End Bent [CBG]
Since End Bents are defined using previously established sections under the properties tab, accurate section definitions are crucial to ensure that the End Bents are positioned correctly.
One important consideration when defining sections is that the section's midpoint should be at the coordinates (0,0). Otherwise, the generated End Bent may be positioned based on the midpoint, leading to misalignment.
General
Location: Select a support line to define the location of the End Bent.
Straight-Tapered Section / Length: For End Bents with a constant cross-section from the start to the end of the element, or for End Bents with a linear variation of multiple cross-sections, this parameter can be used to further define the End Bents.
Section Length(Starts From Right): Assuming that the right-hand side is the starting point of the section, when looking up-station from the alignment. The overall length of the pier cap is equivalent to the value entered for the distance in each row. Values are entered horizontally, not along the sloped direction.
Start Section: The location of the start section is calculated as the sum of all previously defined rows. If it is the first row, then the starting point is on the right side.
End Section: The position of the end section is determined by adding the distance defined in this row to the sum of all previously specified rows.
Slope Option [Input/Alignment]: If this parameter is set to 'Input,' the slope parameter can be used to define the slope of the End Bent. If set to 'Alignment,' the slope parameter will appear as N/A (Not Applicable).
Slope: Users can specify the slope of the element only if the Slope Option is set to 'Input.' Otherwise, the element's slope will follow the alignment's slope at that station.
Top Elevation Offset from Alignment: Specify the distance from the midpoint of the pier cap at the top to the PGL location, where 0 indicates that the midpoint of the pier cap is at the PGL location vertically. Generally, a value equivalent to the sum of the deck thickness, girder depth, bearing depth, and haunch depth is employed.
Transverse Offset: The offset value for the End Bent measured perpendicular to the PGL.
Longitudinal Offset: The offset value for the End Bent measured along the PGL's longitudinal direction.
Section Type [Straight-Tapered/ Circular-Parabolic]: The Straight-Tapered section definition can only be made if the section type is set to 'Straight-Tapered.' When this parameter is set to 'Circular-Parabolic,' the related definitions must be made under the 'Circular-Parabolic Variation' tab.
Circular-Parabolic Variation
Circular - Parabolic Variation
Circular - Parabolic Section: If the section type is set to non-prismatic variation, users must assign a non-prismatic section in this field. Non-prismatic sections can be created using the section editor, as explained below.
The non-prismatic variation is typically in the transverse direction for pier cap. To indicate the direction of the non-prismatic variation, select "Y" under the “Section” "More Properties" tab.
To define the non-prismatic variation, use cell actions under the “Section”, then click "Parameters" and change the parameter type to "Station Dependent" by selecting "Yes". Click on "Edit Value" to specify the non-prismatic variation, as shown in the figure below.
The value 0 corresponds to the PGL location, and the user must provide the relevant variation and parametric equations for each station.
The values displayed in the screenshot are utilized to create the pier cap shown below.
Cap Length: If a non-prismatic section is utilized, the total length of the pier cap.
FEM
Generate FEM? [Yes/No]: Setting the "Generate FEM" parameter to "No" can disable the analytical representation of the End Bent substructure.
Rigid Section: To connect the End Bent finite element to the bearing, the user needs to specify the properties of the rigid section. When bearings are longitudinally offset from the support line, rigid elements are automatically generated to link those bearings to the End Bent.
Additional Break Point List: Break points can be added to include additional nodes at various positions. By default, nodes are generated at the column and bearing locations.
Vertical Distance From Top of Section to Bottom of Bearing: Node locations are typically generated on the top of the cap section. However, in the case of an inverted T section, this behavior is not desired, and instead, rigid lines should be positioned on top of the bottom flange. To address this situation, the following parameter can be utilized. This parameter definition will directly affect the nodes used for load transfer by the bearings.
Mesh Size: The maximum distance between nodes in the elements local X-direction is specified using the mesh size.
# of Result Extraction Stations: The result extraction station settings are solely for viewing FEA composite results in either the spreadsheet or FEA view, and do not impact standard finite element analysis results like member end forces, node displacement, and node reactions.
Additional Result Extraction Stations: Enter the distance from the right end of the End Bent to view results at that specific location. This does not alter the FEA model or introduce new nodes; the software simply interpolates between existing end forces. These station settings only affect how composite FEA results are displayed in the spreadsheet or FEA view, and do not impact standard analysis results like member end forces, displacements, or reactions.
Reinforcement
Show [No/Yes]:
Longitudinal Reinforcement Data:
Reinforcement Profile: Select a rebar profile for the longitudinal reinforcement
Reinforcement Material: Select a rebar material for the longitudinal reinforcement.
# of Bars: Specify the number of rebars in a single row.
Inner Rebar Spacing: Specify the inner rebar spacing. The distance is measured from the center of one rebar to the center of the another rebar.
Outer Rebar Spacing: Specify the outer rebar spacing between rebars. The distance is measured from the center of one rebar to the center of the adjacent rebar.
Reference Edge [Top/Bottom]: Specify the reference edge for Distance to Reference Edge input.
Distance to Reference Edge: Set the distance to reference edge. This distance is measured from the Reference Edge of the section to the center of the rebar.
Offset from Start: Offset distance from right side of the End Bent (if there is any).
Offset from End: Offset distance from left side of the End Bent (if there is any).
Horizontal Offset from Center: Specify the horizontal offset to move center of the rebar row.
Shear Reinforcement Data:
Start Length (From Right End): Specify the starting distance from right side of the End Bent.
End Length (From Right End): Specify the ending distance from right side of the End Bent.
Reinforcement Profile: Select a rebar profile for the transverse reinforcement.
Reinforcement Material: Select a rebar material for the transverse reinforcement.
Spacing: Specify the spacing along the length of the object.
# of Legs: Specify the number of tranverse reinforcement legs.
Clear Cover (Visual): Does not affect the code check; it's solely for visualization purposes.
Visual Settings
Align Ends Parallel to PGL [YES/NO]:
Cap Opacity: Input a value between 0.1 and 1. A value of 0.1 represents maximum transparency, allowing the rebar or tendons inside to be visible, while a value of 1 signifies no transparency.
Reinforcement Opacity: Input a value between 0.1 and 1. A value of 0.1 represents maximum transparency, while a value of 1 signifies no transparency.
Circular Smoothness: This parameter influences the rendering of rebar circles (the number of sides), and opting for a higher value may result in longer compilation times.
Quantities
Total Surface Area: The total surface area of the object, based on user-defined parameters, is calculated and presented under this column.
Left and Right Face Area: The surface areas of the left and right sides of the End Bent are calculated and presented under this column.
Front and Back Face Area: The surface areas of the front and back sides of the End Bent are calculated and presented under this column.
Top and Bottom Face Area: The surface areas of the top and bottom sides of the End Bent are calculated and presented under this column.
Top Face Area: The area of the End Bent's top face is calculated and presented under this column.
Fab Form Area: The formwork area of the modeled End Bent is calculated and presented under this column.
Min Cross Section Perimeter: Based on the modeled element, the minimum perimeter associated with the assigned sections is calculated and presented under this column.
Max Cross Section Perimeter: Based on the modeled element, the maximum perimeter associated with the assigned sections is calculated and presented under this column.
Volume: Based on the modeled element definitions, the volume of the End Bent is calculated and presented under this column.
Length: The length of the End Bent in the transverse direction is calculated and presented under this column.
Rebar Calculation Method [By Density/By Length]: Specifies the method used to calculate rebar weight. "By Density" uses rebar density per volume, while "By Length" calculates based on actual rebar lengths.
Rebar Density (per cubic yard): The rebar density value used for calculating rebar weight when "By Density" method is selected.
Rebar Weight (By Density): The calculated rebar weight based on the rebar density and End Bent volume.
Longitudinal Reinforcement Length: The total length of longitudinal reinforcement bars in the End Bent.
Shear Reinforcement Length: The total length of shear reinforcement bars in the End Bent.
Longitudinal Reinforcement Weight: The calculated weight of longitudinal reinforcement based on rebar lengths and material properties.
Shear Reinforcement Weight: The calculated weight of shear reinforcement based on rebar lengths and material properties.
Total Rebar Weight (By Length): The total weight of all reinforcement calculated using the "By Length" method.
Weight: Based on the material and element definitions, the weight of the object is calculated and presented under this column.
Material: Displays the material name assigned to the End Bent sections.
IFC
Type [IfcBeam/IfcColumn/IfcSlab/IfcFooting/IfcPile/IfcMember/etc.]: Specifies the IFC entity type for export. The End Bent can be exported as various IFC types including IfcBeam, IfcColumn, IfcSlab, IfcFooting, IfcPile, IfcBearing, IfcReinforcingBar, IfcReinforcingMesh, IfcTendon, IfcMechanicalFastener, IfcAlignment, IfcPositioningElement, IfcKerb, IfcGuardrail, IfcSurfaceFeature, IfcElementAssembly, IfcCableSegment, IfcSensor, IfcDistributionElement, IfcPlate, IfcWall, IfcRail, IfcRoad, IfcDiscreteAccessory, IfcDistributionSystem, IfcMember, or IfcBuildingElementProxy.
Predefined Type [BEAM/CORNICE/DIAPHRAGM/EDGEBEAM/GIRDER_SEGMENT/HOLLOWCORE/JOIST/LINTEL/PIERCAP/SPANDREL/T_BEAM/USERDEFINED/NOTDEFINED]: Specifies the predefined type attribute for the IFC entity. Default value is PIERCAP.
Parent [BRIDGE/SUPERSTRUCTURE/DECK/SUBSTRUCTURE/FOUNDATION/APPROACH_STRUCTURE/RETAINING_STRUCTURE]: Specifies the parent structural hierarchy element in the IFC model. Default value is SUBSTRUCTURE.
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