How to model the deck in a way to interact with the 3D beams?

[Achrafbno]

How to model the deck in a way to interact with the 3D beams:

Hello everyone,
I'm currently working on a 3D bridge model in Abaqus and facing an issue with the interaction between the deck and the beams. Here’s a brief overview of my approach and the problem:
Model Construction:I created each beam individually and connected every node of the beams using a connection type 'join'. I then added the deck to the assembly.

Problem:When I add the deck to the assembly, it appears correctly in the 3D model. However, when I apply a force on the deck, the force only affects the deck and does not transfer to the rest of the bridge structure. This indicates that the deck and beams are not interacting as intended, and the force applied to the deck does not propagate through to the beams.

Could anyone provide guidance on how to properly define the interactions between the deck and the beams so that the applied forces on the deck are correctly transferred to the entire bridge structure? Specifically, what type of constraints or contact interactions should I use to ensure realistic behavior?
Any detailed steps or tips on setting up these interactions in Abaqus would be highly appreciated.

 

[BulbTheBuilder]

I don't use Abaqus

Model Construction:I created each beam individually and connected every node of the beams using a connection type 'join'. I then added the deck to the assembly.

Are the slabs connected to these nodes as well?

Problem:When I add the deck to the assembly, it appears correctly in the 3D model. However, when I apply a force on the deck, the force only affects the deck and does not transfer to the rest of the bridge structure. This indicates that the deck and beams are not interacting as intended, and the force applied to the deck does not propagate through to the beams.

Check the deflected shape. Is the slab deflecting with the beam?

 

[rb1957]

have you joined the deck to the beams ? by common nodes ? There are many ways to ensure that there are common nodes between the beams and the deck.

another way would be to have the deck surface contact the upper surface of the beams, but this would give the beams the lateral support that the deck provides (may be important, it is a real world thing).

Once you've done that the next question is how much connection between the deck and the beams should be modelled, and then how stiff should the connection be (using common nodes means it is infinitely stiff, putting a spring element between the deck node and the beam node (which can be coincident or not).

I'd look for examples in the manuals (tutorials, practice models) where they add something to an existing model.



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