New

Form: New Model

Click the Orb > New command to access the New Model form and start a new model. The form has options to initialize the model and to start the model from templates. Initializing the model determines the units to be used and the default definitions of all properties, components, loading definitions, design settings, and other defined items. Bridge objects and other physical objects (lines, areas, links, and the like), and assignments to these objects, are not included in the initialization.

After a model has been generated using a template, the model can be modified using the commands on the Layout, Components, Loads, Bridge, Analysis, Design/Rating, and Advanced tabs.

If the Blank or Quick Bridge buttons on the New Model form are used to start a model, the Bridge Wizard can be used to step though creation of the bridge model.

New Model Initialization. Select one of the following options:
- Initialize the Model from Defaults with Units option and drop-down list. When this option is selected, CSiBridge will use the default program definitions. The default definitions are typical for the choice made in the Select Template area of the form (see below). Where necessary, the default definitions can be modified using the commands on the Layout, Components, Loads, and Bridge tab. Use the drop-down list to specify the units to be used in the model.

Note: The units used to start a model become the base units for that model. If different units are used in the model, they are always converted to and from these base units. The model will always open in the base units, so choose the units carefully.

- Initialize Model from an Existing File option. When this option is selected, CSiBridge will use the units and definitions from an existing model. This method is generally preferable if common sets of properties, analyses, and design definitions are to be used for projects of a certain type. If this option is selected, click one of the template buttons in the Select Template area of the form. Then, when the program displays the Open Model File form, specify the path and filename for a previously stored model file that is to be used for initializing the new model.
Modify/Show Info button. Click the button to access the Project Information form. Use that form to add project specific information that will appear in the various forms of output, including written reports.
Select Template. This area of the form has template buttons. The following table identifies the structure templates available. The Advanced > Edit > Add to Model from Template command also will access these templates and add them to an existing model.

Button	Structure Options	Form Used
Blank	None	None
Beam	Beam	Beam
2D Frames	Portal	2D Frames
	Braced (Concentric)
	Braced (Eccentric)
Cable Bridges	Suspension Bridge	Suspension Bridge
Caltrans-BAG	Bridges	Bridge Analysis Generator
Quick Bridge	Concrete Box Girder External Girders Vertical External Girders Sloped External Girders Clipped External Girders with Radius External Girders Sloped Max Concrete Box Girder - AASHTO-PCI-ASBI Standard Concrete Box Girder - Advanced Precast Concrete I Girder Precast Concrete U Girder Steel I Girder Steel U Girder Concrete Tee Beam Concrete Flat Slab Concrete Solid Girder	Quick Bridge Template
Segmental Bridge	External Girders Vertical External Girders Sloped External Girders Clipped External Girders with Radius External Girders Sloped Max Concrete Box Girder - AASHTO-PCI-ASBI Standard Concrete Box Girder - Advanced	Segmental Bridge Template

The Caltrans-BAG bridge template has been developed for use by the California Department of Transportation.

The Quick Bridge and Segmental Bridge template default models can be modified using the commands on the Layout, Components, Loads, Bridge, Analysis, Design/Rating, and Advanced tabs or using the Bridge Wizard.

If the Beam or 2D Frames button is used, a form specific to the type of structure selected will display. Choose or change the default values in the edit boxes on the form. Also, use the appropriate Section Properties drop-down list(s) to specify the frame, chord, brace or area section properties for the model. The drop-down list(s) provides access to additional forms that can be used to define the material properties. The templates typically produce structures with uniform spacing, unless you choose to modify the spacing using the individual template forms.

Note: Remember to save your model periodically. Click the Save button or use the Orb > Save command.