The general procedure for modeling precast concrete spliced girder bridge is outlined below:
- Use staged construction to model individual stages of the bridge erection.
- Each precast girder should be initially modeled independently from other girders, supported on temporary or permanent support and prestressing should be applied to it using tendon elements. Modeling each girder independently from other girders will ensure that the prestressing is applied only to each isolated girder at a time.
- The splice could be modeled by using short frame element to connect the individual girders. Continuity tendons can be modeled in the following stages of the staged construction load case.
- Depending on the bridge geometry, users can use either direct modeling of bridge object modeling. If using bridge object modeling, you can setup bridge groups to represent individual girders as needed for the staged construction.