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Structural connections are established between lane-load points and structural objects such that vehicle live load may transfer to the superstructure. These structural connections, while shown graphically, are not rigid members, but rather are imaginary lines used to redistribute loading according to tributary geometry. Structural connections are made between lane-load points and two frame objects by projecting perpendicular from reference lines. A cantilever connection is made to a single frame object if only one frame is available. Please see the Influence-based moving-load analysis implementation article for an explanation of how lane-load points and structural connections enable moving-load analysis.
Reviewing structural connections
Users may select Display > Show Lanes > Show Points and Connections to review load redistribution from lane-load points to the superstructure, as shown in Figure 1:
Figure 1 - Lane-load point structural connection
Controlling lane-to-object connections
CSI Software automatically selects and loads structural objects when connecting lane-load points to the superstructure. Users should review these connections. If a configuration is not desired, controls are available to manually edit the model. On the Bridge Lane Data menu, users may set the Objects Loaded By Lane parameter to subject certain structural objects to lane loading.
Controlling lane-to-bridge object connections
Automatic lane-to-object connections will only be made to frame and shell objects within larger parametric bridge objects when the bridge object shares the same layout line as the lane. However, users may establish the proper load path by manually editing the object group which is subjected to lane loading.
