Dimensions for Bridge Lab

Question:

“If I'm looking at the dimensions given directly about the 85' marker, it would appear that these are not for the top chord since there is no cover plate dimension. Am I supposed to then pick set of top chord dimensions nearby - such as between U3-L4 or U5-L6? Also, for the image, will it end up looking like the example on the blog (the cross-sectional view of the top chord), except with different dimensions?”

Response:

The Tacony (PA) and Palmyra (NJ) spans are symmetrical.  You can therefore look, as you suggest, at the U5-6 information to determine the top chord.
Yes that section of the chord will look like the cross section that I posted.

10/26/2012 Correction on the location reference.  85' should put you between U4-U5.  The member section information for this is the different than for what I sepcified above originally for U5-U6.  I am asking the graders to accept either sets of information so that you are not penalized.