Curved Steel Plate I Girder Bridge

This example demonstrates how to model, analyze, and design a Steel I Girder Bridge using OpenBrIM.App.

Steel I Girder Bridge Model

Ready to start? Access the completed example in New Project > Example Projects, or follow this step-by-step guide to build from scratch.

Bridge Overview

The finalized version of this example steel I girder bridge model can be accessed in the example projects section under the new project UI. Users have the option to start from scratch and follow a step-by-step guide to model, analyze, and design superstructure and substructure components of the bridge.

Example Project Selection

Bridge 3D Model

Design Parameters

Parameter	Value
Specification	2020 AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specification, 9th Edition
Structural Steel	AASHTO M270, Grade 50 (Fy=50 ksi, Fu=65 ksi)
Concrete	f'c=4 ksi, γ=150 pcf
Slab Reinforcing Steel	AASHTO M31, Grade 60 (Fy=60 ksi)
Span Length	160 ft - 210 ft - 160 ft
Radius of Bridge	700 ft
Deck Width	40.5 ft
Deck Thickness	9 in
Integral Wearing Surface	0.5 in
Haunch Thickness	4 in
Lane Width	12 ft
Superelevation	5%

Typical Bridge Cross-Section

Framing Plan

Girder Elevation

Design Loads

Load Type	Value
Future Wearing Surface	30 psf
SIP	15 psf
Live Load	HL-93 Design Vehicle
Fatigue	75-year life, ADTTsl = 1000 trucks/day

Deck Placement Sequence

Workflow Steps

Follow these 16 steps to complete the bridge design:

Step	Section	Description
1	Modeling on OpenBrIM.App	Create new project
2	Bridge Geometry	Define alignment, supports, girder layout
3	Properties	Define materials, rebars, sections
4	Superstructure	Model bearings, girders, deck
5	Superstructure Attachments	Add barriers, roadway
6	Substructure	Model piers, foundations, piles
7	Construction	Define construction stages
8	Loading	Apply all load types
9	Combinations	Set up load combinations
10	Templates	Configure code check templates
11	Superstructure Code Checks	Run superstructure design checks
12	Substructure Code Checks	Run substructure design checks
13	Load Rating	Perform load rating
14	Reports	Generate output reports
15	Design Summary	Review final design
16	FEA Results	Analyze results

Capabilities

3D Modeling

• Generate parametric 3D model with substructure and superstructure
• Generate parametric 2D drawings

Finite Element Analysis

• Create parametric FEA model
• Time-dependent staged construction analysis
• Influence surface-based live load analysis
• Creep and shrinkage per CEB-FIP 1990

Loading

• Wind load on structure (AASHTO) from various attack angles
• Wind load on live load
• Influence surface-based braking/centrifugal/live loads (HL93, Legal Truck, Permit Trucks, custom)
• Temperature loads
• Surface/Line/Point loads on different structural elements
• Tendon stressing for substructure components

Staged Construction

• Girder erection sequence
• Deck pouring sequence (transverse and longitudinal)
• Deconstruct deck/girder/substructure/barrier for rehabilitation
• Add/remove temporary supports
• Non-composite and composite states of girders
• Short-term and long-term modulus of elasticity override

Analysis Results

• Incremental and cumulative stage results
• Deflection visualization (graphical and spreadsheet)
• Combination results for various limit states
• Composite results at center of gravity
• Stress distributions
• Critical vehicle location visualization

Design (AASHTO 9th Edition)

Components supported:

• Steel I Girder
• Splices
• Cross Frames
• Cross Frame Gusset Plates
• Shear Studs
• Pier Caps
• Pier Columns
• Pier Footings
• Piles
• Drilled Shafts

Load Rating

• Per AASHTO 9th Edition and Manual for Bridge Evaluation

Reports

• Camber Diagram
• Quantity Report
• Seat Elevation Table
• Slab Elevation Table
• Project Inputs
• Vertical Clearance Report

Export

• 3D model to DGN/DXF/IFC formats
• 2D drawings to DGN/DXF
• FEA model to LARSA 4D, CSI Bridge, or Midas

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With this workflow, whenever you modify a bridge component parameter or alignment, all associated results and reports will be automatically updated and viewable within minutes. This showcases the power of parametric bridge engineering in the OpenBrIM Platform.