Continuity Diaphragm [SPIG]

Continuity Diaphragm

Connected Girders at Start (Downstation): Girders on the downstation side of the diaphragm that are tied into it. The 3D geometry and FE mesh of the diaphragm are built from the picked girders' top/bottom elevations.

Connected Girders at End (Upstation): Girders on the upstation side of the diaphragm.

Depth: Vertical depth of the diaphragm's 3D representation.

Additional Overhang Length Transverse Dir. (Left): Additional distance from the leftmost girder centerline outward beyond that girder in the transverse direction.

Additional Overhang Length Transverse Dir. (Right): Additional distance from the rightmost girder centerline outward beyond that girder in the transverse direction.

Thickness (Downstation w.r.t. Support Line): Thickness of the diaphragm measured from the support line toward the downstation side.

Thickness (Upstation w.r.t. Support Line): Thickness of the diaphragm measured from the support line toward the upstation side.

Material: Material assigned to the diaphragm. Pick a material from Properties > Materials.

Quantities

Rebar Density(per cubic yard): Estimated rebar weight per unit concrete volume for the continuity diaphragm, used by downstream quantity takeoff reports.

FEM

Rigid Section (Cap Connection): Rigid section assigned to the FE element that links the diaphragm to the pier-cap top when Cap Connection is Yes. Choose a section that represents a rigid constraint (very high EA/EI).

Cap Connection [Yes/No]: When Yes, a FE connection element is generated between the diaphragm top and the pier cap top nodes.

Cap Connection Type [Rigid/Pin]: Controls whether the cap-to-diaphragm connection is rigid or pinned.

Deck Connection [Yes/No]: When Yes, a FE connection element is generated between the diaphragm top and the deck. Use Yes when the diaphragm and deck are poured in the same stage; use No when the diaphragm is built before the deck so staged construction FEM is correct.