERATED WITH A  SOLID SECTION   

 

2.1      TYPOLOGY

The cross section is first modeled with ANSYS and then captured as a Solid Section  with CivilFEM.

 

 

In bridge solid generation, linear elements are converted into shell elements and 2D elements into brick.

 

2.2      USING THE GENERATOR

Before using the generator, all these steps must be defined:

 

-          Units System.

-          Materials: Concrete, Reinforcing Steel and Prestressing Steel.

-          Element types for main cables, suspenders and towers.

-          Model definition of the generic section.

-          Cross section capture.

 

After that, the generator window is shown with the ~BRPD, FileName command.

 

or using the Main Menu path:

 

Civil Preprocessor > Bridges Prep > Predesigned bridges > Generic Suspension Bridge

 

 

2.3      FILLING IN DATA IN GENERATOR WINDOW

 

The Suspension Bridge Generator  Window for a Generic Section is divided in General data for the whole bridge and specific for left, central and right segment. All parameters are explained in next step.

 

 

 

 

2.4      DATA EXPLANATION

 

Taking into account the next figure, all parameters are explained below.

 

 

For more clarity and less redundancy, only specific parameters  for a generic section are explained because

The rest of them were defined in last chapter.

 

Model and meshing parameters:

 

SecTr	Generic section of the bridge.
ZintLay, YIntLay	Y, Z coordinates of intersection point between section and bridge axis.
SizeL	Size of longitudinal divisions in bridge section.

 

Parameters of symmetry and tipology:

 

Symm Y/N	1 if symmetric. 0 otherwise.
Cables Y/N	1 if it is a suspension bridge. 0 only bridge deck, not in suspension.
VarConc Y/N	0 to apply edge variation to steel and concrete. 1 to apply edge variation only to steel.
DirMO	1 sets section normal to deck. 0 sets section in YZ global plane.

 

Left, center and right segments :

 

DL, DC, DR	Array of lengths in left, central and right segments, respectively. The first and the last points of the bridge are free. Distances should be separated by ',' and may be repeated with '@'.Example: 4.5 , 6@3.5 , 4.5 is the same as: 4.5 , 3.5 , 3.5 , 3.5 , 3.5 , 3.5 , 3.5 , 4.5
PL1, PC1, PR1	Slope at the beginning of left, central and right segments, respectively (positive up).
CL1,  CLm, CL2	Deck thickness at the beginning, middle and final, respectively of left segment.
CCm, CC2 and CRm, CR2	Middle and final deck thickness in central and right segments, respectively.
ZL1	Height at the beginning of left segment.
ZL2, ZC2, ZR2	Height at the end of left, central and right segments, respectively.

  

 

3      BRIDGES GENERATED WITH A PATTERN SKETCH   

 

3.1      TYPOLOGY

The admissible sections are the ones generated starting from a  pattern or bars module.

 

 

 

A pattern is just a group of bars joining nodes defined inside a cube-shaped mesh.

Definition of a pattern consists of:

 

-          Separation between normal planes to axes I, J, K, when nodes intersect each other.

-          Connection between net nodes, which will be the pattern bars.

-          Bars characteristics.

 

 

3.2      USING THE GENERATOR

Before using the generator, all these steps must be defined:

 

-          Units System.

-          Materials: Concrete, Reinforcing Steel and Prestressing Steel.

-          Element types for main cables, suspenders, pattern bars and towers.

-          Model definition of the generic section.

-          Cross section capture.

 

After that, the generator window is shown with the ~BRPD, FileName command

 

or using the Main Menu path:

 

Civil Preprocessor > Bridges Prep > Predesigned bridges > Steel Suspension Bridge

 

 

3.3      FILLING IN DATA IN GENERATOR WINDOW

 

The Suspension Bridge Generator  Window for a Steel Section is divided in General data for the whole bridge and specific for left, central and right segment. All parameters are explained in next step.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.4      DATA EXPLANATION

 

Taking into account the next figure, all parameters are explained below.

 

 

 

For more clarity and less redundancy, only specific parameters  for a generic section are explained because

The rest of them were defined in previous chapters:

 

Pattern:

 

MoTyp	Element type for pattern bars.
MatMO	Elements material for pattern bars.
W_Deck	Deck width.
OriNod	Origin node of selected bar.
DesNod	Destination node of selected bar.
MoCon	If it equals 0 there is no bar between these two nodes otherwise it is the Beam & Shell properties number of the bar.
ModvX()	Array of relative X coordinates of the divisions in the pattern.
ModvY()	Array of relative Y coordinates of the divisions in the pattern.
ModvZ()	Array of relative Z coordinates of the divisions in the pattern. The first relative coordinate has to be 0.0 and the last 1.0. A negative value in a position between second and penultimate indicates that the deck is not hanged on that point.

 

Left, center and right segments :

 

DL, DC, DR	Array of lengths in left, central and right segments, respectively. The first and the last points of the bridge are free. Distances should be separated by ',' and may be repeated with '@'.Example: 4.5 , 6@3.5 , 4.5 is the same as: 4.5 , 3.5 , 3.5 , 3.5 , 3.5 , 3.5 , 3.5 , 4.5
PL1, PC1, PR1	Slope at the beginning of left, central and right segments, respectively (positive up).
CL1,  CLm, CL2	Deck thickness at the beginning, middle and final, respectively of left segment.
CCm, CC2 and CRm, CR2	Middle and final deck thickness in central and right segments, respectively.
ZL1	Height at the beginning of left segment.
ZL2, ZC2, ZR2Â	Height at the end of left, central and right segments, respectively.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4       BRIDGES GENERATED WITH A MIXED SECTION  1

 

4.1      TYPOLOGY

This is a particular case of bridges generated with a solid section where section is composed of a concrete slab over I-section steel beams:

 

 

 

4.2      USING THE GENERATOR

Before using the generator, all these steps must be defined:

 

-          Units System.

-          Materials and element types for hangers, cables, bracings and towers.

-          Cross sections and Beam & Shell properties.

 

After that, the generator window is shown with the ~BRPD, FileName command.

 

or using the Main Menu path:

 

Civil Preprocessor > Bridges Prep > Predesigned bridges > Mixed Section type 1

 

 

4.3      FILLING IN DATA IN GENERATOR WINDOW

 

The Suspension Bridge Generator  Window for Mixed Section is divided in the section definition (slab over beams), general data for the whole bridge and specific for left, central and right segment. All parameters are explained in next step.

 

 

 

 

 

4.4      DATA EXPLANATION

 

Taking into account the next figure, all parameters are explained below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more clarity and less redundancy, only specific parameters for a generic section are explained because the rest of them were defined in last chapter.

 

 

 

 

Section Definition:

 

SecTr	Number for the new section of the bridge
bSlab	Total width of upper slab
fSL	Slab left flange lenght
fSR	Slab right flange lenght
hBeam	Height of I beam
tSlab	Upper slab thickness
tFl	I beam's flange thickness
tWeb	I beam's web thickness
Union	1: Create dummy union elements 0: No create
tUn	Union element thickness
sDivS, sDivB	Slab and beam divisions size
SMat, BMat	Slab and beam material
BrMat	Beam material
UnMat	Union elements material

 

Define bracing elements:

 

BrType

Bracing element type

 

After defining the previous parameters, usar can generate and view the mixed section by pressing the button:

 

 

The following window appears:

 

 

 

 

 

In this window new bracings can be created, removed or Beam & Shell properties modificated.

 

Buttons

 

Section Example	Loads a mixed section example
Load Section…	Loads a mixed section
Save Section…	Saves a mixed section

 

 

 

 

 

 

5       BRIDGES GENERATED WITH A MIXED SECTION  2

 

5.1      TYPOLOGY

This is a particular case of bridges generated with a solid section where section is composed of a concrete slab over a steel box.

 

 

 

5.2      USING THE GENERATOR

Before using the generator, all these steps must be defined:

 

-          Units System.

-          Materials and element types for hangers, cables, bracings and towers.

-          Cross sections and Beam & Shell properties.

 

After that, the generator window is shown with the ~BRPD, FileName command.

 

or using the Main Menu path:

 

Civil Preprocessor > Bridges Prep > Predesigned bridges > Mixed Section type 2

 

 

5.3      FILLING IN DATA IN GENERATOR WINDOW

 

The Suspension Bridge Generator Window for Mixed Section is divided in the section definition (slab over beams), general data for the whole bridge and specific for left, central and right segment. All parameters are explained in next step.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.4      DATA EXPLANATION

 

Taking into account the next figure, all parameters are explained below.

 

 

For more clarity and less redundancy, only specific parameters for a generic section are explained because the rest of them were defined in last chapter.

 

 

 

 

Section Definition:

 

SecTr	Number for the new section of the bridge
bSlab	Total width of upper slab
fSL	Slab left flange lenght
fSR	Slab right flange lenght
hBox	Box height
tSlab	Upper slab thickness
αL, αR	Angles with vertical of left and right side of the box
tboxL,tboxR	Thicknesses of left and right sides of the box
tboxB	Thickness of box bottom
sDivS, sDivB	Slab and beam divisions size
SMat, BMat	Slab and beam materials

 

Define bracing elements:

 

BrType

Bracing element type

 

After defining the previous parameters, usar can generate and view the mixed section by pressing the button:

 

 

The following window appears:

 

 

 

 

 

In this window new bracings can be created, removed or Beam & Shell properties modificated.

 

Buttons

 

Section Example	Loads a mixed section example
Load Section…	Loads a mixed section
Save Section…	Saves a mixed section

 

 

 

 

Related commands:

~BRPD