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Using
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...
,
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initial
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cable
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forces
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may
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be
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obtained
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for
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a
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cable-stayed
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bridge
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by
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following
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the
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process
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outlined
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in
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this
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article.
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Modify undeformed geometry
- Model the final geometry of the bridge in its deformed configuration.
- On the Cable Shape Definition menu, select the option for Relative Undeformed Length.
- Use a nonlinear load case to analyze the bridge under applied dead loads.
- Run analysis again by selecting Analysis > Shape Finding > Modify Geometry. Iterate until deformed shape converges to the geometry desired.
- Extract the cable forces.
Verify cable forces
The procedure used to verify these cable forces is as follows:
- Apply the dead loads and the cable target forces (previously determined), then run a nonlinear static analysis for this loading condition.
- If the cable forces are optimal, then the structure, when modeled in its final configuration, should experience negligible deflection under dead-load and target-cable forces.
Use the unit-load method to tune cable forces
- If deflection is not negligible, then the unit-load method may be manually applied to determine how cable forces should be adjusted.
See Also
- Cable-stayed bridge first steps tutorial
- Cable-stayed bridge FAQ article