Bearing/Girders Button/Bearing/Girders Screen

This button allows you define the configuration of girders and bearing line(s), eccentricity, and location of each bearing point. To start, click the Brng/Grdr button to activate the Bearing/Girders screen.

Please specify all bearings and their distances on this dialog according to the selected pier view direction. For more information, please see section Pier Configuration Button in this chapter and Pier View Direction in Theory chapter.

For multiple column piers and hammerhead piers, users can choose to have one or two bearing lines. Each line could have different eccentricity. Also the number and location of girders/bearings in each line could be different. However, for integral piers, program allows only a single line of girders with zero eccentricity. This means girders from both sides are connected to same location of the cap.

Note: In Substructure, you have the option to select single or double bearing lines.

If Pier type is either multiple column or hammerhead, input the bearing points as follows:

Select the bearing line under Configuration. You have two options: Single or Double.
Input the values for eccentricity.

Note: Eccentricity is the distance of the bearing line from the centerline of the cap. A positive value is measured in the positive global Z-axis from the centerline of cap. A negative value is measured in the negative global Z-axis.

Under Line, select either First or Second.

Note: if you selected the Single option under Configuration, only the First option will be available.

Now, you can easily add evenly spaced bearings. Select the Cap Left End or Last Point option under Distance From.

Note: For the first bearing, you must select the Cap Left End option. For all other bearing points, select the Last Point option. By doing this, you can input the same value multiple times; each new bearing spaced evenly apart from the previous bearing.

Click Add. The bearing point will appear in the list on the screen.

Repeat this procedure to add additional bearing points.

You can modify an existing bearing point by highlighting it in the list, making the appropriate changes, and clicking Modify. To delete a bearing point, highlight it and click Delete.

For integral piers, all girders are connected to the cap centerline so the options to specify two bearing lines and their eccentricities are disabled. Follow steps 4 through 7 above to add girder locations for it.

Note: For a sloped cap, the bearing location is measured horizontally, instead of along the cap (i.e., parallel to the global X-axis).