Template - Suspension Bridge

Access the Suspension Bridge form as follows:

Click the File menu > New Model command to display the New Model form.
Set the Units to Metric or English using the Initialize Model from Defaults with Units drop-down list or the Initialize from Existing Model option.
Click the Cable Bridges button.

Use the Suspension Bridge form to specify the following items by typing directly in the edit boxes or checking or unchecking the check boxes. A drawing of the bridge is shown in the small display box.

Note: Click the Parametric Definition button to display a drawing illustrating the following parameters.

Suspension Bridge Dimensions

Left Span Length, L1 edit box. Specify the span on the left end of the bridge.
Number of Divisions, N1 edit box. Specify the number of divisions in the left bridge span.
Middle Span Length, L2 edit box. Specify the length of the middle span of the bridge.
Number of Divisions, N2 edit box. Specify the number of divisions in the middle span of the bridge span.
Right Span Length, L3 edit box. Specify the length of the right end of the bridge.
Number of Divisions, N3 edit box. Specify the number of divisions in the right bridge span.
Deck Width, W edit box. Specify the width of the deck.
Minimum Middle Sag, S edit box. Specify the minimum sag in the middle of the bridge.
Column Height, H1 edit box. Specify the height of the column below the bridge span.
Column Height, H2 edit box. Specify the height of the column above the bridge span.

Locate Origin button. Click this button to display the Coord System Location and Orientation form. Use the form to specify the location of the origin for the model.
Section Properties

Beams, Columns, Cables, and Areas drop-down lists. SAP2000 will suggest section properties for the beams, columns, cables, and areas in these drop-down lists. The section properties will apply to the entire lengths of the beams, columns and cables and to all of the areas.

TIP: Click the + (plus) symbol next to the drop-down lists to access the Frame Properties form and the Area Sections form; use those forms to add, modify or delete a frame section definition or an area section definition. The Assign menu > Frame > Frame Sections command, the Assign menu > Cable > Cable Sections command and the Assign menu > Areas > Area Sections command can be used to change the section properties later, if needed.

Restraints check box. When this check box is checked, SAP2000 will assign default restraints to each point at the base of the model.
Gridlines check box. When this check box is checked, the model will display with grid lines when the OK button is clicked. Uncheck this check box to turn off the grid lines. The View menu > Show Grids command also can be used to turn the grid lines on or off after the model has been initiated.