How can we simulate soil springs in RM Bridge?

One possible solution is to use Compression-Only Springs connected to the required support nodes.

In RM Bridge \ Analyzer \ Structure \ Elements \ Element Types and Nodes the usual Spring connections to the ground can be modified when the user selects the Edit button.

After hitting the arrow, users can select the Compression-Only Spring inside the Non-linear springs options of the list-down menu at the Element Type \ Type, as shown in the image below.

The user must also select the Non-linear springs option in the Recalculation to activate the Non-linear Analysis inside the Basic Settings.

The user can consult and use the created FAQ \ DEMO Example: Compression-Only Spring as a reference.

In this example, one simple regular two-span continuous beam has additional Compression-Only Springs as internal supports for both spans.

It's also loaded vertically, but mostly only on one span side: the left and only one-tenth at the left of the right span, as illustrated below.

In the results, at the vertical shear, we can clearly see the action of the Compression-Only Springs in the left span and until the last Compression-Only Spring, already in the begining of the right span. We can verify that the behavior is consistent with a non-linear spring of the type compression-only because once there is no compression load they become as if they were inactive.

Moreover, for vertical displacements, we can see the deformation shape and compare it to a linear solution or when there are no compression-only springs.