Introducing Design Sections
A complex section is built up from individual 2D elements of any shape, which can be joined or merged. Materials are assigned to the elements. Reinforcement, tendons, initial strains and loadcases can be added to the section.The following design checks and analyses can be performed on a design section:
- To compute the section properties of a cross section about centroidal x-y
- To calculate strain profiles and corresponding stresses within a section subject to any combination of axial loads and biaxial bending moments.
- To calculate the maximum load capacity resistance of a section for axial load or for bending about its x- or y-axis either alone or in combination with other specified axial loads and biaxial bending moments.
- To calculate the maximum crack widths around the section under a specified serviceability loading.
- To calculate temperature induced stress effects.
- To calculate minimum reinforcement to satisfy early thermal cracking requirements.
- Multi-stage construction can be modelled. The strain plane from the results of one construction stage being entered as an initial strain to the next construction stage analysis.
- To calculate interaction curves for bending and axial effects.
- To calculate moment curvature curves.
The program includes a database which stores standard bridge beam sections and other shapes for rapid section definition.
Related Topics
Data Preparation Overview - Section