Copy the numbers from the highway drawing. Everything else is derived and checked against the policy — warnings never block.
Policy & class
Speed & superelevation
Control line & section
The profile grade line (PGL) carries the profile elevation; the pavement follows the cross slopes from there. Positive offsets are to the left of increasing station.
Stationing & coordinates
Derived limits for this speed
Plan · horizontal alignment
PI table: coordinates, radius and spiral length. Stations, tangents, spiral shift and ereq are derived. Drag to pan, wheel to zoom. Hover to probe a station; click to lock it; ← → step 1 m (Shift 10 m); space plays.
PI
N
E
R m
Ls m
e %
Δ
T
L
TS/BC
ST/EC
ereq
Lr
Paste N/E from the drawing. R blank = angle point.
Profile · vertical alignment
PVI table: station, elevation and curve length. K, PVC/PVT and the high/low point are derived; Lmin comes from the policy K-values.
PVI
Station m
Elev m
L m
gin %
gout %
A %
K
Kmin
PVC
PVT
Hi/Lo
Vertical scale auto-fits; the bar below is the superelevation diagram.
Site & environment
Where the bridge stands: temperature range, humidity, seismic spectrum by province · amphoe or AASHTO / user curve, site class, exposure, wind and flood. Step 5 stays structural (spans, supports, approaches); the analysis stage reads these for temperature, seismic, wind and scour cases.
1Location, soil & exposure
2Temperature
Temperature gradient vertical · positive (sun on the deck) and negative
3Flooding & scour
HWL and scour level per support are typed in the configuration table on step 5; freeboard and the scour check read them.
4Seismic
Spans & supports
Define span types and support types once, then assemble the bridge in the configuration table: each span adopts a span type, each support a support type with its joint / bearing choice. Elevation, plan and 3D follow the table.
Bridge on the alignment
Span types superstructure library
MaterialThickness mUnit weight kN/m³ · blank = by material
Depth profilespans beyond 50 m usually haunchedDepth at mid-span mSoffit shapeHaunch exponent 2 = parabola · 1.8 as the tables
MaterialConstruction methodCells blank = autoWeb thickness m · stWeb angle ° from vertical · blank = from bottom widthTop slab m · ttTop slab at web m · tt2 · blank = tt + filletTop fillet width m · inside cornerTop fillet height mBottom fillet mBottom width m · bb · blank = autoBottom slab m · bt at mid-spanBottom slab at pier m · bt2Cantilever width m · csw · blank = autoCantilever tip m · ewCantilever root m · at the webCantilever haunch width m · blank = autoSection
U bottom width m · sheet 2.60U web thickness mDeck slab on U m · + 0.05 asphaltLink slab thickness m · over continuous piersLink slab debond m each side of pier CL
Standard sheet NP1-16 … NP2-30Girder endDeck slab on girder m · sheet 0.20Girders per span blank = standard tableGirder spacing m · blank = width / nGirder ends at skewEnd gap at joint m from support CLEnd gap continuous mBearing from support CL mFixed bearing end alternate per span
Support types pier & abutment library
field hintsPT1pier name
ADeck arrangement single or divided highway · joint and bearing line at this support
Deck arrangement at this support divided highwayJoint & bearing (default for this type)Expansion joint type at this supportJoint gap at installation m · pounding when it closesJoint model from the library (7 · D) · blank = formulation by the joint type
BBearing configuration type, positions, offsets, rotation, pad size and the spring model of each bearing · click a bearing in the top view · models come from the library in 7 · D
Top view · bearings on the pier pier axis (red) · bridge CL (blue) · girder lines · every bearing with Δs from the pier axis and u from the CL · left- or right-click a bearing to set its type, spring model, pad, offsets, rotation, uplift, restrainer and buffer
Bearing type default for every bearing of this support type · a single bearing: click it in the top viewBearing model library (7 · D) · blank = the formulation of the bearing type with its defaultsUplift hold-down on every bearing uplift restraint on all bearings advanced — per-end arrangement, orientation on curves, fixed point, pad size the usual way is to click a bearing in the top view and change its type, offsets or rotation there
Bearings per girder end n · spacing m across the girder · blank = auto (1 per girder, 2 per box web line)Bearing orientation curved bridges · axis of free movementFixed point every bearing's free axis points at itE, N m · same origin as the alignmentSupportBearing arrangement per girder end blank = every bearing at the girder line with the type's model · add rows for several bearings per end, each with its offset across the girder (m, + left), an optional type and upliftRestrainers at the joint tension-only cable / rod across the gap · drawn in the top view onRestrainer positions blank = one set per girder line · add rows to place cables at offsets from the bridge CL (m, + left), e.g. beside chosen bearingsSeismic buffers compression-only stopper between girder end and seat · drawn in the top view onBuffer positions blank = one pair per girder line · add rows: offset from the bridge CL (m, + left) and sidePad L × W m · L along the bridge · blank = span table · per bearing: click it in the top viewRubber layers n × t mm · G MPa · used when no library model is assignedIsolator Keff · ξ kN/m · equivalent damping ratioIsolator bilinear Kinitial kN/m · Qd kN · blank = linear onlyBuffer k · gap kN/m · m before contact · used when no library model is assignedRestrainer k · gap kN/m · m of slack before it engages · used when no library model is assigned
CPier type · pier library standard sheets now, SYSectionHub later · orientation · cross beam · half-joint ledges · bracing · fixity
Pier library pick a standard type, give the span, deck width and seismic level, then Apply — the pier drawing, plan and 3-D update at once · user types from SYSectionHub later
Standard typeSpan mDeck width mSeismic level
Pier typeAbutment typePier orientation ° skew of the support line · default for this type · the configuration table overrides per supportColumns per bentColumn shapeDiameter D mbL (longitudinal) mbT (transverse) mColumn spacing m c/c · blank = spread over the cross beamCross beam depth mCross beam width m · blank = column + 0.40Cap depth at the tip m · hammerhead / steel head taper · blank = no taperPipe wall thickness m · steel column (sheets give Ø only)Cross beam shape seats follow each span's soffit · bearing heightSeat adjustment behind · ahead m · raises the bearing seat (pedestal) on that sideStem width m · blank = column + 0.40Stem top elevation m · blank = top of the dap notch (shallower span)Ledge width behind · ahead mLedge depth behind · ahead m · dledge per side; the soffit is flat at the deeper oneBracing beams between columns · 0 = noneBracing spacing m below the cross-beam soffit · blank = equalBracing elevations m below soffit, comma list · overridesBracing shapeBracing b × h mBracing Ø mFixity · longitudinalFixity · transverse
DFoundation pile cap or spread footing · piles · cap orientation
FoundationEmbedment below ground mDepth to fixity (piles) mPile length mPile type · sizePiles along × across across blank = fill the capPile spacing · edge m · blank = 3 D · 0.5 D + 0.2Cap thickness m · blank = 1.2 D + 0.4Cap layoutCap orientation skew / curve
Joint + bearings = simply supported / end of a unit · bearings only = continuous deck · integral = monolithic moment frame (no joint, no bearings). Override per support in the table. Lu = column top → min(footing top, scour level) − depth to fixity; r = D/4 or 0.30·b; KL/r < 22 short · 22–100 magnify · > 100 refined (AASHTO LRFD 5.6.4.3).
EExpansion joints create the joints of the bridge once — number, name, type, total movement, installation gap, minimum gap — then pick them per support in the configuration table below · the nonlinear model comes from the library in 7 · D
New joint show the joint types explained
EJ No.
Name
Type
Total movement MR
Installation gap
Min gap
Tinst
Model (7 · D)
Used at
Total movement, installation gap and minimum gap are re-checked after the analysis against the TU / TG cases of the site temperature range; the calculation report and the joint drawing restate them with the installation temperature.
FApproach transitions
Start · behind A1
Transition structure
Transition length mUnder the transition
Panel mSlab mCol. w mCol. t mBay m
pile bearing unit (piled approach)
RuleAcross mAlong m1st L mExtra Lexm
Rows / step− per step mMin L m
End · behind A2
Transition structure
Transition length mUnder the transition
Panel mSlab mCol. w mCol. t mBay m
pile bearing unit (piled approach)
RuleAcross mAlong m1st L mExtra Lexm
Rows / step− per step mMin L m
Bearing unit — standard sheet: rows every 2.00 m in pairs, the first pair as long as the abutment piles (2 m classes), each next pair 2 m shorter down to 4 m; piles across at 2.00 m max with 0.35 m edges; LB = 2(n − 1) + 3 m; Lex adds rows of 4 m piles for very soft clay; skewed abutments get the extra rows parallel to the abutment. Pile lengths will come from SY Pile / SY Pave once the soil profile is linked.
Bridge configuration & components
Station
Skew °
Bearing lines · joint
Deck
Soffit
Cap top
Ground m
HWL m
Scour m
Footing
H pier
Lu
KL/r L
KL/r T
Freeboard
Terrain & imports
Bring in the survey surface (LandXML from Civil 3D, DXF 3DFACE / contours / points, CSV or PNEZD, ESRI grid) or adopt a highway alignment from LandXML. The ground line appears on the profile and step 5 reads pier heights from it.
Import a file
Drop a file here or click to choose .xml (LandXML) · .dxf (ASCII) · .csv / .txt · .asc
Surface layer
Alignment in file
Active surface
show TIN on plan
Saved surfaces on this bridge
Surfaces are thinned to 40 000 points before upload (the API keeps up to 120 000). Coordinates must be in the alignment's system (step 1); "Covers alignment" tells you when they are not.
Analysis workspace
Modules M → I, left to right like a bridge-analysis package: create the FE model from the parametric bridge, review materials, sections, tendons, bearings and groups, define loads and stages, run, read the results. Everything is generated from steps 1–6 and editable here.
M · Model
Model settings discretisation · mass
Deck element m · max lengthColumn element mPile element mCross membersMass sourceMass directions X Y ZBarrier load toWearing load towearing surface and barriers come from the span type (step 5) → DW; f′c and E from module A; extra SDL / overload / overrides in module FFoundation modelcap → pile heads by rigid links · spring values: default until SY Pile supplies themSoil khkN/m³ · + nh·zTip spring kvkN/m per pile
no model yet
Model check
Create the model to run the check.
Materials generated from the span / support types · edit E, γ, f′c · time-dependent law
Name
Type
E MPa
ν
G MPa
γ kN/m³
f′c / fy / fpu MPa
α 1/°C ×10⁻⁶
Time-dependent
Curves
Time-dependent curves
User table time (days; hours for relaxation), value · one pair per line · blank = code curve log time axis
creep / shrinkage per AASHTO LRFD 5.4.2.3 by default (CEB-FIP 90 · MC2010 · ACI 209 · user) with RH from the site card — used by the stage run (B2b)
Sections generated from the span / support types · A, I, J per section · composite stages · edit, duplicate, adopt, details
Section
A m²
Iy m⁴
Iz m⁴
J m⁴
Material
Stages
Used by
Edit section
NameMaterialStage edited composite = in service
A m²Iym⁴ · strong axisIzm⁴J m⁴ycm · top fibre to centroid
edits are kept with the alignment and re-applied whenever the model is created again
Adopt section
ForWhich
the members switch to this section (stiffness and self-weight); the assignment is kept and re-applied on Create FE Model
Section
Sections come from the span types (step 5: sheet, parametric box, U, press-brake tub, steel) and the support types; the bare / composite pair is what a stage activates. Local axes: x along the member, y up (strong axis Iy bends about z … shown in Details), z transverse.
Tendons & 3-D layout B2b · C1 · tendon objects · profile along the assigned span or group · cover, clash and radius checks by the corrosion zone of step 4 · jacking force with friction and anchorage set
New show in 3-D
No.
Name
Kind
Strand
Duct
System
Jacking
Object · line
Length
Status
PPrestressing design criteria read by the stage run and the design check (B2b / B2e)
Design basisCover standard minimum cover to the duct by the exposure of step 4Friction μ · wobble k rad⁻¹ · m⁻¹ · AASHTO Table 5.9.3.2.2b-1 (galvanised duct 0.15–0.25 · 0.00066)Anchorage set mm · 6 (strand wedges) · 3 (bars)Max aggregate mm · duct spacing rule
The stage run (B2b) applies the tendons at their stage with friction, anchorage set, elastic shortening, creep, shrinkage and relaxation from module A; after a linear run "suggest from the dead-load moment" reshapes the profile inside the cover envelope. The nonlinear option runs the GirderNL fibre-section engine over the members (compute class B — credits as in the price list).
Springs, bearings, joints & links from the support types · rev 22–23 bearing chain
Element
Count
kx
ky
kz
krx
kry
krz
Note
LBearing & accessory library named spring / mechanical models of bearings, restrainers, seismic buffers and expansion joints · create once, assign in step 5 (bearing: click it in the top view · restrainers, buffers: their rows in B · joint: A)
Newno models yet — create one, or open a bearing in step 5 · B and choose "new model…"
ID
Name
Kind
Formulation
Key values
Used by
show every bearing, restrainer, buffer and joint of the FE model with the model it resolved to
Name
Kind
Support · location
Model
Key values
Source
Create the model (module M) first.
Every element without an assigned model runs with the default formulation of its type (elastomeric pad by G·A/tr, pot bearings, cable, collision buffer, strip seal…) · the nonlinear laws (gap, friction, bilinear isolator) are carried into the B2c / B2e runs.
Case ID · nameClassKindValue kN/m · or node, F… (kN, kN·m)Spans numbers, comma · blank = allLines girder numbers · blank = all
DC and DW are automatic (self-weight; wearing surface + barriers from the span type, split per line by the Model settings); user cases run as static cases in module H and get a column in the combinations
Load combinations AASHTO LRFD Table 3.4.1-1 · γp max / min · editable
Special vehicles · super loads hydraulic modular trailers · editable axle lines · placed as static cases now, moved by the influence-line run in B2b
VehicleNameAxle lines one per line: x m from the front, P t, files, width mPosition · front axle at station m · comma list = one case per positionTransverse offset · direction · IM m (+ left) · +1 ahead / −1 back · dynamic allowance
each axle line is shared by the deck lines within the vehicle width at its offset and lumped to the nodes on either side of its station; the influence-line envelope (all positions, lanes, multiple presence) comes with B2b
Analysis & temperature cases a load case with its own analysis type, or a TU / TG temperature case · each can be activated at any step of any stage (module G)
NameTypeBase loads / mass cases combined into this analysis · commaParameters type-specific · free text now, fields per type with the analysis
each analysis case is also a load case in the combinations (its own column) and an event a stage step can activate — stability / buckling, seismic or a live-load check on the partially built structure at that step
ID
Name
Analysis
Base loads
Parameters
Class
Used in stages
the results module reports reactions and deflections per combination; live load, temperature, wind, EQ, EH / WA / LS join the table as their analyses ship
Construction stages & equipment method template → default sequence · Gantt · time-dependent run in B2b
Construction methodDays per span / segment cycleSubstructure lead days before span 1Long-term step yearsTemperature · humidity °C · %
edit names, days and the groups per stage; tendon stress / slacken and weight-only activation come with B2b
Stages carry the time effect (age, creep / shrinkage / relaxation between their construction days); steps inside a stage are instantaneous — no time effect between them. A step activates groups / supports / tendons, applies a load, or runs an analysis event (an analysis case from module F: buckling, P-Δ, moving load, spectrum, time history) on the structure as built at that step.
#
Stage
Day
Duration
Activate groups
Supports
Equipment / loads
Method
Steps · events
Add a step to stageStep kindCase / description
steps run in order inside their stage; an analysis event uses the stage's stressed / deformed state as its starting point
Construction equipment templates · scaled to the span weight · load cases at the supports · shown in the 3-D
TemplateGantry weight t · blank = templateApply to spans numbers, comma · blank = every span reverse the horizontal forces and moments (note 4 of the sheet)Shoring spacing mShoring stiffness kN/m per support
Leg
On the support
FV t
FL t
FT t
ML t·m
MT t·m
reactions are scaled by (gantry + span weight) / (gantry + reference span weight) — the span weight comes from the box section (constant or varying depth) between the piers; outside the template range the case is flagged as preliminary; edit the leg values, the spans and the directions as needed
Case
Span m
Span weight t
Scale
Legs · scaled reactions (t · t·m)
Warnings
Construction stage analysis option how the stages above are run · read by the stage run and the design checks · summarised in H
Analysis B2a · linear static + eigenvalue · included compute
Class i · Full structure stagethe completed bridge · pick the analyses to perform
Which analysis do I need?
· Crack, yield or ductility check → a material nonlinear choice (MCFT fibre model: nonlinear static, or with geometric nonlinearity; nonlinear time history for seismic ductility).
· Stability / unstable-state check → construction stage (class ii), nonlinear geometric analysis or the buckling load (linear buckling first, nonlinear buckling when the material yields before the geometric limit).
· Preliminary tendon or section sizing → linear elastic, or construction stage with geometric nonlinearity when the cantilever / launching deflections matter.
· FE model updating / measured frequencies → linear eigenvalue (elastic stiffness) or the nonlinear eigenvalue on the stressed state (tick Eigenvalue with a nonlinear or stage choice).
· Eigenvalue · mode shapes can be added to any static, nonlinear or stage choice; the moving-load analysis does not need it, and the dynamic analyses (spectrum, time history) run it themselves.
Eigenvalue · modes mass · periods · mode shapes (needed by the dynamic analyses)run on
Class ii · Construction structure stageneeds the stages of G · the stage run itself plus every analysis requested by a load / analysis case at a stage or step — performed on the deformed, stressed state of the structure at that stage or step
Analysis set everything this run will perform · class i from the picks above · class ii from G and the stage steps · compute class and credits
SolverThreads parallel solversIteration limit · displacement tol · force tol quick model integrity check before the run priority scheduler (class C runs) — extra credits
ShowScale × · blank = auto undeformed ghost animate
Case
Total load kN
ΣR kN
Max δz mm
at node
Span
δz DC mm
δz DW mm
δz DC+DW mm
L/δ
Support
Rx kN
Ry kN
Rz DC kN
Rz DW kN
Mode
f Hz
T s
mass X
mass Y
mass Z
Per combination linear superposition of the case results
Combination
Max δz mm
ΣRz kN
Rz per support kN
member force diagrams (N · V · M · T), stresses, tendon results, camber, the PDF report and the DXF set follow with B2a-4 / B2b
Run an analysis (module H) to see the results.
Stage results B2b · incremental and accumulated effect per stage · per load-effect type
StageEffectShow
Member / station
N kN
Vy kN
Vz kN
My kN·m
Mz kN·m
T kN·m
σ top / bot MPa
Groups structure groups for stages · lanes
New group nameKindAssign byObject kind narrows the listAt support or span · blank = anyObjectMembers numbers or ranges · 12, 15-40Nodes numbers or rangesSpan blank = anyStation from – to m · blank = wholeMember typesDeck lines girder numbers, comma · blank = allSupport blank = anySection stageTendon ids comma list · from the tendon table (B2b)Equipment template
groups are kept with the layout and rebuilt with the model; the stage table (B2b) activates them
Group
Kind
Members
Nodes
Links
Nodes Members Links Restraints Springs Extrude view Terrain Equipmentlabels node member link group lanes restraintcolour hide background
Create the model to see it here.
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