Plate Girder

This section defines the steel plate girder geometry with station-dependent plate dimensions for flanges and webs.

Navigation: Superstructure > Steel Girders > Plate Girder

For detailed parameter explanations, see the Plate Girder Reference.

Steps

Step 1: Assign Girder Layout

Click the three-dots icon on the Girder Layout cell and select a layout.

Girder Layout

Step 2: Open Top Flange Width Editor

Click the three-dots icon on the Top Flange Width cell and select Edit (Spreadsheet).

Edit Spreadsheet

Step 3: Set Start Station

Enter the Start Station as 0.

Start Station

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

Length Entry

Station Difference

Start Station Adjustment

Step 5: Enter Top Flange Width Data

Enter the following station-dependent values for Top Flange Width:

Length (ft)	Top Flange Width (in)
113.3	15
22.9	21
20.0	21
20.0	21
21.1	21
123.0	15
21.1	21
20.0	21
20.0	21
22.9	21
113.3	15

Top Flange Width Data

Step 6: Define Other Plate Dimensions

Using the same spreadsheet method, define station-dependent values for:

• Top Flange Thickness
• Web Depth
• Web Thickness
• Bottom Flange Width
• Bottom Flange Thickness
• Haunch Thickness
• Additional Haunch Width

Step 7: Assign Materials

Click the three-dots icon on material cells and select A709_50 for:

• Top Flange Material
• Web Material
• Bottom Flange Material

Material Selection

Material Assignment

Completed Materials

Quick Tip: Importing Materials

If no material is available to select:

1. Click the three-dots icon and select Import Material

Import Option

1. Select the material from the library and click Import

Import Material

Step 8: Configure FEA Settings

Navigate to the FEA Settings tab. Keep default parameters or adjust mesh settings as needed.

FEA Settings

Verification

The completed plate girder model is shown below.

Completed Girder 3D

Quick Tip: Show Model View

1. Click the arrow button above the Analysis button in the upper-left corner
2. Click Model to display the 3D model

Analysis Menu

Model Button

Model View

Quick Tip: Show FEA View

1. Click the arrow button above the Analysis button in the upper-left corner
2. Click FEA to display the finite element mesh

Analysis Menu

FEA Button

FEA View 1

FEA View 2

FEA View 3

To view the entire procedure explained on this page, please watch the recorded video below.

SIG EX1 Plate Girder