Bridge Construction Group Definition Form

Use the Bridge Construction Group Definition form to specify groups for staged construction analysis. That is, the various types of bridge sections consist of components that can be included in default groups created by the Bridge Object when the model is updated. Use the Bridge Construction Group Definition form to specify the bridge group type (see Table 1). The specific parameters required for the form depends on the Group Type selected.

After a Bridge Group has been defined in a Bridge Object, when updating a linked bridge model, the program will generate an associated general Group with the format of the name: "BOBj_BGRPi". The Group ID will be saved in the Bridge Group data structure. If a Bridge Group is deleted, the associated general Group will be deleted when the linked bridge is updated, regardless of whether the user has modified the associated group or not.

TIP After a Bridge Group has been defined, be sure to modify the Bridge Group content if the Bridge Object data (e.g. number of span, span length, diaphragm assignment) is modified.

Bridge Group Name. Use the name in this edit box or type a new name for the Bridge Construction Group Definition.
Bridge Group Type drop-down list. Select the group to be created by the Bridge Object when the bridge model is updated. See Table 1.
Bridge Object display box. The name of the bridge object that will create the staged construction groups is shown here.
Units drop-down list. Use the units shown or select another set for use in specifying the distances required in this form.
Group Ranges / Support Structures / Support Bearings / In-Span Hinge Bearings. The parameters required change depending on the Bridge Group Type selected. Table 1 identifies the Groups Types and associated Parameters and Options. The available groups of objects depend on which objects have been included in the model. For example, if no Tendons have been defined in the bridge model, the "Tendon" Group Type will not be included in the "Bridge Group Type" drop-down list.

Table 1 Group Types and Associated Parameters and Options
Group Type	Parameters	Specific Options
Section: The entire superstructure cross section within one or more longitudinal ranges.	Groups Ranges	Position drop-down list - Define the superstructure transverse ranges; "Entire Section" is the only option. Start Span/Start Distance and End Span/End Distance drop-down lists - Specify the Begin and End Spans and the Begin and End Distances, as measured along the layout line, to be included in the group. The Span in a Group Range cannot cross over into another Section.
Segment: The entire superstructure cross section within one or more span segments,	Groups Ranges	Start Segment and End Segment drop-down lists - Specify the segment range to be included in the group.
Top Slab: The top slab (deck) within one or more longitudinal ranges and for one or more girders.	Groups Ranges	Position drop-down list - Specify the portion of the top slab to be included in the group by specifying a girder(s) to which the Spans and Begin and End Distances can be referenced. Start Span/Start Distance and End Span/End Distance drop-down lists - Specify the Begin and End Spans and the Begin and End Distances, as measured along the layout line, to designate the portion of the top slab to be included in the group. The Span in a Group Range cannot cross over into another Section.
Bottom Slab: The bottom slab (soffit) within one or more longitudinal ranges and for one or more girders.	Groups Ranges	Position drop-down list - Specify the portion of the bottom slab (soffit) to be included in the group by specifying a girder(s) to which the Spans and Begin and End Distances can be referenced. Start Span/Begin Distance and End Span/End Distance drop-down lists - Specify the span(s) and the portion(s) of the span, as measured along the layout line, defining the portion of the bottom slab to be included in the group. The Span in a Group Range cannot cross over into another Section.
Web: The webs of a box girder section within one or more longitudinal ranges and for one or more girders.	Groups Ranges	Position drop-down list - Specify the girders with the webs that are to be included in the group. Start Span/Start Distance and End Span/End Distance drop-down lists - Specify the span(s) and the portion(s) of the span, as measured along the layout line, containing the girders with the webs to be included in the group. The Span in a Group Range cannot cross over into another Section.
Beam: The steel or precast concrete beam (girder) within one or more longitudinal ranges and for one or more composite girders.	Groups Ranges	Position drop-down list - Specify the beams to be included in the group by selecting the girder(s) with a steel or precast concrete frame property assignment . Start Span/Begin Distance and End Span/End Distance drop-down lists - Specify the span(s) and the portion(s) of the span, as measured along the layout line, containing the girders relevant to the beams to be included in the group. The Span in a Group Range cannot cross over into another Section.
Diaphragms/Crossframes: Diaphragms or crossframes at one or more longitudinal locations and for one or more girder spaces.	Groups Ranges	Position drop-down list - Specify the diaphragms or crossframes to be included in the group by selecting the girder used to specify the location of the diaphragm or crossframe. Start Span/Start Distance and End Span/End Distance drop-down lists - Specify the span(s) and the portion(s) of the span, as measured along the layout line, containing the diaphragm/crossframe to be included in the group. The Span in a Group Range cannot cross over into another Section.
Support Structure: One or more bents or abutments, or components thereof.	Support Structure	Support Location drop-down list -Select the support to be included in the group from this drop-down list. The list contains the span ends that have support structures defined in the model, such as grade beams and bents. Component drop-down list - Select the components, associated with the selected Support Location, to be included in the group. The available items "All," "Cap Beam" and "Column i", in which 'i' is the column ID from left to right. Station -- This drop-down list is non-editable and identifies the Support Location as measured along the layout line.
Support Bearings: Individual bearings at one or more bents or abutments.	Support Bearings
Hinges: In-span hinge at one or more longitudinal locations and for one or more girders.		Position drop-down list - Specify the hinges to be included in the group by selecting the girder where the hinge occurs. Start Span/Start Distance and End Span/End Distance drop-down lists - Specify the span(s) and the portion(s) of the span, as measured along the layout line, containing the diaphragm/crossframe to be included in the group. The Span in a Group Range cannot cross over into another Section.
Tendons: One or more individual tendons.	Group Ranges	Tendon Name drop-down list. Select the tendon(s) to be included in the group. Begin Span/Begin Distance and End Span/End Distance drop-down lists - The span(s) and the portion(s) of the span depend on the definition of the tendon and therefore the drop-down lists are not editable.
Mixed: Multiple types of components for one or more longitudinal ranges and the full width of the structure; the Mixed type is compatible with the bridge group definition in previous versions of CSiBridge.	Group Ranges	Position drop-down list - The full width of the span is used in this group definition. Start Span/Start Distance and End Span/End Distance drop-down lists - Specify the span(s) and the portion(s) of the span containing the components to be included in the group. The Span in a Group Range cannot cross over into another Section. Distances are measured along the layout line. Component check boxes. Specify components to be included in the group.

Access the Bridge Construction Group Definition form as follows:

Method 1:

Click the Bridge > Bridge Object > Groups command to display the Define Bridge Groups form. Then do one of the following:
- Click the Add New Bridge Group button.
- Highlight a previously defined Bridge Group in the Bridge Groups list and click the Add Copy of Bridge Group or the Modify/Show Bridge Group button.

Method 2:

Click the Bridge> Bridge Objects > Expand arrow, or on the Bridge Wizard select the Bridge Object Definition item and click the Define/Show Bridge Objects button, to display the Define Bridge Objects form. At least a layout line and a bridge deck section must be defined for this command to be available.
- Alternatively, bypass the Define Bridge Objects form by clicking the Bridge > Bridge Objects > New command and go directly to the Bridge Object Data form identified in the next step.
Click the Add New Bridge Object button, or highlight a previously defined bridge object in the Bridge Objects area of the form and click the Add Copy of Bridge Object or Modify/Show Bridge Object button, to display the Bridge Object Data form.
In the Modify/Show Assignments display list, highlight the Staged Construction Groups item and click the Modify/Show button to display the Define Bridge Groups form.
- Alternatively, on the Bridge Wizard select the Staged Construction Groups item and click the Assign/Show Staged Groups button to access the Define Bridge Groups form.
Use the Add New Bridge Group button, or highlight a previously specified definition and click the Add Copy of Bridge Group or Modify/Show Bridge Group button.