Modeling Closure Pours for Steel Plates Girders

Question:

Is there a way to model closure pours for steel plate girder bridges built in phases?

For example, if we want to build 5 girder lines, pour deck, run live load and do design checks then add 4 more girders to the model but not attach to original 5 girders, pour deck on those 4 additional girders then attach to original 5 girder bridge with a closure pour and then run live load on all 9 girder section?

If so, can you use the wizard and/or have to make modifications to the model?

If not, what is the best approach in Midas to model a phased constructed steel plate girder bridge?

Please note we will also have integral steel piers that will also be phased constructed.

Thanks for the help!

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Answer:
Hi,

It is not possible to do it within one model file because live load analysis and design check cannot be performed during construction stages. Both is performed only at PostCS. Thus, you will need two separate model files.
- Model 1: build 5 girder lines, pour deck, run live load and do design checks.
Wizard can be used for this model, but if you want to haveintegral steel piers that will be phased constructed, wizard cannot be used.


- Model 2: build 5 girder lines, pour deck, then add 4 more girders to the model but not attach to original 5 girders, pour deck on those 4 additional girders then attach to original 5 girder bridge with a closure pour and then run live load on all 9 girder section. Plus, build integral steel piers that will be phased constructed.
Wizard cannot be used. This model needs to be created manually.

Regards,
DK Lee