Bridge Moving Load in Sap2000

[bluefish74]

Without Sap2000 bridge modeler, if I want to model vehicle load in sap2000, anybody knows how the load being distributed to the member? Should I input the distribution factor manually? If the load is just attached to the frame memeber below but the frame members are not exactly where the lane locates, the load will correctly being transferred?

 

[IJR]

Good question bluefish, unfortunately I can only hint a few points, because I am not really good at this

I will use a girder bridge for an example

Suppose you have 4 girders and 3 lanes.

Then each lane is supported by one or two girders.

YOu must define the lanes. And associate each girder with whatever lanes it takes load from specifying distance fro the centrelines. This can be very messy and you need to exercise patience here. So girder 2 for example probably takes load from lane 1 and 2, and it may be that girder 2 is 6ft(2m) from lane 1 but only 3ft(1m) from lane 2.

Then for each lane you must define the vehicle loading. This is easy because vehicle loads are essentially lane loads.

I used this once and I got great results, clean influence lines and total moments and shears.

To start with, re-solve the simple example given in the tutorials. The rest will be easier to follow

respects
ijr

 

[bluefish74]

You mean When I define lane 2 I need to input twice? To associate lane 2 to Girder 2 and Girder 3? I don't think sap let you do that.

 

[IJR]

Have you checked the tutorial? It hints that bluefish.