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 supports, and prestressing should be applied to such members 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, which corresponds to precasting the girders.
• 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 by adding and then stressing the continuity tendon elements.
• Depending on the bridge geometry, users can use either direct modeling or bridge object modeling. If using bridge object modeling, users can set up bridge groups to represent individual girders as needed for the staged construction.

See also

• Modeling different types of tendons