Rev 2 e102A-SI

Concrete arch bridge tapering and loads

Elevation on model showing location of support movement

Exercise
Load up the model created in e101C and make changes as follows:

1. Create a reference path and taper for the arch as described below. Optional: By assigning the
tapering section in a new analysis you can compare displacements with the original model.

2. Add a temperature gradient of 33.3°C/m to the deck. Do you obtain the moments on page 3
of this example?

3. Add a support movement of DX=10mm to the springing. Do you obtain the vertical
displacement shown on page 3 of this example?

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Rev 2 e102A-SI

Tapering the arch

Copy Analysis 1. Optional. Of course you can simply modify your model to have different
section properties. But if you wish to retain your existing analysis and try out something new,
you can copy Analysis 1 (use a drag copy in the Analyses tab of the Treeview), and then
when you assign attributes such as Geometric attributes, Modeller will allow you to assign the
new attribute to be used in the new analysis only.

Reference path.
o TreeView > Attributes tab > Geometric > [RSS D=0.8,B=3 major y]. Right click
and choose “Select assignments”.
o Use Utilities > Reference path.

Multiple varying section.

o Use Utilities > Section Property calculator > Rectangular Sections.
Springings: RSS D=1.2, B=3
Crown: RSS D=0.6, B=3
o Use Attributes > Geometric > Multiple varying section. Use 3D Thick beam, User
Sections. Section 1-1 at 0m, Section 2-2 at 21.4m, Section 3-3 at 42.8m. Align
centre to centre.
o Assign to the lines making up the arch

Elevation on model with tapering arch

Hint: the total length of the lines in the arch can be found by selecting the lines and using Geometry >
Line > Length of lines.

Max deformation from models

LCID Description Taper No taper

1 Gravity 5.04E-3 5.78E-3

2 Surfacing 1.19E-3 1.17E-3

3 Live load UDL 1.91E-3 1.85E-3

4 Live load tandem 6.72E-3 6.5E-3

5 Longitudinal load 1.8E-3 1.79E-3

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More loading

Temperature effects

Temperature loading.
o Define from Attributes > Loading > Temperature. Use Type = Element, Final Y
gradient = 33.3(°C/m)
o Assign to deck members

Hint: Element axes are important for 3D beams. Element axes are a display option at TreeView >
Layers tab > Mesh. Elements can be reorientated by re-assigning the mesh attribute and specifying a
“beta angle”, or by defining and assigning a “local coordinate system”

Elevation on model with temperature gradient applied to deck

The moments generated in the deck by the applied temperature gradient are larger than those
generated in the deck by gravity loading!

Support movements

Prescribed displacement loading.
o Define from Attributes > Loading > Prescribed displacement. Use DX = 10/1000 (or
use the unit converter to put 10mm into model units of metres)
o Assign to right springing

Vertical displacement DY, for 10mm lateral movement at springing

The vertical displacement at midspan is about double that of any previous loadcase considered.

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