Moving-load analysis FAQ
This page is devoted to frequently asked questions (FAQ) related to moving-load analysis.
On this page:
General
General frequently asked questions are listed as follows:
How are transverse moving loads applied?
Answer: Transverse (horizontal) moving loads are available since CSiBridge V17.2.0. Braking, acceleration and centrifugal horizontal loads can be defined.
How is the speed of a moving truck changed?
Answer: For step-by-step moving-load analysis, once a load pattern of Bridge Live type is defined, select Modify Bridge Load to access the /wiki/spaces/forms/pages/1479916 form in which the speed of a moving truck may be specified.
When a vehicle is defined, how are two directions specified for its path of motion?
Answer: Depending upon analysis type, direction may be defined as follows:
- For influence-based moving-load analysis, in which Moving Load is specified for load-case type, the vehicle automatically moves in two directions.
- For step-by-step moving-load analysis, in which Multi-step Static is specified for load-case type, Forward or Backward vehicle direction may be specified on the /wiki/spaces/forms/pages/1479916 form.
- To obtain Multi-step Static response for a vehicle which may travel in either direction, results from Forward and Backward patterns may be enveloped.
Why are my bridge objects returning zero force during moving-load analysis?
Answer: The request for saving section forces should be made such that bridge objects return the proper response during moving-load analysis.
Influence-based
Influence-based frequently asked questions are listed as follows:
How is the load from each truck axle distributed over shell objects?
Answer: During influence-based moving-load analysis, an interpolated influence surface determines the effect of loading from each truck axle. For additional details, please see the Influence-based moving-load analysis implementation article.
How are unit loads distributed from lane-load points to model joints?
Answer: For response, please see the Influence-based moving-load analysis implementation and Lane-load point connection articles.
Why does deformed configuration from moving-load analysis not look correct?
See Deformed shape for moving load analysis.
Why are zero results generated for a bridge object which is updated as a solid model?
Answer: Analysis > Bridge Response > Moving Load Case Results Saved > Section Cuts must be selected for solid models, while it is not necessary for frame and shell models.
Step-by-step
Step-by-step frequently asked questions are listed as follows:
Why does step-by-step moving-load analysis not run when the vehicle is defined using a uniform load?
Answer: Vehicles defined using a uniform load may only be used during influence-based moving-load analysis. To use such a vehicle in step-by-step moving-load analysis, the uniform load would need to be approximated and modeled using a series of equivalent point loads.
Influence-line
Influence-line frequently asked questions are listed as follows:
Why is the influence line not displayed as a smooth line?
Answer: Influence lines will appear piecewise linear when discretization is more coarse. A similar effect occurs when output-station spacing is fairly large for moment-diagram plots. The effect of refining lane discretization (Figure 1) is apparent in the influence lines which follow (Figure 2):
Figure 1 - Lane data
Figure 2 - Influence line