Pre-Processor for Cable Stayed Bridges (Step 3)
The Step 3 sub-function creates 3 TCL files:
The Step 3 sub-function creates 3 TCL files:
- Step3-sys.TCL (default name) for subdividing the cables and creating the new nodes and elements along the sagging line
- Step3-undo.TCL (default name) for re-establishing the original state if required
- Step3-load.TCL (default name) for creating the loading information (like step1-load.TCL)
for the subdivided cables (new elements and nodes)
The step 3 input pad requires the following data to be entered or modified:
- The names of the TCL files to be created (default names see above)
- The name of the Schedule where elements will be activated.
- The name of the Summation load case.
- The table of stressing information for each cable.
It is possible to see schedule from step1 where load sets and load cases are stored and setting for All in final state LC, but impossible to change it in this step.
The table of stressing information contains the following parameters:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Cable Nr | Element no. of the original cable (created by the program) |
| NDiv | Number of subdivisions (information from the element table, no direct modification) |
| Stage No. | of the construction stage, where the cable is stressed (default 1, modification with the edit button) |
| Gamma LSet | Name of the self-weight load set (taken over from the step 1 information, no direct modification) |
| FX0/LX0 LSet | Name of the fix stressing part load set (taken over from the step 1 information, no direct modification possible) |
| LCase | Name of the self weight and fix stressing part load case (default: name of the Gamma LSet, modification with the edit button) |
| AddCon LSet | Name of the variable stressing load set (taken over from the step 1 information, no direct modification possible) |
| AddCon LCase | Name of the variable stressing load case (taken over from the step 1 information, no direct modification possible) |
| First cable no. | Start no. of the element series created in the subdivision process (default: no. of the original cable + 1) |
| First node no. | Start no. of the node series created in the subdivision process along the sagging line (default: no. of the original cable + 1) |
| LSys | System length of the cable (informative) |
| LX0 total | Total stress-free length of the cable (informative) |
Editable values can be modified by using Edit button and sometimes by double-click. When you select only some lines (using <Ctrl>+left mouse button), only the selected lines will be edited.
The above-mentioned TCL files are created on selecting the Write button. Step3-sys.TCL and step3-load.TCL must both be imported before the final non-linear construction stage analysis may be performed.