For large or finely discretized models, influence-based moving-load analysis may become time consuming. While this level of detail may be suitable for final analysis, a series of tips, possibly useful to preliminary design, are available to reduce computational time.
These suggestions are listed as follows:
- Reduce the number of members for which response is computed by specifying groups smaller than All on the Moving Load Case Results Saved menu (Figure 1), available through Define > Bridge Loads > Bridge Responses or Bridge > Bridge Response.
- Use a coarser lane discretization.
- Use the Quick Response Calculation option, which uses a limited number of lane-load points to approximate the shape of the influence line. Additional information is available in the
Analysis Reference Manual (Moving Load Analysis > Exact and Quick Response Calculation, page 463).
