QUESTION ON CONSPAN FLARED GIRDER GEOMETRY TAB

Question

Hi, guys, I have three questions regarding CONSPAN flared girder modeling. 
 1. In "Bridge Component Layout" dialogue, does the "Bearing" mean the center line of the bearings? 
 
 2. As you can see in the picture above, it is a curved bridge. How do I check the length (Span length, precast length) of each girder? 
 3. In the "Analysis Factor" dialogue, the live load distribution factor is give at 10th points with "code equations" option. Can I manually input DF (for both DL and LL) at 10th points?

Vinay mysore · Accepted Answer

1. In "Bridge Component Layout" dialogue, does the "Bearing" mean the center line of the bearings? 
 Let me try to answer one question at a time to avoid confusion . I see that all the screen shot looks the same. 
 The Bridge Component Layout dialog box is used to define the physical location of superstructure connections. The physical location of these connections is specified using a stationing value from a common datum. 
 The bearing does not mean the center line of the bearing. 
 The bearing of the superstructure connection is specified using a N-S degrees-minutes-section E-W value. You may also use the keyword NORMAL to denote a normal or radial connection, or the commend SKEW x.x where x.x is a positive or negative skew (from a normal) angle. 
 Please see the attached Screenshot.

Vinay mysore · Answer

2) As you can see in the picture above, it is a curved bridge. How do I check the length (Span length, precast length) of each girder? 
 The screenshot of the bridge is not available . I'll assume its a curved bridge and will try to answer your question. 
 If you have a flared and skewed bridge then the easiest and quickest way to check the length of each girder is to go to the Beam TAB. 
 Then select the concerned Beam and then at the bottom of the Beam the program shows the Bearing to Bearing length which is L and the Precast length which is Lp . 
 Please see the attached screenshot.

Vinay mysore · Answer

3. In the "Analysis Factor" dialogue, the live load distribution factor is give at 10th points with "code equations" option. Can I manually input DF (for both DL and LL) at 10th points? 
 For each beam the user can apply the DF manually for DL and LL. If the user wants to apply DF manually then it is not possible to apply at every 10th point and generally its applied for the entire beam length. If the user selects Code equations then the program automatically applies the DF at every 10th point to all the beams as per AASHTO Code requirement. 
 Please see the attached screenshot.