Bridge deck modelling

[CarlosCordeiro]

Hi all,
What is the best approach to model this bridge girder in Abaqus, considering a 3D model.
(picture in attachment)

Thanks in advance

 

[Mustaine3]

It depens on several things:

What is the length in the 3rd direction?
Is the simulation complicated, so time consuming?
Is contact or a complex material in there?
What is the purpose of the simulation?

The outer regions seem to be quite thick compared to their width. So if the 3rd direction is not too long, then maybe solid elements would be good. If the 3rd direction is long or the simulation is too time consuming, then shells might be an alternatice.

The region in between could be shells or beams, depending on their shape in the 3rd direction. Or also solids, if simulation time is no issue.

 

[CarlosCordeiro]

Thanks for the reply Mustaine3.

The cross section is 31x4m and the length of the span I need is 1624m, however, I need to model it in several equal elements which will have 31x4m with length 24m due to the fact the hangers of the suspended bridge are distanced exactly 24m.
The purpose of the simulation is to perform modal analysis, extracting the first 20 eigenfrequencies and eigenmodes, nothing more than that, so I believe it will not be too time consuming.

If you're interested in giving me a hand on this model, I'm willing to reward the work. Just send me an email about it (ccordeiro.dk AT gmail.com)

 

[Mustaine3]

With those dimension it is probably most efficient to use shell elements.

I pass on contributing. I have enough to do for myself.