Undergraduate student question on STAAD

Question

I'm an undergraduate taking a structural analysis class. Our lab section teaches STAAD, and I know I want to build a bridge deck like the one below. The bridge deck being modeled is a width-wise plank system for a short span timber bridge. I understand the load case. Could someone give a general guide to how I could model the deck itself? Is it a surface? What do the dashed lines represent?

Sye · Accepted Answer

If the reason for modeling the deck is just to distribute the loading to the beams, you do not need to model it. There are loading options in STAAD.Pro like FLOOR LOAD and MOVING LOAD that would allow you to apply loads and these loads can be distributed to the supporting members in the same way as these would have been, if the deck was present. On the other hand if you are interested in finding out the deflections/stresses in the deck itself, you would need to model the deck. You may use plate elements ( NOT surface elements ) for that. The dotted lines represent the beam offsets. You may refer to section 5.2 of the Technical Reference Manual for details.