Prestressed/post-tensioned concrete bridges - Computational Analysis and Design of Bridge Structures - page 145

To build the model for VBDS, the following steps must be completed:
• Deine entity geometries in AutoCAD.
• Create beam, truss, or plate elements, assigning them material
properties.
• Assign section properties to the elements.
• Deine construction stages and enter elements into each construction
stage.
• Deine boundary conditions for each stage.
• Create load cases and apply them to the construction stages.
• Deine creep and shrinkage properties.
5.4.2 Verzasca 2 Bridge models
To demonstrate the analyses of Verzasca 2 Bridge at different levels of
detail, five models are created:
• Model 1 —Continuous girder with constant cross section (Figure 5.18)
• Model 2 —Continuous girder with skew supports (Figure 5.19)
• Model 3 —One girder built in a single stage (Figure 5.20)
• Model 4 —Girder built with actual construction stages
• Model 5 —Three girders skew supported (Figure 5.23, later in the
chapter)
The models become increasingly more sophisticated, with Model 5 being
the most complicated. This progression of complexity allows for not only
a better possibility of finding errors while building the models but also a
better interpretation of the results.
Figure 5.18 Elements of Verzasca 2 Bridge model 1.