Variation Definition Form

Access the Variation Definition form, with the Bridge Modeler license enabled, as follows:

Method 1

Click the Bridge menu > Parametric Variations command, or on the Bridge Wizard form select the Parametric Variation item and click the Define/Show Variations button, to display the Define Parametric Variations form.
Click the Add New Variation button or highlight a previously defined variation definition and click the Add Copy of Variation or Modify/Show Variation button.

Method 2

Click the Bridge menu > Bridge Objects command, 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.
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.
Click the Modify/Show Spans button to display the Bridge Object Span Definition form.
In the spreadsheet area, highlight the variation to be reviewed/changed and click the Modify/Show Section Variation Along Selected Span button to display the Bridge Section Variation Definition form.
Click the Define/Show Variations button to display the Define Parametric Variations form.
Click the Add New Variation button or highlight a previously defined variation definition and click the Add Copy of Variation or Modify/Show Variation button.

Use the Variation Definition form to specify a variation for all or part of the bridge alignment and slope.

Variation Name edit box. Use the default or specify a new name for the variation definition.
Units drop-down list. Use the displayed units or select new units from the drop-down list.
Point ID display box. The point ID is the label used to identify the points defining the parametric variation. The ID is program-assigned and sequentially numbered.
Quick Start button. Use this button to access the Parametric Variations Quick Start form. Use the form to specify a parametric variation based on template alignments. After a selection has been made and the OK button has been clicked on the Parametric Variations Quick Start form, the selected variation alignment will transfer automatically from the Quick Start form to this form (the Variation Definition form).
Segment Type and Point Type drop-down list. Choose an option from the drop-down list to specify the variation/change in bridge alignment or slope and the location of the change (e.g., an intermediate point, end point).
Distance edit box. Specify the distance over which the variation is being specified.
Dim Change edit box. Specify the dimension for the variation. That is, the difference between the existing alignment and the alignment being specified.
Slope edit box. This edit box is available when one of the parabolic segment types has been selected in the Segment Type and Point Type drop-down list. Specify the changes in slope of the segment being specified.

When a selection has been made in the Segment Type and Point Type drop-down list and the appropriate data has been entered in the Distance, Dim Change, and when appropriate, the Slope edit boxes, use the Insert Above, Insert Below, Modify, or Delete buttons to add a new variation definition or modify or delete a previously specified variation definition.

Delete All button. Click the Delete All button to delete all entries except the defaults; SAP2000 will display a message box asking for confirmation that all entries are to be deleted.
Variation Sketch display area. A sketch of the variation displays in this area based on the selection made on the form.

Use Equal Horizontal and Vertical Scales in Sketch check box. When this check box is checked, SAP2000 will display the sketch "to scale" with respect to the horizontal and vertical dimensions. When it is unchecked, the display will more readily illustrate the direction of the variation, disregarding the relative proportionality of the dimensions.
Slide Bar and Distance, Dim Change, and Slope display boxes. As the slide bar beneath the display area is moved, the location of the cursor along the variation displays in the Distance display box. The difference between the existing alignment and the alignment being specified displays in the Dim Change display box. The slope of the variation displays in the Slope display box.

Switch Sign of All Dim Change button. Use this button to quickly change the specified dimensions of change from positive to negative or vise versa. The display area will automatically refresh to show the change in sign.