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Document Type: FAQ Product(s): BridgeModeler/LARS Version(s): All Original Author: Bentley Technical Support Group
Document Type: FAQ
Product(s): BridgeModeler/LARS
Version(s): All
Original Author: Bentley Technical Support Group
The Bridge ID must use alphanumeric characters. No embedded spaces or special characters are allowed.
BridgeModeler/LARS uses the following naming conventions:
Flexural members are either (G)irders, (S)tringers or floor(B)eams. Each flexural member must follow the given designations. Girders and stringer are considered longitudinal members and floorbeams are transverse members.
Truss members are in the form panelpoint to panelpoint where (U)pper (L)ower, (M)id is used for the panel point designation and a two digit number for the panel point. For example, the first member of the lower chord on a thru truss would be L00L01.
LARS reports files may be edited in any text editor. Simply select the text desired for printing. If you use Word, you should use Courier New font which is a non-proportional font. You may still have to adjust the margins and/or size of font to accommodate your document format.
The live load distribution factor entered into BridgeModeler should be for the truck axle loading, not the wheel line.
BridgeModelerLARS will compute the self-weight of all flexural members. The User must input the self-weight of simple span trusses. Continuous trusses have a self weight option.
LARS uses influence lines to compute the superimposed dead load and live load effects on a bridge. The influence line ordinates are given in the influence line report. The detail report shows the location of the front wheel of the truck and the direction of the truck on the influence line for each checkpoint or truss member in the detail report. From this information, the User can locate the truck on the influence and compute the resulting live load.
The lateral loads are placed on the floor beam with respect to the "A" distance from the end of the floor beam. The "A" distance is assumed to be the same on each end of the floorbeam. The centerline of the roadway is assumed to align with the centerline of the floorbeam. LARS resolves the lateral loads by computing the critical checkpoint on the floorbeam for flexure. Shear rating of floorbeams is not performed at this time.
LARS analyzes floorbeams for either single lane (one lane in each direction) or multilane (two lanes in each direction)..
The pin locations may be modeled as hinges. Hinges may only be entered on continuous steel or composite steel members. "Hinge Location" is on the "Description" dialogue. See section 4.7 in the BridgeModeler User Manual.