Girder Load [TB]

Girder Load

Girder loads are applied as line loads along the top or bottom flange of a selected girder. The magnitude is entered in terms of per-unit-length forces and moments, and the load is activated at a user-selected construction stage.

Girder: Select the girder to which the load will be applied. The user must provide a girder selection; the bridge alignment and flange reference points are pulled from the selected girder.

Stage: Choose the construction stage at which to apply the line load. When left empty, the load is defined but not activated on any construction stage.

Applied Flange [Top/Bottom]: Specify whether the line load is applied along the top flange (1, default) or the bottom flange (2) of the selected girder.

Fx: Force per unit length in the longitudinal direction along the girder alignment.

Fy: Force per unit length in the direction perpendicular to the girder alignment.

Fz (Gravity): Force per unit length in the vertical direction. A positive value indicates a load in the global -Z (gravity) direction. For typical self-weight-like loads (wearing surface, stay-in-place formwork, utility lines), enter positive values.

Mx: Moment per unit length about the longitudinal axis along the girder alignment.

My: Moment per unit length about the axis perpendicular to the girder alignment.

Mz: Moment per unit length about the vertical axis.

Although Fz is applied in the direction of gravity (positive values for Fz correspond to the downward direction), Mz is positive relative to the +Z axis (upward direction by the right-hand rule).