RM Bridge --

Incorrect Mass Internal Calculation, and Ultimate Moment Capacity Issue

I am currently working on a model for the US17 Talmadge Bridge cable replacement and profile raise maintenance project. Two issues have come up that I would like to make you aware of and get your input on. One of these seems to be a somewhat significant error that should corrected (#1 below).

1. When applying mass using self weight (load type G or GM), the mass and mass moment of inertia is calculated by RM internally based on the cross section. When using the elemK command to reduce the flexural stiffness, and when selecting to reduce section property stiffnesses to reflect shear lag, the mass moment of inertia values are also reduced. I believe this is a result of the software internally calculating the polar moment of inertia by adding together the two directions of flexural moment of inertia and incorrectly using the reduced flexural moment of inertia. However, changing the stiffness should not simultaneously change the mass of the cross section. Is there a way to us the correct full mass with these load types while simultaneously reducing the stiffness? If not, I would like to suggest this as a high priority update.