Floor Beam [SIG]
Floor Beam
Girders: Choose the girders that are connected by the floor beam. A minimum of two girders must be selected.
Skew Angle: A positive skew value rotates the floor beam in a clockwise direction, while a negative skew value rotates it in a counterclockwise direction. It is important to remember that the floor beams are positioned at the specified station along a line perpendicular to the PGL, which is then rotated according to the entered skew value.
Station: Enter the station along the PGL. When dealing with curved girder bridges, collecting distance along the girder length can lead to different inputs for the right and left girders connected by floor beams, causing ambiguity. Therefore, collecting the station along the PGL is a more reliable solution to avoid such issues.
Section Data: Define the section data for the floor beam using the table. Each row specifies one section segment with the following columns:
Transverse Offset (from PGL): The transverse location of the section along the floor beam, measured from the Profile Grade Line.
Section: Assign a previously defined I-shaped section to this segment.
Variation w/next segment [None=0/Linear=1/Parabolic (concave up)=2/Parabolic (concave down)=3/Circular=4]: Defines the variation type of the section depth between this segment and the next.
Radius: The radius value used when the variation type is set to Circular (4).
Top Elevation Offset from Alignment: Defines the vertical offset of the top of the floor beam from the bridge alignment. A negative value positions the top of the floor beam below the alignment.
Overhang
Left Overhang [No overhang=0/To deck edge=1/Input overhang length=2]: Controls the left overhang extension of the floor beam beyond the exterior left girder.
0 (No overhang): The floor beam ends at the exterior girder; no overhang is generated.
1 (To deck edge): The floor beam extends to the edge of the concrete deck.
2 (Input overhang length): The floor beam extends by the user-specified Left Overhang Length.
Left Overhang Length: The overhang length on the left side. This parameter is only applicable when the Left Overhang is set to 2 (Input overhang length).
Right Overhang [No overhang=0/To deck edge=1/Input overhang length=2]: Controls the right overhang extension of the floor beam beyond the exterior right girder.
0 (No overhang): The floor beam ends at the exterior girder; no overhang is generated.
1 (To deck edge): The floor beam extends to the edge of the concrete deck.
2 (Input overhang length): The floor beam extends by the user-specified Right Overhang Length.
Right Overhang Length: The overhang length on the right side. This parameter is only applicable when the Right Overhang is set to 2 (Input overhang length).
FEA
FEA Model Type [Beam=0/Two Flange Beams + Web Shell=1]: Defines the finite element model type for the floor beam.
0 (Beam): The entire floor beam cross section is modeled as a single beam element connected to the girders using rigid links.
1 (Two Flange Beams + Web Shell): The top and bottom flanges are modeled as beam elements, while the web is modeled as a shell element. This option provides a more detailed representation of the floor beam's structural behavior.
Interior Girders Connection [Deck-Top Flange=0/Girder Bottom Flange=1/Top and Bottom Flange=2]: Defines how the floor beam is connected to interior girders in the finite element model.
0 (Deck-Top Flange): The floor beam is connected to the top of the girder through the deck mesh.
1 (Girder Bottom Flange): A rigid link is generated between the floor beam node and the bottom flange node of the interior girder.
2 (Top and Bottom Flange): Rigid links are generated between the floor beam node and both the top and bottom flange nodes of the interior girder.
Left Exterior Girder Connection [Deck-Top Flange=0/Girder Bottom Flange=1/Top and Bottom Flange=2]: Defines the connection type between the floor beam and the left exterior girder. The options are the same as for Interior Girders Connection. Defaults to the Interior Girders Connection value.
Right Exterior Girder Connection [Deck-Top Flange=0/Girder Bottom Flange=1/Top and Bottom Flange=2]: Defines the connection type between the floor beam and the right exterior girder. The options are the same as for Interior Girders Connection. Defaults to the Interior Girders Connection value.
Rigid Section (Interior Girders): Assign a section to be used for the rigid link elements connecting the floor beam to interior girders.
Rigid Section (Left Exterior Girder): Assign a section to be used for the rigid link elements connecting the floor beam to the left exterior girder.
Rigid Section (Right Exterior Girder): Assign a section to be used for the rigid link elements connecting the floor beam to the right exterior girder.
Moment Release Left Exterior Girder [Fixed=-1/Free=0]: Defines the rotational fixity of the connection at the left exterior girder end.
-1 (Fixed): All rotational degrees of freedom are fixed at the connection.
0 (Free): All rotational degrees of freedom are released (pinned connection).
Moment Release Right Exterior Girder [Fixed=-1/Free=0]: Defines the rotational fixity of the connection at the right exterior girder end. The options are the same as for the left exterior girder.
Supports (Substructure): Assign insertion points that represent intermediate substructure supports (e.g., pier cap bearing seats) beneath the floor beam. These are used to generate support nodes in the finite element model at intermediate locations along the floor beam span.
Truss Joint Connection: Assign insertion points that represent truss joint connections along the floor beam. These are used to generate rigid link connections between the floor beam and truss elements in the finite element model. This parameter is applicable only when the Interior Girders Connection is set to 1 (Girder Bottom Flange).
Quantities
The following quantity parameters are read-only and are computed automatically.
Min Section Area: The minimum cross-sectional area along the floor beam length.
Max Section Area: The maximum cross-sectional area along the floor beam length.
Total Surface Area: The total surface area of the floor beam, including all faces.
Min Cross Section Perimeter: The minimum perimeter of the cross section along the floor beam length.
Max Cross Section Perimeter: The maximum perimeter of the cross section along the floor beam length.
Volume: The total volume of the floor beam.
Min Length Path: The minimum path length along the floor beam, measured at the extreme fiber.
Length @COG Path: The path length along the centroid of the floor beam cross section.
Max Length Path: The maximum path length along the floor beam, measured at the extreme fiber.
Weight: The total weight of the floor beam, computed from volume and material density.
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