BAG Generator - Pier/Column Type

Access the Pier/Column Type form as follows:

Click the File menu > New Model command to display the New Model form.
Set the appropriate Units using the Initialize Model from Defaults with Units drop-down list or the Initialize from Existing Model option.
Click the Caltrans-BAG template button to display the BAG-Bridge Analysis Generator form.
Click the File menu > New Model or File menu > Open command to begin a new bridge model or open an existing one.
Click the Define menu > Columns command or the Define Columns button .

Use the Pier/Column Type form to describe the column properties. Each column is described by one or more segments extending along the length if the column. Non-prismatic columns are modeled using a series of prismatic segments. One line is required for each column type or segment. A total of six panels may be used to describe the input.

TIP: After using the Control Data, Geometry Data, Spans, Bents, and Pier/Column Type forms to define the bridge model, use the Plan , Elevation , , and 3-D View buttons to view the model. The File menu > Export Model to SAP command or Export to SAP button can be used to display the model in SAP2000.

Column Type. Specify the column type number. A maximum of 10 types (0-9) are permitted for a bridge. The column types are numbered 0 through 9 and must be identical for all segments of each column.
Column Segment No. Segment numbers must be numbered sequentially, starting with number 1 at the bottom of the column.
Column Segment Length (ft.). The segment length is not required for a single-segment column. Only one zero length segment (i.e., blank) is permitted for a non-prismatic column. The zero length segment will be used to adjust the overall column length to conform to the elevations specified on the Pier Bent Data forms. If no zero length segment is specified or if the total length of the segments is less than the column length, the first segment at the bottom of the column will be adjusted. The length of all other segments must be specified.
Column X Section Areas. Specify the cross-sectional area (ft2) of each prismatic segment for each column type.
Longitudinal (lz), Transverse (ly), Torsional (lx) Moment of Inertia. Specify the moments of inertias (ft4) of each prismatic segment for each column type. These are referenced relative to the plane of the bent.

Note: The 'Column Type' number must correspond to the 'Column Type' number specified for recall on the Pier Bent Data form. These numbers can vary from 0 to 9 and only one column type is permitted in any one bent. All described column types do not need to be recalled by the bent data.