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RM Bridge CONNECT Edition offers different forms of Cable Forces load definitions: FCAB, FX0, and LX0. For elements type Cable there are also different considerations for the cable behaviors: linear, CabSag, or Stay Cable Nonlinear. Depending at the type of analysis performed, each one could be more advantageous:
FCAB: is the jacking force, the final prestressing or installation force at the cable, and it can only be used for linear calculations, while;
FX0/LX0: is the cable shortening defined by force (FX0) or the stress-free fitting element length (LX0) where any non-linearity and unit forces can be applied for optimization, construction simulation or erection control.
CabSag: is the non-linear behavior simplification that is modelled with just an equivalent E-modulus taking into account the sag;
Non-linear stay cables : is the exact non-linear calculation and requires the elements Cable to be subdivided either internally or at their development to take into account the deformations.
Cable element: Normal tension only forces.
There is a long iterative process to calculate the full bridge that includes not only the calculation of the final structure but also the construction stage calculation. So, one of the most important non-linearities at this type of analysis is the continuous change of the structural system caused by the evolution of the construction schedule. There are two options: Accumulate Loads or Accumulate Stiffness; and, if the analysis and design includes construction control, there is are the additional option Erection Control with or without construction kink.
AddCon: Additional Constraints technique can be used to perform structure optimization allowing the user to specify boundary conditions to be achieved and follow the variable forces factors convergence process to achieve a solution.
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