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h1. FAQ
h2. How does the program obtain bridge forces and stresses diagrams?
The program uses [section cuts|Section cut] defined by groups to obtain bridge forces and stresses diagrams. These section cuts are automatically formed as part of the bridge model using the parametric definition and can be reviewed via "Display > Show Tables > MODEL DEFINITION > Bridge Data > Bridge Object Data > Table: Bridge Section Cuts 01 - General and Table: Bridge Section Cuts 02 Groups".
The coordinate system for each bridge section cut can be found in the table "Bridge Section Cuts 01 – General", fields "DirCos??":
* The local 1 axis of the bridge section cut is along the layout line,
* The local 2 axis of the bridge section cut is normal (but downward) to the deck surface (considering super-elevation),
* The local 3 axis of the bridge section cut is, local 1 axis cross local 2 axis.
Any manually added objects are not added to the section cuts. The force/moment diagrams will be correct for the final structure at all sections that have not been modified. Manually added members, such as diaphragms, may carry load and take it away from objects that are part of a section cut, thus reducing the section cut force. They can only affect section cuts to which they are connected.
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_See [Locations for reporting bridge superstructure and girder forces DRAFT] for additional details._
Related emails:
* {email:date=922/2011|from=ac|to=ok|subject=Bridge section cuts|comment=Bridge section cuts|id=7636760}
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h2. If the bridge object is manually modified, are the the bridge object forces and stresses still correct?
*Extended Question:* If I delete certain elements of a bridge deck section, are the results of bridge object response display still valid? If I divide certain elements, does the results of bridge object response display still valid?
*Answer:* The bridge forces and stresses diagrams accessible on the "Bridge Object Response Display" form are based on section cuts that utilize only the objects created by the bridge modeler. Any manually added/removed/modified entities would not be correctly accounted for in the section cuts. Therefore, manually deleting or dividing bridge superstructure frame, shell or solid objects will, in general, result in incorrect forces and stresses being reported on the "Bridge Object Response Display" form.
Question: How are bridge force and stress diagrams obtained?
Answer:
CSI software uses section cuts defined by groups to obtain bridge force and stress diagrams. These section cuts are automatically formed through parametric definition of the bridge model. Section cuts may be viewed through Display > Show Tables > Model Definition > Bridge Data > Bridge Object Data > Table: Bridge Section Cuts 01 - General and Table: Bridge Section Cuts 02 - Groups. Within these tables, the coordinate system for bridge section cuts are as follows:
The local 1 axis of a bridge object is longitudinal to its layout line. When oriented up-station, this axis is orthogonal to the bridge section cut.
The local 2 axis is normal to the local 1 axis, oriented in the vertical plane.
The local 3 axis is normal to both the local 1 and 2 axes, oriented in the horizontal plane. Following the right-hand rule, when the local 1 axis is up-station, the local 3 axis points toward the right edge of the deck.
Any objects added manually are not automatically added to the section cuts. These objects may resist loading, and their contribution to performance may not be displayed in force and moment diagrams.
Question: Are bridge-object force and stress diagrams still correct upon manual modification, deletion, or division of certain bridge-deck elements?
Answer: The bridge force and stress diagrams available through the Bridge Object Response Display menu are based on section cuts that utilize only the objects created by the bridge modeler. Any frame, shell, or solid object manually modified, removed, or added will not be accounted for in section cuts and response diagrams.
Stress calculation
Stresses reported on the "Bridge Object Response Display" form are calculated from forces acting on individual bridge deck section components using beam stress formula which is based on the assumption that plane section remains plane. For example, the top center stress in the slab is calculated from the slab axial force P and moments M3 and M2 as stress = P/A + M3/W33 + M2/W22, where A is the slab area and W22 and W33 are the section moduli of the slab. Similar procedure is used for the calculation of the stresses in the beam.
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The stress calculation description has been added based on phone discussion between ok and ac on 5/24/2017.
-ok 5/25/2017
Related Emails:
Email "Calculation of stress on the bridge object response display form": (ac → bdj, 8/23/2017, ID 20054143)