# Getting Started Welcome to the OpenBrIM Platform Application, Parametric Modeling, and Library Concept fundamentals. If you're an experienced bridge or structural engineer familiar with analysis and design processes, this guide will help you understand how the OpenBrIM Platform can streamline your workflows, making them faster and more reliable. Along the way, you'll develop new parametric thinking skills that complement your engineering expertise. After completing this guide, you'll be able to: * Navigate the OpenBrIM Platform Application * Understand the Parametric Markup Language and Parametric Object Development * Create parametric 3D models * Build parametric finite element models * Use cloud-based features for model revision history * Share models with colleagues * Run Finite Element Analysis * Review Staged Construction Analysis results * Review Influence Surface Based Live Load Analysis results * Design superstructure and substructure elements per AASHTO 9th Edition and DOT Amendments * Load rate superstructure elements * Use parametric customized summary reports {% hint style="info" %} **Key Concept** OpenBrIM is a parametric environment—bridge components, code checks, analysis calculations, and workflows are all defined as reusable library objects. Understanding this will help you get the most out of the platform. {% endhint %} --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.openbrim.org/openbrim/getting-started.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.