Form: Bridge Object Superstructure Design and Optimization
After analysis and design of a steel girder bridge model, click the Design/Rating > Superstructure Design > Optimize command to display the Bridge Object Superstructure Design and Optimization form. Use the options on the form to interactively optimize design of the bridge model.
Bridge Object drop-down list. Select the Bridge Object for which design is being optimized.
Request Name drop-down list. Select the Design Request that applies to the target model design.
Girder drop-down list. Design can be optimized for the Left Exterior Girder, Interior Girders, and the Right Exterior Girder by selecting the appropriate girder from this drop-down list.
Span drop-down list. If multiple span have been assigned to the selected Bridge Object, use this drop-down list to select the span for which the design is being optimized.
Units drop-down list. Select from this drop-down list to modify the units used on this form only.
Graph 1 and Graph 2 display areas. A schematic of the selected span and girder for the selected Bridge Object and Design Request will display here, ready for interactive design. As changes are made using the other buttons and drop-down lists on the form, the display will change, allowing review of the revised design. As indicated below, the changes will be temporary until they are applied to the model. When the user exits the Bridge Object Superstructure Design and Optimization form the user will be prompted to unlock, create a new file, exit or cancel the optimized design. When the Unlock option is selected, the As Designed’ beam plate sizes will be applied to the model such that the original beam plate sizes will be replaced. If the New File option is selected, the ‘As Designed’ beam plate sizes will be applied to the model,which will then be save as a new file thereby preserving the original beam plate sizes. If the Exit option is selected, the optimization process is terminated and the original beam plate sizes are restored.
Select Series To Plot button. Click this button to display the Select Graph {Number} Series form. Use the form to select the type of result (moment, stress, force) to be displayed, and thus optimized, during this interactive design operation.
Select Series to Report drop-down list. Use this drop-down list to select the plot that the pointer will snap to while scrolling along selected series.
Modify Section button. Click this button to display the {Bridge Object ID} - Steel Beam Section Variation form. Use this form to display the section parameters. These data can be modified to interactively design the top and bottom girder flanges as well as the web section and the girder stiffeners. Click the Update Plot button to apply the changes to the plot shown on the Bridge Object Superstructure Design and Optimization form. Note that updating the plot does not update the model data. The model is updated when the appropriate option is selected in the Select Option form shown above.
Recalculate Resistance button. Click this button to recalculate the resistance and complete the optimization calculation.
Display As Analyzed Table button and Display As Designed Table button. Click these buttons to display the Bridge Super Design - Design Results Status form, which shows results as calculated in accordance with CSiBridge's analysis and design processes, respectively.
OK button. After optimization has been completed, click the OK button to display the Select Option form.