Computer-Aided Bridge Design

A computer system to aid highway bridge designers is described. The system integrates data manipulation, analysis, and partly-to-fully automated design routines for short-span bridges. The system is characterized by the flexibility it allows the engineer in specifying the parameters associated with design. Depending on the amount and type of input specified, the design process ranges from completely automatic design for the structure that has been completely specified. All design processes are requested by the designer using simple commands written in a language normally used by the engineer. Present capabilities include highway geometry definition, design and analysis of concrete decks, and the design and analysis of simple and continuous steel, plate girder, or rolled section (with or without cover plates) composite or noncomposite bridges.