Example of Unknown Load Factors using Forward Construction Stage Analysis

1. Example of Unknown Load Factors using Forward

Construction Stage Analysis (for illustrative purposes only)

1.1 Example Model Dimensions

For an asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge as shown in Figrue 1, we will find pretension loads for each construction
stage by using the Unknown Load Factors feature, reflecting Forward Construction Stage Analysis.

20.0
10.0
12.0 16.0 16.0 16.0 16.0 8.0

Figure 1. Configuration at the final stage of an asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge

Table 1. Material data of the example model

Classfication Modulus of Elasiticity Poisson’s Ratio

Deck 3.0000e+006 0.3
Pylon 3.0000e+006 0.3
Cable 1.5750e+007 0.3

Table 2. Section data of the example model

Classification Cross-sectional Area Moment of Inertia

Deck 4.3800 0.9200
Pylon 1.0000 2.7600
Cable 0.0062 -
Cable 0.0208 -

Table 3. Loading data of the example model

Classification Load Type Load Value

Dead load Self weight
Cable pretension load Pretension Loads 1 tonf
Derick Crane Nodal Loads 80 tonf
Gravity load: A x γ x L
Segment Nodal Loads
Eccentric Moment: A x γ x L x L/2
Superimposed (2nd) dead load Element Beam Loads 1 tonf/m
Support movement Specified displacement 1 mm

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 Example of Unknown Load Factors using Forward Construction Stage Analysis

1.2 Construction Sequence

CS1: Erect Pylon and Deck CS2: Remove temporary supports and apply
pretension load to Cable 2

CS3: Apply pretension load to Cable 3 CS4: Install Derick Crane and place loads to
Deck

CS5: Construct additional Deck CS6: Apply pretension load to Cable 1

CS7: Apply pretension load to Cable 4 CS8: Move Derick Crane and place loads to
Deck

Figure 2. Construction Stages for the example model (CS1 ~ CS14)

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 Example of Unknown Load Factors using Forward Construction Stage Analysis

CS9: Construct additional Deck

CS10: Apply pretension load to Cable 5

CS11: Move Derick Crane and place loads to Deck

CS12: Construct additional Deck

Figure 2 Construction Stages for the example model (CS1 ~ CS14) (Continued..)

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 Example of Unknown Load Factors using Forward Construction Stage Analysis

CS13: Construct a support at the right span and place 2nd dead loads

CS14: Jack up the right support

Jack up

Figure 2 Construction Stages for the example model (CS1 ~ CS14) (Continued..)

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 Example of Unknown Load Factors using Forward Construction Stage Analysis

1.3 Generating a Construction Stage Analysis Model

Construction consists of 14 stages, and the stages are defined in Table 4.

Cable-1 Pylon Cable-4

Cable-5
Cable-2 Cable-3

Deck-1 Deck-2 Deck-3 Deck-4

Figure 3. Structure Group names used for the example model

Table 4. Defining construction stages for the example model

Structure Boundary Load: Step

Stage
Activation Deactivation Activation Deactivation Activation Deactivation

Deck-Left
Deck-1 Pylon
CS 1 - - Selfweight: First -
Pylon Elastic Sup
Temporary
CS 2 Cable-2 - - Temporary Tension 02: Last -

CS 3 Cable-3 - - - Tension 03: First -

D/C-04: First
CS 4 - - - - -
Seg-04: First
CS 5 Deck-2 - - - - Seg-04: First

CS 6 Cable-1 - - - Tension 06: First -

CS 7 Cable-4 - - - Tension 07: First -

D/C-08: First
CS 8 - - - - D/C-04: First
Seg-08: First
CS 9 Deck-3 - - - - Seg-08: First

CS 10 Cable-5 - - - Tension 10: First -

D/C-11: First
CS 11 - - - - D/C-08: First
Seg-08: First
D/C-11: First
CS 12 Deck-4 - - - -
Seg-08: First
CS 13 - - Deck-Right - - -

CS 14 - - - - Jack Up -

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 Example of Unknown Load Factors using Forward Construction Stage Analysis

(1) Construction Stage Analysis Model using MIDAS/Civil

CS1: Erect Pylon and Deck CS2: Remove temporary supports and apply
pretension load to Cable 2

CS3: Apply pretension load to Cable 3 CS4: Install Derick Crane and place loads to
Deck

CS5: Generate additional Deck CS6: Apply pretension load to Cable 1

CS7: Apply pretension load to Cable 4 CS8: Move Derick Crane and place loads to
Deck

Figure 4. Construction Stage Analysis Model using MIDAS/Civil (CS1~CS14)

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 Example of Unknown Load Factors using Forward Construction Stage Analysis

CS9: Generate additional Deck CS10: Apply pretension load to Cable 5

CS11: Move Derick Crane and place loads to Deck CS12: Generate additional Deck

CS13: Generate a support at the right span and place CS14: Jack up the right support
2nd dead loads

Figure 4. Construction Stage Analysis Model using MIDAS/Civil (CS1~CS14) (Continued..)

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 Example of Unknown Load Factors using Forward Construction Stage Analysis

1.4 Input Data for Unknown Load Factors

y After construction stage analysis is complete, switch to Post CS.

y Select CS14, which is the final stage, for Stage Name.

y Select Stage/Steps at which cable pretension loads have been activated and a support has been jacked up
(Figure 5).

Figure 5. Input data for Unknown Load Factors

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 Example of Unknown Load Factors using Forward Construction Stage Analysis

y Constrain bending moments of stringers, which are in contact with cables and the lateral displacement of the
pylon at the final stage.

Table 5. Constrained conditions for the example model

Constraint Constraint Element / Inequality Condition
Point Component
Name Type Node Upper Bound Lower Bound
1 Ele-03 Beam Force 3 J My -220 -230
2 Ele-07 Beam Force 7 J My -210 -220
3 Ele-11 Beam Force 11 J My -240 -250
4 Ele-15 Beam Force 15 J My -240 -250
5 Ele-19 Beam Force 19 J My -170 -180
6 Node 106 Displacement 106 - DX 0.0001 -0.0001

Cable-1 Cable-4
Cable-5
Cable-2 Cable-3

Figure 6. Elements and a node to be constrained

y Constraints can be readily modified using the MCT Command Shell feature. To display the entered
constraints, input *UNKCONS for Command or Data of Tools>MCT Command Shell, followed by clicking
the Insert Data button. Modify or add data within the text window and then click on the Run button. This will
reflect the modification or addition of constraints in the program.

Figure 7. Modification or addition of constraints using MCT Command Shell

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 Example of Unknown Load Factors using Forward Construction Stage Analysis

1.5 Unknown Load Factors Results

Unknown load factors, which satisfy constraint conditions (bending moments of stringers and lateral displacements of
pylons) specified at the final stage, are displayed in a table form, as shown in Figure 8.

Figure 8. Unknown Load Factors results

Figure 8 can be organized into two tables, as shown below.

Table 6. Calculated loads at each construction stage

Classification Stage/Step Entered unit load Unknown load factor Actual load
Pretension of Cable 2 CS02/Last 1 tonf 89.006 89.006 tonf
Pretension of Cable 3 CS03/Last 1 tonf 155.411 155.411 tonf
Pretension of Cable 1 CS06/Last 1 tonf 375.324 375.324 tonf
Pretension of Cable 4 CS07/Last 1 tonf 251.370 251.370 tonf
Pretension of Cable 5 CS10/Last 1 tonf 332.310 332.310 tonf
Jack Up at right support CS14/Last 1 mm 42.658 42.658 mm

Table 7. Results at the final stage (CS 14) after the calculated loads for each construction stage have been reflected
Unit: tonf·m, m
Lateral
Classification Bending moment of stringer displacement of
pylon
Element Element Element
Location Element 3(J) Element 7(J) Node 106
11(J) 15(J) 19(J)
Final result -230.0 -220.0 -250.0 -250.0 -170.0 0.0001

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 Example of Unknown Load Factors using Forward Construction Stage Analysis

Influence Matrix obtained from Unknown Load Factors is shown in Figure 9.

Figure 9. Displaying Influence Matrix

As shown in Figure 10, Influence Matrix obtained from Unknown Load Factors is convertible into an Excel sheet.

Figure 10. Influence Matrix converted into an Excel sheet

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 Example of Unknown Load Factors using Forward Construction Stage Analysis

1.6 Construction Stage Analysis

Load factors calculated from Unknown Load Factors are reflected in the staged construction model and the re-
analyzed results are shown in Figure 11 and 12.

-1660 -3635 -4132 -2398 -239

Figure 11. Bending moments at the final stage (CS14)

Figure 12. Cable axial forces at the final stage (CS14)

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 Example of Unknown Load Factors using Forward Construction Stage Analysis

(1) Bending moments at each construction stage

CS01: Erect Pylon and Deck CS02: Remove temporary supports and apply
pretension load to Cable 2

-1402

410

CS03: Apply pretension load to Cable 3 CS04: Install Derrick Crane and place loads on Deck

-1389 -3111
-1038 -1402

406

CS05: Generate additional Deck CS06: Apply pretension load to Cable 1

-3111 -3111
-1038 -1402 -1038 -1402

CS07: Apply pretension load to Cable 4 CS08: Move Derrick Crane and place loads on Deck

-3106 -1393
-1033 -3566 -3776
-1574 -1402

Figure 13-A. Bending moments at each construction stage (CS01~CS08)

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 Example of Unknown Load Factors using Forward Construction Stage Analysis

CS09: Generate additional Deck CS10: Apply pretension load to Cable 5

-3566 -3776 -3776

-1574 -1402 -3566
-1574 -1402

CS11: Move Derrick Crane and place loads on Deck CS12: Generate additional Deck

-4655 -3476 -4146

-3635 -3131 -2537
-1904 -1904
-350

CS13: Generate a support at the right span and CS14: Jack up the right support
nd
place 2 dead loads

-4134
-3635 -2400 -4132
-1904 -3635 -2398
-241 -1660
-239

Figure 13-B. Bending moments at each construction stage (CS09~CS14)

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