Cross Section Layout Dialog Box

The Cross Section Layout dialog box allows you to define the cross sectional dimensions and their variation along the bridge. To open this dialog box, click the Cross Section button on the Geometry tab.

CIP RC/PT Girder uses a parametric approach for describing the bridge cross section. The Multi-Cell CIP Box Section dialog box consists of twenty-two parameters describing the typical bridge cross section. Nineteen of those parameters can be varied linearly or parabolically over a defined distance. A complete "full" cross section can be defined by specifying all of these parameters or a partial "variant" cross section can be used to describe the variation from as many as five specific parameters. A cross section can also be recalled and used at different locations.

A bridge cross section can be defined by three steps: 1) Define the location along the centerline of the bridge where the section is to be located. 2) Define the type of variation to be applied from the previous cross section. 3) Set the values of the specific cross section parameters using this dialog box. You do not have to define all cross section parameters at every location. Instead,CIP RC/PT Girder allows you to define the variation of individual parameters; therefore, it is possible to vary the depth of the bridge parabolically over an entire span while at the same time varying a girder or slab linearly over a different distance.

Adding Sections

This function adds a full cross section after the selected section. Specific section parameters are entered using the Multi-Cell CIP Box Section dialog box.

Perform the following steps to add a section:

In the grid, select the section you want to add a new section to by clicking anywhere in its row. A blue arrow displays on the left side of the grid to mark the selection.
Click the Add Section button. This adds a section after the selected one.
Locate the section along the bridge by specifying the span number and location within the span.
Enter the section values in the grid. A definition for each parameter is available below.
Define the type of variation to be applied from the previous cross section.

Adding Variants

This function adds a variant cross section after the selected section. A variant cross section allows you to specify as many as five specific parameters to vary. Parameters vary individually from the previous specification of the parameter.

Perform the following steps to add a variant:

In the grid, select the section you want to add a variant to by clicking anywhere in its row. A blue arrow displays on the left side of the grid to mark the selection.
Click the Add Variant button. This adds a variant after the selected section.
Locate the section along the bridge by specifying the span number and location within the span.
Enter the variant values in the grid. A definition for each parameter is available below.
Define the type of variation to be applied from the previous cross section.

Recalling Sections

This function refers to a previously defined cross section and places it after the selected section. Perform the following steps to recall an existing section after the selected section:

In the grid, select the section you want to add to by clicking anywhere in its row. A blue arrow displays on the left side of the grid to mark the selection.
Click the Recall Section button.
Locate the section along the bridge by specifying the span number and location within the span.
Define the type of variation to be applied from the previous cross section.

Deleting Sections

This function deletes the selected cross section. Note that any parametric variation specified following this section will refer to the section preceding the deleted one.

Note: You will not be asked to confirm this delete command nor can this deletion be undone.

Perform the following steps to delete a section from the cross section layout:

In the grid, select the section you want to delete by clicking anywhere in its row. A blue arrow displays on the left side of the grid to mark the selection.
Click the Delete Section button to remove the selected section.

Grid Definitions

Setting

Description

Sec Type

This noneditable field lists whether the section is a full, variant, or a recalled cross section.

Sec Name

Enter the name of the section.

Span Num

Enter the span number.

Loc In Span

Enter the location of the section within the span.

Define the location of the section as either a percentage of the span or as a distance in the current units along the span.

From

Indicate whether the location of the section is being specified from the head (start) or the tail (end) of the span.

Section Variation

Select the section variation type from the drop-down list.

Setting	Description
Constant	Section changes begin instantaneously beginning at this location.
Linear	Section parameters vary linearly from the last location the parameter was specified.
Parab Start	Section parameters vary parabolically from the last location the parameter was specified. The parabolic form is where the parabola has a zero slope (i.e., horizontal) at the start of the parabola (located at the last location the parameter was specified).
Parab End	Section parameters vary parabolically from the last location the parameter was specified. The parabolic form is where the parabola has a zero slope (i.e., horizontal) at the end of the parabola (located at the last location the parameter was specified).

Section Def

Define a full cross section variation using the Multi-Cell CIP Box Section dialog box.

Struct Depth

Define the structural depth.

T-Slab Thick

Define the thickness of the top slab.

B-Slab Thick

Define the thickness of the bottom slab.

I-Web Thick

Define the thickness of the interior girder webs.

Other Parameter

Select an additional variant cross section to modify by selecting the desired parameter from the drop-down list. As many as five parameters can be specified on a single variant cross section. For definitions of specific parameters, refer to the discussion of the Multi-Cell CIP Box Section dialog box.

Setting	Description
None	Indicates the Other parameter is unused.
SS Width	Define the superstructure width.
LEG Wb Thk	Define the left exterior girder web thickness.
LEG Factor	Define the left exterior girder factor.
LEG Radius	Define the left exterior girder radius.
REG Wb Thk	Define the right exterior girder web thickness.
REG Factor	Define the right exterior girder factor.
REG Radius	Define the right exterior girder radius.
LOH Len	Define the length of the left overhang.
LOH Ext Thk	Define the thickness of the left outside edge of the top slab.
LOH Int Thk	Define the thickness of the top slab at the left exterior girder.
ROH Len	Define the length of the right overhang.
ROH Ext Thk	Define the thickness of the right outside edge of the top slab.
ROH Int Thk	Define the thickness of the top slab at the right exterior girder.

Parameter Value

Enter the value for the selected section parameter.

Technical Discussion

CIP RC/PT Girder describes the bridge cross-section parametrically which simplifies the description of a typical box-girder bridge. Additionally, longitudinal variations in individual parameters of the cross-section can be interpolated separately producing a more exact computation of cross-section properties.

Cross sections that are located at the same location are superimposed. When you are placing many cross sections at the same location vary the location by a small amount to allow selecting and viewing of the cross section in the graphic view.