Ices Bridge Design System Engineering User's Manual for Simple Span Deck and Girder Optimization and Span Arrangement Optimization

摘要

The report is a user's manual, explaining the use of two computer programs. One program is an optimization scheme for the selection of simple span welded plate girders based on minimum cost of steel and concrete. The other program is an optimization scheme for the selection of span arrangements. Inputs to the plate girder selection program include number of girders, depth and thickness of girder web, thickness of flanges, allowable stresses, deflections, and all other design limitations contained in either the AASHO Bridge Specifications, or the Massachusetts Department of Public Works Specifications. Inputs to the span arrangement program include geometry items such as the stations of the lines of support at a reference line, the angles the lines of support make with that reference line, and the number of stringers to be used. Cost item inputs are the structural steel and concrete costs, a lump sum substructure cost, bearing costs, and a fixed cost per girder to simulate fabrication costs. (Author)