Closing the Design Loop
The biggest single feature of Sam is the way it closes the design loop of
bridge analysis and bridge deck design. The benefits that derive from this are:
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Speed
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Accuracy
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Consistent data
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Single source of
support
Closing the Loop between Design and Analysis.
(Click for larger image)
Benefits for the Design of Bridge Girders
Design codes for AASHTO, AS5100, BS5400 & the UK DMRB and the Eurocodes allow
for a wide area of application within one package. One common interface allows for
design and assessment of:
- general sections with any material properties,
- precast pretensioned beams,
- steel/concrete composite beams,
- reinforced concrete beams and
- post tensioned beams.
The integration of beams and sections with analysis saves time and increases accuracy when extracting
results from analysis models.
The mimics of engineers hand-calculations generate early confidence in the software, and allow
for quality assurance, both in terms of checking the calculations, and in terms of archival filing.
The tight design loop with analysis saves time when fine-tuning the main girders.
Benefits for Bridge Deck Analysis
Automatic calculation of section properties of complex beams saves time, and ensures
that when the beam design changes, so does the model.
Line beam analysis makes for automatic calculation of the effects of dead load,
shrinkage & creep, and differential temperature. It also enables very fast
preliminary designs, which is very valuable for pre-contract design.
The "Composite Members" facility for finite element models makes generation of
influence surfaces meaningful, and allows easy interpretation of results, something
which previously has been impossible or difficult. It is also useful for sense-checking
overall results of complex models.
Traffic load optimisation is very fast and thorough, and saves huge amount of time for
the modern design codes.
What Does "Saved Time" Mean?
The time saved by effective modelling can be used to cut project delivery times and save money. This is
especially important for short-to-medium span bridges where the design costs may be fixed, and the
profit margins may be small.
It becomes possible to take on more work with the same resources and in turn this can allow increased fee
income and profits.
Alternatively, it becomes possible to cut fees, which could help with price-competitiveness when bidding for
work.
For the design-only environment, the time saved can be used to explore alternatives, so the structure will be
more optimised for both appearance and price. The end customer gets more value-for-money from the design.
For the design-and-build environment, Sam lets the engineer explore design variations
very quickly. This
means that when bidding for the contract the best solution suited to the construction methods can be
explored, and it allows the engineer to work through alternatives when changes arise, as they often do!
Innovation and Updates
Our innovation and regular updates keep us and our customers ahead. For example, what other
software can design the optimised layout of the tendons in a prestressed beam for the Eurocodes
and other standards? Or how many have powerful optimisation routines for traffic loads on bridges?
Translation
For customers preferring their own languages, our intention is to build a network of local
language distributors, and we will use our translation tools to create a local language interface.
This will be of great benefit, because people much prefer working in their own language rather than
a unfamiliar one. Please contact us if you wish to become involved in
this project.
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