Structural engineering for bridges

[alexanderkjellgren]

I would like to implement a structural analysis for bridges with mfem.

In order to to do this properly I would need Mindlin-Reissner shell elements (2D elements in 3D space) and Timoshenko beam elements (1D elements in 3D space). As far as I have understood I would have to implement these element types myself in mfem. Is this somewhat easy to do and could someone point me in the right direction?

Further more, I would also need influence surface/lines in order to evaluate moving live loading of the bridge (traffic). How should I approach this?

Thanks!