> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.openbrim.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.openbrim.org/examples/steel-bridge-examples/example-steel-i-girder-bridge-ex1-sig/superstructure-ex1-sig/steel-girders-ex1-sig/plate-girder-ex1-sig.md).

# Plate Girder

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

{% hint style="info" %}
**Navigation:** Superstructure > Steel Girders > Plate Girder

For detailed parameter explanations, see the [Plate Girder Reference](https://docs.openbrim.org/templates/steel-i-girder-bridge-workflow/superstructure-sig/steel-girders-sig/plate-girder-sig).
{% endhint %}

## Steps

### Step 1: Assign Girder Layout

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

![Girder Layout](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2101641350/image-20250114-110149.png?api=v2)

### Step 2: Open Top Flange Width Editor

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

![Edit Spreadsheet](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2101641350/image-20250114-110220.png?api=v2)

### Step 3: Set Start Station

Enter the **Start Station** as **0**.

![Start Station](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2101641350/image-20250114-110241.png?api=v2)

### 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](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2101641350/image-20250114-110410.png?api=v2)

![Station Difference](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2101641350/image-20250114-110510.png?api=v2)

![Start Station Adjustment](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2101641350/image-20250114-110542.png?api=v2)

### 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](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2101641350/image-20250114-110822.png?api=v2)

### 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](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2101641350/image-20250114-110916.png?api=v2)

![Material Assignment](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2101641350/image-20230919-113900.png?api=v2)

![Completed Materials](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2101641350/image-20250114-111032.png?api=v2)

<details>

<summary><strong>Quick Tip:</strong> Importing Materials</summary>

If no material is available to select:

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

![Import Option](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2104689432/73852957-2149-426f-ac5d-cfd7e01231b3?api=v2)

2. Select the material from the library and click **Import**

![Import Material](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2104689432/image-20230921-091952.png?api=v2)

</details>

### Step 8: Configure FEA Settings

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

![FEA Settings](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2101641350/image-20250114-111134.png?api=v2)

## Verification

{% hint style="success" %}
The completed plate girder model is shown below.
{% endhint %}

![Completed Girder 3D](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2101641350/image-20250114-111249.png?api=v2)

<details>

<summary><strong>Quick Tip:</strong> Show Model View</summary>

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

![Analysis Menu](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2278031376/image-20230920-135407.png?api=v2)

![Model Button](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2278031376/image-20230920-135445.png?api=v2)

![Model View](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2101641350/image-20230919-130424.png?api=v2)

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Quick Tip:</strong> Show FEA View</summary>

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](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2278031376/image-20230920-135407.png?api=v2)

![FEA Button](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2278031376/image-20230920-135601.png?api=v2)

![FEA View 1](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2101641350/image-20230919-130448.png?api=v2)

![FEA View 2](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2101641350/image-20250114-113923.png?api=v2)

![FEA View 3](https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2101641350/image-20250116-133039.png?api=v2)

</details>

{% hint style="success" %}
To view the entire procedure explained on this page, please watch the recorded video below.
{% endhint %}

{% embed url="<https://openbrim.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/2101641350/SIG%20EX1%20Plate%20Girder.mp4?api=v2>" %}
SIG EX1 Plate Girder
{% endembed %}


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