Page 258 - Bridge and Highway Structure Rehabilitation and Repair

CHAPTER 5 LOAD AND RESISTANCE FACTOR RATING AND REDESIGN 233

Table 5.10a Frequently used computer programs for superstructures (continued).
Program I.D. Authors Web Site/E-Mail**
DESCUS OPTI-MATE, Inc. www.opti-mate.com
Merlin-DASH
GT STRUDL Georgia Tech CASE Center www.gtstrudl.gatech.edu

STAAD.Pro Bentley Systems Inc. www.bentley.com
MicroStation
AASHTO Virtis (Bridge Load Rating) AASHTOWare ® Vigesa@email.msn.com
**E-mail address is subject to change.

Table 5.10b Frequently used computer programs for substructures.
Program I.D. Authors Web Site/E-Mail
RC-PIER ® Leap Software www.leapsoft.com
Merlin-RCWall OPTI-MATE, Inc. www.opti-mate.com
Sam Bestech Systems Ltd. www.bestech.co.uk/Bridges@
bestech.co.uk
ABLRFD—LRFD Abutment and Retaining Wall PennDOT www.dot.state.pa.us
Analysis and Design
PAPIER Pier Design
BXLRFD—LRFD Box Culvert Design
and Rating
**E-mail address is subject to change.

5.11 SOFTWARE FOR SUBSTRUCTURE

Seismic analysis and design software is listed in Chapter 12.
Engineers are advised to review and evaluate program defaults and make the necessary

modifications to ensure that bridge components are designed in accordance with the AASHTO
design criteria as modified by this section.

• Construction loads and procedures—Many failures seem to happen during construction.
Site organization is based on selection of one general contractor, who in turn selects several
subcontractors, who have specialized in a particular trade such as concreting, formwork,
steel fabrication, bearings, reinforcing steel, etc. One of the difficulties is that construction

practice varies from state to state and from job site to job site.
• Current design specifications do not seem to cover in detail construction related design

for temporary loads. Future construction codes should address issues created by use of
the latest technology. Technical specifi cations may also be made comprehensive to give
minute details about construction procedures.
• Accelerated bridge construction—Modern construction technology seems to be pulling
the train on design methods. Precast technology is a world apart from traditional wet
construction methods. Self-propelled modular transportation (SPMT) has enabled the
transportation of long span girders without the need for splices.
• Connections used for precast methods are different from those used in traditional construc-
tion.