Plate Girder
This section defines the steel plate girder geometry with station-dependent plate dimensions for flanges and webs.
Steps
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:
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
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
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
Step 8: Configure FEA Settings
Navigate to the FEA Settings tab. Keep default parameters or adjust mesh settings as needed.
Verification
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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