We recommend the users to develop a simple sketches of the bridge data that will be entered to the bridge modeler. These sketches together with hand calculation may serve as a documentation of the bridge model and they can be also used for troubleshooting. They can also speed up technical support, because the support engineers are provided the design intention. The sketches should contain the following information (please see the attached PDF file for sample BrIM model documentation):

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Model sketch

CSI recommends that users sketch bridge configuration and data that is to be entered into the bridge modeler. Sketching should aid in computational-model development. Also, sketches submitted to CSI Technical Support will better communicate design intention, and expedite the support process. Attached is a sample sketch (pdf). It is advised that sketches contain the following information:

• Plan and elevation layout line geometry

• Bridge elevation: span lengths, deck section properties, substructure units and bearingsdeck , bearing locations

• Deck cross section: type, including dimensioned geometry, total depth

• bearingsBearings: bearing property at each location, directions direction of unrestrained bearing movementsmovement, girder support condition

• substructure Substructure: elevations sketch - for each support location, included the following: top of deck elevation, bottom of girder elevation, bottom of bearing elevation, top of seat elevation

The following information may be also provided, depending on the bridge type:

• baseline elevation at

Depending on bridge type, additional information may include:

• Baseline elevation for top of deck at each substructure elementassembly

• bentsBents: show dimensioned geometry, column and cap-beam section properties for columns and cap beams

Attachments

• File | filename = BrIM Troubleshooting Example.pdf | title = BrIM Troubleshooting Example - Sample Hand Calculations (PDF Format, 407 kB)

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Dead-load verification

• Bridge-deck-section area couples with base-material weight for dead-load computation. This should be taken into account when bridge deck and girders use concretes of different weight.

• Haunch weight is not included, since haunch is only used to vertically offset girders. When tendons are modeled as elements, Tendon weight is included.

• Shear forces reported on the Bridge Object Response Display form do not include tendon contribution since the primary tendon force is removed from flexural check.

Attachments

• Sample bridge-model sketch (pdf)