Tutorial 3: Three-Span Balanced Cantilever Bridge Page 1 of 9

Tutorial 3: Three-Span Balanced Cantilever Bridge

This tutorial demonstrates how to create your own civil data for preliminary modeling. You will then model a segmental concrete bridge by the balanced cantilever construction
method.

This tutorial will take approximately 45 minutes to complete.

Note: This tutorial uses several of the Civil Tools included in OpenBridge Modeler to create a very basic road alignment and terrain. You can review the Civil Tools help to learn more
about using these tools and how to model more complex civil geometries.

To create a new project

Create Civil Geometry
Modeling the Balanced Cantilever
To connect with analytics
To update the alignment

Parent topic: Tutorials

To create a new project

To create a new project for the segmental, balanced cantilever bridge, do the following.

With OpenBridge Modeler started, close any open files. A File Open dialog opens.

This tutorial uses metric units, including metric templates. Therefore, you will select the supplied metric seed file when creating the model file.

1. In the File Open dialog, navigate to your Projects folder (or wherever you want to save this file).

2. Click the New Folder tool ( ) and name the folder Tutorial3.
3. Double-click this folder to open it.

4. Select the New file tool ( ) in the File Open dialog. The New dialog opens.
5. Type Balanced Cantilever Tutorial in the File name field.
6. Select the seed file:
a. Click Browse. The Select Seed File dialog opens.
b. Navigate to \WorkSpace\System\seed\. This is typically the default location when searching for Seed files.
By default, the WorkSpace folder is located in C:\ProgramData\Bentley\OpenBridgeModeler V8i 08.11.xx.xxx\ .
Note: The folder C:\ProgramData\ is hidden by default in Windows. You will need to make it visible. Refer to http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/show-
hidden-files to for information on how to do this for different versions of Windows.
c. Select the OBM-seed3d-metric.dgn file and click Open.
7. Click Save. The new file is created with the selected Seed file data.
8. Select Balanced Cantilever Tutorial.dgn and click Open.

The file is opened in OpenBridge Modeler.

Parent topic: Tutorial 3: Three-Span Balanced Cantilever Bridge

Next topic: Create Civil Geometry

Create Civil Geometry

This tutorial uses the Civil Tools included in OpenBridge Modeler to generate some basic civil geometry.

Though you may typically receive civil geometry files for alignment and terrain from a civil engineer for a bridge project, there are instances where you may need to create your own
roadway data. For smaller projects or preliminary investigations on larger projects, you have all the tools necessary to quickly create a simple alignment (as is demonstrated here) or
even the most complex civil geometries required for any bridge.

To create a horizontal curve

To create the vertical geometry
To create a terrain model

Parent topic: Tutorial 3: Three-Span Balanced Cantilever Bridge

Previous topic: To create a new project
Next topic: Modeling the Balanced Cantilever

To create a horizontal curve

To create a simple, chord to use for the horizontal alignment, do the following.

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Tip: Change your view rotation to Top View to display the horizontal curve layout.

The civil tools can be used to create a horizontal curve as the basis for the alignment. This tutorial will use a chord for the alignment, but more complex curves can be created using
similar methods.

1. Open the Civil Tools task.

2. Select the Line Between Points tool in the Horizontal Geometry task group.

3. In the tool settings dialog, set the tool parameters:

a. Set the Distance option and type a value of 600.0000 (m).
b. Set the Direction option and type a value of 356.
4. Place the line in the view window with a Top Down orientation:
a. Data point anywhere in the view window.
b. Data point again to accept.
The chord which will be the base of the horizontal alignment is placed.
Tip: Select the Fit View tool in the view window to display the entire line.

5. Move the line to a more convenient location in the drawing for use later:
a. Select the line and then select the Properties tool ( ) from the pop-up tool bar. The Properties are displayed in a pop-up window.

b. Expand the Start Point group and then type an X coordinate of 2155580 (2,155,580 m) and a Y coordinate of 593200 (593200 m).
c. In the Length and Direction fields, type 600.000 [m] and 356. Changing the start point will alter these from when you first created the line.
d. Click away from the pop-up properties.
The line is moved. Use the Fit View tool again to change the view to the current line location.
6. Select the Complex By Elements tool in the Horizontal Geometry task group.

This tool is used to construct a complex element out of one or more elements. This complex element will have basic stationing assigned, among other attributes.
7. In the Create Complex Elements tool settings dialog, set the following tool parameters:
a. Type a MyAlignment in the Name field.
Note: It is required that an alignment have a name in order to be used for a bridge in OpenBridge Modeler.

b. Select Automatic from the Method drop-down list.

8. Data point on the line near the start (left end). An arrow will preview the direction of the ahead stations.

9. Data point again to accept the selection.

10. Set the start station value:
a. Select the Start Station tool in the Horizontal Geometry task group.

b. In the view window, data point on the alignment.

c. Type 0 at the Start Distance prompt and press <Return>.
d. Data point to accept the value.
e. Type 127+41.4500 at the Start Station prompt and press <Return>.

You now have a 600m long horizontal curve that begins with Station 127+41.4500. Next, you will need to create vertical geometry and associate it with the horizontal alignment.

Parent topic: Create Civil Geometry

Next topic: To create the vertical geometry

To create the vertical geometry

To create the profile

Similar to how you generated the horizontal alignment, you will use a simple straight grade for the vertical curve. More complex vertical curves can be created using similar methods.

1. Either:
select the Open Profile Model tool in the Vertical Geometry task group (in the Civil Tools task)

or

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select the alignment (i.e., the horizontal curve you previously created) and then select the Open Profile Model tool from the pop-up toolbar
2. If you used the Open Profile Model tool in the previous step, data point on the alignment (i.e., the horizontal curve you previously created) in the top-down view (i.e., plan
view).
3. In the View Groups toolbar, select an unopened view number and then data point inside that view window.

The Profile - MyAlignment opens.

4. Select the Profile Line Between Points tool in the Vertical Geometry task group.

5. In the Profile Line Between Points tool settings dialog, set the tool parameters:
a. Set the Length option and type a value of 600 (m).
b. Set the Slope option and type a value of -0.500%. The "%" is added automatically.
6. Data point near the 20m elevation at Station 127+41 in the profile view.
7. Data point again to set the profile line.
8. Select the Set Active Profile tool in the Vertical Geometry task group.

9. Data point on the alignment in the plan view.

10. Data point on the profile line in the profile view.

You have create an entire roadway alignment, albeit a very simple one.

Tip: You may now close the profile view of the alignment.

Parent topic: Create Civil Geometry

Previous topic: To create a horizontal curve
Next topic: To create a terrain model

To create a terrain model

To create a simple, flat terrain model for this bridge, do the following.

Tip: Change your view rotation to Top View to display the horizontal curve layout.

1. Select the Drawing task.

Tip: To select a different task, click the drop-down arrow on the right-hand end of the Tasks tab within the Tasks dialog.

2. Select the Place Block tool in the Drawing task group.

3. Data point to the top, left of the alignment.

4. Data point again to the bottom, right of the alignment, such that the entire alignment is contained with the block.
5. Select the Civil Tools task.
6. Create the terrain element from the block:
a. Select the Create From Elements tool in the Terrain Model task group.

b. In the Create Terrain Model from Elements tool settings dialog, type MyTerrain in the Name field.
c. Data point on the block.
d. Reset to accept the selection set.
e. Data twice more to accept the default settings.
The rectangular block area is now recognized as a terrain model.

You now have a terrain model set as active for your bridge model. Along with the alignment, you then have all the minimum geometry necessary to start modeling a bridge.

You will set this terrain model as active after you add the bridge to the project.

Parent topic: Create Civil Geometry

Previous topic: To create the vertical geometry

Modeling the Balanced Cantilever

This section describes how to model the segmental bridge using the balanced cantilever method of construction.

To add the bridge

To place the pierlines

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To place the segments at abutments

To place segments over interior pierlines
To add a depth constraint
To place the interior piers
To place the abutments
To place bearings
To place the barriers

Parent topic: Tutorial 3: Three-Span Balanced Cantilever Bridge

Previous topic: Create Civil Geometry
Next topic: To connect with analytics

To add the bridge

To add the bridge to the project, do the following.

1. On the Bridge Setup ribbon tab, select the Add tool in the Bridge group.

2. In the Add Bridge tool settings dialog, select Segmental from the Bridge Type drop-down list.
3. Data point on the alignment.
4. Data point again to accept the default bridge name, BR1.
5. On the Bridge Setup ribbon tab, select the Terrain tool in the Bridge group.

6. Data point on the terrain in the view window.

You can review the bridge data to see that the alignment and terrain you have created are being used. Select the Bridge Data tab in the Project Explorer window and then expand the
entry for Bridges > Bridge(BR 1).

Parent topic: Modeling the Balanced Cantilever

To place the pierlines

To place the pierlines for the three-span bridge, do the following.

In this tutorial, the pierlines are not skewed. You will use Place By Middle Point and Place Parallel tools to place the first pierline and then copy it by an offset distance.

1. On the Pierline ribbon tab, select the Middle tool in the Place group

2. In the Place Pierline by Middle Point tool settings dialog, set the tool parameters:
a. Check the Skew Angle option and type a value of 0.
b. Check the Length option and type a value of 35.0000 (m).
c. Check the Station option and type a value of 127+66.4500 .
3. Data point twice on the alignment to accept the settings. The first pierline is placed.
4. On the Pierline ribbon tab, select the Parallel tool in the Place group

5. In the Place Pierline Parallel tool settings dialog, set the Offset option and type a value 150.0000 (m).
6. Data point on the first pierline and again in the ahead station direction. A copy of the first pierline is set at Sta 129+16.4500
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 to set two more pierlines at offsets of 200m and 150m from pierlines 2 and 3, respectively. These will be at Sta 131+16.4500 and Sta 132+66.4500,
respectively.

All four piers are now placed.

Parent topic: Modeling the Balanced Cantilever

To place the segments at abutments

To place the balanced cantilever segments at the abutments, do the following.

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In a typical balanced cantilever construction, the abutment cantilevers are placed first. While in the OpenBridge Modeler model, this doesn't have any direct impact, numbering the
order that the builds are placed is exported to analysis and design software such as RM Bridge, uses this data for staged construction analysis.

1. On the Segmental ribbon tab, select the Place tool in the Cantilever group

2. In the Place Cantilever Segmental tool settings dialog, select the segment template to use:
a. Click [] adjacent to the Template Name setting. The Template Selection dialog opens.
b. In the Standard Templates list, select the SegBox0600 template.
c. Click OK.
3. Set the following tool parameters:
a. Check the Build Order option and type a value of 1.
b. Check the Seg. Length option and type a value of 5@9 (m).
c. Check the Pier Seg. Length option and type a value of 5 (m).
Leave the other fields their default (offsets and CIP Length of 0.0000, chorded option clear, Constraints option clear, and Template Orientation of vertical).
Note: You will add constraints for the overall depth variation once all segments are placed.

4. Data point on the first pierline. The length back and ahead are displayed (UB and UA) for the preliminary placement are displayed.
5. Repeat step 4 to place the same cantilever segments on pierline 4.
Tip: The Build Order will automatically increment to 2.

Parent topic: Modeling the Balanced Cantilever

To place segments over interior pierlines

To place the balanced cantilever segmental builds over the interior pierlines as well as add closure pours, do the following.

1. On the Segmental ribbon tab, select the Place tool in the Cantilever group

Note: The same Template Name should still be selected, but if not, select SegBox0600.

2. In the Place Cantilever Segmental tool settings dialog, select the segment template to use:
a. Check the Seg. Length option and type a value of 9@10:9@10.
Tip: The colon (":") is used to separate the number at length used in the back and ahead station cantilevers. A semicolon (";") can be used to change the number at length
values within a cantilever.
b. Check the Pier Seg. Length option and type a value of 5:5 (m).
3. Data point on pierline 2.
4. Repeat step 3 to place the same balanced cantilever over pierline 3.
5. On the Segmental ribbon tab, select the Close tool in the Cantilever group

6. In the Close Segmental Balance tool settings dialog, type 11.0000 (m) in the Max CIP Segment Length field.
7. Data point on the alignment. The closure pours are added to the balanced cantilever segmental construction.

In the Project Explorer panel, expand the Bridges > Bridge (BR 1) > Units > Unit 1 :: Segmental Bridge > Segmental > Segmental Cantilever :: 3 > 3 :: Back entry, you will see the Pier,
Typical, and Closure segments listed.

Right-click and select Properties on any segment to display the bridge data properties of that segment in the Element Information dialog.

Right-click and select Highlight to highlight the segment in the view window.

Parent topic: Modeling the Balanced Cantilever

To add a depth constraint

To add variable depth along the length of the segmental bridge, with maximum depth over the interior piers, do the following.

1. On the Segmental ribbon tab, select the Constraints tool in the Cantilever group

The Edit Constraints dialog opens.

2. Click Edit in the cell adjacent to the SegBox0600 entry. The Solid Constraints Definition dialog opens.

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3. In the Variables drop-down list, select total_depth and then click Add.
Tip: Select the Variation tab to display the variation of the selected variable along the length. The graphic shows the curve upside-down in comparison to the bottom flange of
the final bridge.

4. Set the depth variation in the first span:

a. Click the Add button ( ) to add a row to the table.
b. Type 4.700 in the End Value cell.
c. Select Parabolic Start in the drop-down list in the Transition cell.
5. Set the depth variation in the middle span:
a. Click the Add button ( ) to add a 2nd row to the table.
b. Select Pierline2 in the drop-down list in the From cell of the 2nd row.
c. Type 0.000 in the Relative Location cell.
d. Type 4.700 in the Start Value cell.
e. Select Parabolic End in the drop-down list in the Transition cell.
f. Click the Add button ( ) to add a 3rd row to the table.
g. Select Pierline2 in the drop-down list in the From cell of the 3rd row.
h. Type 100.000 in the Relative Location cell in the 3rd row (i.e., midspan of the second span).
i. Type 4.700 in the End Value cell.
j. Select Parabolic Start in the drop-down list in the Transition cell.
6. Set the depth variation in the last span:
a. Click the Add button ( ) to add a 4th row to the table.
b. Select Pierline3 in the drop-down list in the From cell of the 4th row.
c. Type 0.000 in the Relative Location cell.
d. Type 4.700 in the Start Value cell.
e. Select Parabolic End in the drop-down list in the Transition cell.
The resulting table should appear as follows:

Table 1. Variable constraint total_depth values for Tutorial 3

Location Type Relative Location From Start Value End Value Transition
From Pierline 0.0000 Pierline1 2.7000 4.7000 Parabolic Start

From Pierline 0.0000 Pierline2 4.7000 2.7000 Parabolic End

From Pierline 100.0000 Pierline2 2.7000 4.7000 Parabolic Start
From Pierline 0.0000 Pierline3 4.7000 2.7000 Parabolic End

7. Click Apply.
8. In the VariableConstraintMulti dialog, click OK. The segments are regenerated with the varying depth constraints.

You can use the View Rotation: Rotate View tool to move the view about in 3D to view the varying depth applied to the bottom of the section.

Parent topic: Modeling the Balanced Cantilever

To place the interior piers

To place the pier from a custom template on the interior pierlines, do the following.

This tutorial will use one of the stock abutment templates that is installed with OpenBridge Modeler. The Cap Length Adjustment feature will be used to limit the abutment length to
the width of the deck

1. On the Substructure tab, select the Place tool in the Pier group

2. In the Place Piers tool settings dialog, select the pier template to use:
a. Click [] adjacent to the Template Name setting. The Template Selection dialog opens.
b. In the lists of pier types, select the MultiColumn > SI-HammerHead_Pier template.
c. Click Close.
3. Select None from the Cap Length Adjustment drop-down list
4. In the view window, do the following:
a. Data point (i.e., click) on pierline 2 and pierline 3.
Tip: You can click a pierline again to remove it from the selection set.

b. Reset (i.e., right-click) to set the selection set.

c. Data point again to accept the selection set.
5. Adjust the pier dimensions by doing the following:
a. Select the pier and then select the Properties tool ( ) from the pop-up toolbar.
b. In the Substructure Template, click the [] button in the SELECT to Edit field to edit.

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The Edit Pier dialog opens.

c. Type 4.500 [m] in the Cap Length field on the Cap tab.
d. Type 0.7500 [m] in both the Left Taper Length and Right Taper Length fields on the Cap tab.
e. Click OK.
The is hammerhead pier is resized for the bridge.
6. Repeat Step 5 for the second pier.

The piers are placed in your project.

Parent topic: Modeling the Balanced Cantilever

To place the abutments

To place abutments at the end pierlines, do the following.

This tutorial will use one of the stock abutment templates that is installed with OpenBridge Modeler. The Cap Length Adjustment feature will be used to limit the abutment length to
the width of the deck.

1. On the Substructure ribbon tab, select the Place tool in the Abutment group

2. In the Place Abutment tool settings dialog, select the abutment template to use:
a. Click [] adjacent to the Template Name setting. The Template Selection dialog opens.
b. In the lists of abutment types, select the StemWall > SI Units_3 lane - 12m template
c. Click Close.
3. Set the following tool parameters:
a. Select Start from the Orientation drop-down list.
b. Select By Deck from the Cap Length Adjustment drop-down list.
4. In the view window, do the following:
a. Data point on Pierline 1.
b. Data point again (away from any other objects) to accept the selection.
The abutment is placed at the first pierline.
5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4, this time setting the Orientation to End and selecting Pierline 4.

You have now placed the same abutment template at either end of the bridge.

Parent topic: Modeling the Balanced Cantilever

To place bearings
To place the beam bearings and grout pads at the piers, do the following.

1. On the Substructure ribbon tab, select the Place tool in the Bearing group.

2. In the Place Bearing Under Beam tool settings dialog, use the following Bearing settings:

Settings Value
Bearing Type Cube

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Cube Length 0.3000 (m)

Cube Width 0.3000 (m)

Cube Height 0.1000 (m)

Orientation Pier

3. In the Place Bearing Under Beam tool settings dialog, use the following Path settings:

Settings Value
Back Offset -0.2500 (m)

Ahead Offset 0.2500 (m)

Lateral Offset 1 -0.5000 (m)

Lateral Offset 2 0.5000 (m)

Note: The lateral offsets are used for segmental bridges to allow for a pair of bearings to be specified; two at abutments and four (using all four offset values) at interior piers.

4. In the Place Bearing Under Beam tool settings dialog, select No for both the Has Grout Pads and Has Beam Seats settings.
5. In the view window, do the following:
a. Select all the pierlines (Pierline 1 through Pierline 4).
b. Reset (i.e., right-click) to set the selection set.
c. Data point again to accept the selection set.

The bearings and beam seats are added to the model.

Parent topic: Modeling the Balanced Cantilever

To place the barriers

To place the barriers on either side of the bridge deck, do the following.

1. On the Auxiliary ribbon tab, select the Place tool in the Barrier group.

2. In the Place Barrier tool settings dialog, clear the Add Constraints setting if it is checked. All other settings will be their default value (i.e., all offsets set to zero) and orientation
of vertical).
3. In the Place Barrier tool settings dialog, select the barrier template to use:
a. Click the [] button adjacent to the Template Name setting.
b. In the list of Barriers, select the 32" F SHAPE L barrier template.
Note: Barriers are designated Left (L) and Right (R). You must select the one for the side of the deck you will be placing.

c. Click OK.
4. In the view window do the following:
a. Data point on each of the cantilever decks (four in total).
Tip: This works best in plan view (top down).

b. Reset (i.e., right-click) to set the selection set.

c. Data point again to accept.
The Path Selection dialog opens.
5. To select the path along the left of the bridge deck, do the following:
a. In the Path Selection dialog, click Select Guideline from List. A Path Selection dialog displaying the deck cross-section opens.
b. In the Guideline Point Name list, select P_10 (or the point corresponding to the left, top corner of the segment wing).
Tip: Use the view navigation controls to inspect the cross-section view. Alternatively, click in the view and then you can roll your mouse scroll wheel to zoom in or out and
click-and-hold the mouse scroll wheel to drag the view.
c. Click OK.
6. Click OK. The barrier is placed along the left side of the bridge deck.
7. Repeat steps 3 through 6 again, this time:
selecting the 32" F SHAPE R barrier template
placing along point P_0 (or the point corresponding to the right, top corner of the segment wing).

The barriers are now placed along the deck edges. Your bridge is now completely modeled.

Parent topic: Modeling the Balanced Cantilever

To connect with analytics

To export the modeled bridge data to RM Bridge, do the following.

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1. On the Interop ribbon tab, select the RM tool in the Analytics group and then select Export from the drop-down list

2. Click OK.

The bridge model opens in RM Bridge.

Parent topic: Tutorial 3: Three-Span Balanced Cantilever Bridge

Previous topic: Modeling the Balanced Cantilever
Next topic: To update the alignment

To update the alignment

To update the alignment for the preliminary design to bridge alignment from a civil engineer, do the following.

1. On the Bridge Setup ribbon tab, select the Geometry tool in the Civil group

The Import Geometry dialog opens.

2. Navigate to \WorkSpace\Projects\Examples\Tutorial1\US301 over RR.gpk and then click Open.
By default, the WorkSpace folder is located in C:\ProgramData\Bentley\OpenBridgeModeler V8i 08.11.xx.xxx\ .
Note: The folder C:\ProgramData\ is hidden by default in Windows. You will need to make it visible. Refer to http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/show-
hidden-files to for information on how to do this for different versions of Windows.
The Import Geometry dialog opens.
3. Select the US301 profile only:
a. Click the [+] (plus sign) next to the Alignment entry and then again next to the NoFeature entry to expand the list.
b. Scroll to the US301 entry and click the [+] (plus sign) to expand the list.
c. Clear the check mark from the Profile entry and then click the [+] (plus sign) to expand the list.
d. Scroll to the US301FP entry and check this entry.
e. Check the Create Civil Rules option.
4. Click Import.
5. On the Bridge Setup ribbon tab, select the Alignment tool in the Bridge group

6. Data point on the US301 alignment.

Note: You will need to perform a Fit View and the zoom into the imported alignment first.

The bridge is shifted to the new alignment.

Parent topic: Tutorial 3: Three-Span Balanced Cantilever Bridge

Previous topic: To connect with analytics

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