This section defines the steel plate girder geometry with station-dependent plate dimensions for flanges and webs.
Step 1: Assign Girder Layout
Click the three-dots icon on the Girder Layout cell and select a layout.
Step 2: Open Top Flange Width Editor
Click the three-dots icon on the Top Flange Width cell and select Edit (Spreadsheet).
Step 3: Set Start Station
Enter the Start Station as 0.
Step 4: Understanding Station Parameters
When entering station-dependent dimensions:
If you enter Length, the End Station and Station Difference are calculated automatically
If you enter End Station, the Length and Station Difference are calculated automatically
Step 5: Enter Top Flange Width Data
Enter the following station-dependent values for Top Flange Width:
Length (ft)
Top Flange Width (in)
Step 6: Define Other Plate Dimensions
Using the same spreadsheet method, define station-dependent values for:
Step 7: Assign Materials
Click the three-dots icon on material cells and select A709_50 for:
Quick Tip: Importing Materials
If no material is available to select:
Click the three-dots icon and select Import Material
Select the material from the library and click Import
Navigate to the FEA Settings tab. Keep default parameters or adjust mesh settings as needed.
The completed plate girder model is shown below.
Quick Tip: Show Model View
Click the arrow button above the Analysis button in the upper-left corner
Click Model to display the 3D model
Quick Tip: Show FEA View
Click the arrow button above the Analysis button in the upper-left corner
Click FEA to display the finite element mesh
To view the entire procedure explained on this page, please watch the recorded video below.
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