How to Calculate the Section Properties of an Irregular Composite Section using SPC

How to Calculate the Section Properties of an Irregular Composite Section using SPC

1. Introduction

With the Sectional Property Calculator (SPC) v150 or later, section properties of irregular
composite sections can now be calculat ed. These sections and their properties can then be
imported to an analysis model in midas Civil. The cross-sections can also be generated using
planes or lines.

2. Generating Composite Sections with SPC

The following explains how to generate a steel box girder and c oncrete deck using the
Composite Section function in SP C. Please refer to the example .DXF file “Composte.dxf” when
instructed.

2.1 Import an AutoCAD (.DXF) File

With SPC, simple sections can be generated using the program. For complex user-defined
section outlines, SPC provides the option of importing AutoCAD (.DXF) files for direct
calculation of section properties, saving time.

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Figure 1: AutoCAD (.DXF) Import

Execute SPC to activate the Setting window, and set the same unit system as defined in the
CAD file when drawn in AutoCAD. The section outline will not import properly if the SPC
unit system differs from the units used to define the AutoCAD drawn section.

Path: Tools > Setting

Unit System: Force = kN, Length = m

When importing the .DXF file, ensure that the boundary lines for each composite part are
shared. If the boundary lines are not shared for each part, the section properties will be
calculated on the assumption that the parts are not combined.
Path: File > Import > AutoCAD DXF
Import File: Composite.dxf

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 How to Calculate the Section Properties of an Irregular Composite Section using SPC

2.2 Assign Line Widths

Define the t hickness of t he cross-sections for the steel box girders and stringer. For section
outlines defined with thicknesses, the Line Type option must be selected. The section
properties of these components will be calculated based on these thicknesses .

Path: Model > Curve > Change Width

Procedure:
① Check on Width.
② Select the steel box girders and stringer by clicking selecting each line one by one with
left [Ctrl] key pressed. (Refer to the Figure below for Red Lines)
③ Enter “0.02” for the Width, then click Apply.

Figure 2: Defining the Thicknesses for the Steel Box Girder and Stringer

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2.3 Define Materials

Enter the material properties of the composite section.

Path: Model > Material

Material Properties: Add
① Steel (S450)
2
Modulus of Elasticity = 210,000,000 kN/m
Poisson’s Ratio = 0.3
3
Density = 76.98 kN/m
② Concrete (C25/30)
2
Modulus of Elasticity = 31,475,000 kN/m
Poisson’s Ratio = 0.2
3
Density = 23.54 kN/m

Figure 3: Define Material Properties

2.4 Generate the Composite Section

Indicate the number of composite parts that compose the composite section and set the
Base Material to find the final composite section properties of the total composite section.
The Base Material affects the sectional points of interest for reviewing stress results, as well
as the final section properties of the total composite section. For more details, refer to
section 2.8.

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 How to Calculate the Section Properties of an Irregular Composite Section using SPC

Path: Model > Section > Composite Section > Generate

Name: Composite_Box
N(Parts) [1<N<4]: 2
Base Material: S450

Figure 4: Generate Composite Section

2.5 Assign Composite Parts: Type and Name

Assign the type for each composite part and the name of the cross-section.

Path: Model > Composite Section > Add Part

Procedure:
① Enter “1” for Part ID
② Enter “Box” for the Part Name and select “Line” for Part Type.
③ Select “S450” for the Part Material.
④ Select the steel box girders and stringer as shown in Figure 5 and click Apply.
⑤ Repeat steps with Part ID: 2, Part Name: Deck, Part Type: Plane, Part Material: C25/30.

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Figure 5: Assigning the Part Type and Name of the Steel Box Girders and Stringer

Figure 6: Successful Assignment of the Part Type and Name

2.6 Calculate the Section Properties of the Composite Section

After assigning the composite parts wit h section types and names , calculate the section
properties of t he composite section. Define the Mesh Size, select the complete composite
section, as shown in Figure 7, then click Apply. Using a finer mesh density will produce a
slightly more accurate result. For this example, set the Mesh Size as 1.

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 How to Calculate the Section Properties of an Irregular Composite Section using SPC

Path: Property > Calculate Composite Property

Figure 7: Selecting the Complete Composite Section

To check the calculated the composite parts and total composite section properties:

Path: Property > Composite Property Table

Parts List

Cross-Section Properties
- Area (of the total composite section)
- Effective Shear Area (Sax , Say)
- Second Moment (Ixx, Iyy, Ixy)
- Torsion Constant (J)
- Distance between the center and the outermost parts
( (+)Cx, (-)Cx, (+)Cy, (-)Cy )

Figure 8: Section Properties for the Steel Box Girders and Stringer

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Figure 9: Deck and Composite Section Properties

Area, Ixx and Iyy are calculated using generally known formulas. However, SAx, SAy, and J
are calculated using finite element methods built in the software.

2.7 Export the Composite Section to midas Civil

Export the composite section shape and calculated properties .

Path: Model > Section > Composite Section > Export

Procedure:
① Assign a File Name
② Select the complete composite section, then click Apply.

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Figure 10: Exporting the Composite Section

2.8 Opening the Composite Section in midas Civil

Open the exported .SEC file using the Composite-General section in midas Civil. The
section properties of the cross-section, already calculated from SPC, is used in Civil to
calculate the stress points of interest. The stress points, Cym, Cyp, Czm, and Czp are
determined for t he cross-section based on the Base Material that was selected in SPC.
Figure 11 shows the calculated stress points based on S450 as the Base Material.

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Path: Properties > Section Properties > Double-click on the “Composite” item

Figure 11: Composite-General

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