Arch bridges

A series of tips Tips for modeling arch bridges and soil interaction are listed as follows:

• It may be useful to create Create and study a simplified model to gain insight into structural behavior. This includes creating a 2D model.Creating a 2D model composed of shell objects may then serve as a useful preliminary to the 3D model. A 2D model would represent a longitudinal section cut through the bridge and soil mass. This approach would reduce  
  • This reduces the model size and analysis time while providing the benefit of useful information and a comparison study.
  • Consider a 2D model that represents a longitudinal section cut through the bridge and soil mass. 
  • Nonlinear layered-shell objects may be useful for 2D bridge models in which the arch or soil cannot carry tension.

• To most effectively model and mesh the 3D bridge structure, it It may be beneficial to use shell objects to draw the arch segments in the 2D elevation view, then extrude the shells into 3D solids using Edit > Extrude > Extrude Areas to Solids.

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