This session focuses on modeling and analyzing a steel box girder bridge constructed using the Incremental Launching Method (ILM). Participants will learn how to simulate construction stages, group loads and boundaries, and evaluate structural behavior during launching. This is especially valuable for engineers involved in long-span bridges or working with staged construction methods.
📋 Phases of the Session:
1. Project Introduction & Model Setup
2. Material & Section Definitions
3. ILM Construction Stage Simulation
4. Load Grouping and Application
5. Buckling and Stress Analysis
6. Summary & Q&A
🛠 Key Civil NX Features Covered
• ILM Wizard for Construction Stage Modeling
• Grouped Definition of Load, Boundary, Structure Elements
• Steel Box Girder Simulation
• Buckling Analysis of Stiffened Plates
• Linear & Planar Element Integration
🎯 3 Takeaways for Attendees
1. Learn how to model and analyze construction stages for ILM bridges
2. Understand grouping techniques for load, boundary, and construction sequences
3. Discover how Civil NX supports staged analysis and buckling evaluation for long-span bridges
Lazar PavicSenior Bridge Engineer, POWERCHINA International Group Ltd
He has over 30 years of experience in the construction of infrastructure projects, including bridges and industry projects. He specializes in 3D modelling and graphics in construction,. He has a master's degree from the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the University of Belgrade. In the last 15 years was a construction manager on the 5 biggest steel bridge projects in Serbia.
Q. Where can I find a presentation file for the session?
A. In this session, a presentation file isn't provided.
Q. Could you explain the basic measurements of the bridge?
A. The bridge is a continuous girder with spans of 90m + 150m + 90m. It features a trapezoidal box section with a depth of 5m, a top flange of 9m, plus two cantilevers of 1.5m each, and a lower flange of 7m.
Q. Could you briefly explain how the construction stage is defined and how the launching process works?
A. All supports and links (boundary conditions) are defined at every node along the bridge axis (every 7.5m). For each construction stage, specific boundary groups are activated depending on which part of the bridge structure passes over sliding bearings at the assembly yard, piers, and temporary piers. Each cycle includes one assembly stage where 2 additional segments of 15m (totaling 30m) are added at the assembly yard, followed by 4 launching stages, each 7.5m, resulting in a total launch of 30m per cycle.