The number of points to define the section in I-end and J-end of the taper section to be generated has to be the same.

Since a Composite T (say end I of taper section) will have lesser defining points ( O ) as compared to Composite I section (end J ), the tapered element could not be generated. However an as an alternative, we could define T section with so many points as that of I section and generate the tapering.

Under [Properties > Section Properties, click Add > Composite tab > Composite I] option from the drop-down menu, enter the data as per the guide diagram shown below and generate the required I section.


To generate a composite T section, using the composite I girder option, enter the BL1 and BR1 values slightly lesser (say, 0.5mm lesser) than the BL4 and BR4 values. By doing so, the additional points required would have been entered, still retaining the sectional properties of a T section. By this way, the tapering of the section could be accomplished. Once the two sections are generated, the tapered section can now be made using these two section properties.


To generate such a tapered section, follow the steps below in sequence: Click on [Properties > Section Properties > Add]


1. Click on Tapered
2. Select Composite PSC-I
3. Enter Name
4. Enter basic data like slab width, thickness, etc, and import the “Size-I” and “Size-J” sections.
  These would be the sections that are generated using the Composite I girder option.
5. Enter material data for equivalent section property calculations
6. Select the type of variation (Linear, Parabolic, or Cubic)
7. Modify the offset as required
8. Click OK

From Main Menu select [View > Display Option]
1. Thickness of the plate element


2.To distinguish plate elements from beam elements
 

3. To show the outline of the Inactive elements

 

4. Display only to certain parts
If you enable the Display by Group option in the Display, only the information of the selected group is displayed. In the figure below on left, the entire " live load surcharge" is displayed, while in the figure further below only a part of the upper slab loads as defined in a group is displayed. Display by Group options can be applied to loads as well as all display information that can be expressed in midas Civil.



5. Different colored elements depending on the thickness

The difference between lane element and cross beam element for vehicular load distribution is in considering the transverse rigidity of the system and the kind of model generated (line, plate, or grillage model). In case, the structure is modeled as a line element and is assigned whole transverse cross-sectional property, lane element for vehicular load distribution option is used. For grillage models, live load distribution occurs as per the rigidity of transverse members (slab/diaphragm), hence the cross beam method for vehicular load distribution is used.

In the cross beam method, a cross-beam structure group (transverse elements group) has to be defined and selected for transverse distribution of vehicular load as shown.

These types of warnings during analysis can be avoided by altering the default convergence criteria from Main Control Data as shown below.  From Main Menu select [Analysis > Main Control Data]

The number of iterations for load case convergence can be increased or convergence tolerance can be altered if load cases do not converge.