Bridge beams and concrete deck

Hi,

Here in Australia we would like to use AECOsim to model bridges (for it's building information data properties):

- Precast concrete bridge girders

- Cast in situ concrete deck slabs

Currently we model a bridge in 3D using general Microstation 3D tools. Mesh from Contours, thicken mesh, cut solids by curves, extrude etc.

All this is based off varying geometry of road surface string lines, cambered/hog manufactured girders. It is a very manual process and alot of items depend on a set of limitations of design, curves of road etc.

Attached are some examples of cross sections of a bridge, which most geometry is variable (apart from concrete precast girder depth)

Question:

Can these items be modeled by AECOsim tools, that hold BIM information - not just regular solids/smart solids with element properties?

Thank you and regards,

Nick Peers

Melbourne AU

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  • Hi Nick,

    Thanks for raising this question. Yes, it possible to create the same model using AECOsim tools holding BIM information.

    AECOsim can be used for Bridges & Elevated Metro projects. It also has 'Geo-referencing method' using which you can place your model exactly to your location in 'Google Earth'.

    Warm Regards,

    Subhamoy

    Warm Regards,

    Subhamoy Kundu

  • Hi Nick,

     

    Im in the UK, and I been making pretty much only mass model bespoke bridges (both with pre-cast and in-situ elements) using AECOsim.

    Often the modeling approach is the Microstation solid tools and if down the line we want BIM properties to export IFC or create any report we just use the “Add instance data” tool.

    But on later projects I’m trying to change the approach and when ever possible use the structural elements tools. Not very easy when you have skewed bespoke beams, culverts, random shape L and U shape pre-cast units, etc.

    Also often for some of this bespoke elements now I try and use the Form Modeling tools and take advantage of the features, they can be useful for some readjustments of the geometry. You still need to add instance data to this elements.

     

    For your specify example this are the tools I would try to use from start.

     

    Footpath and deck slab – Structural Design / Place Slab Tool (by flood) this can still be tricky if your bridge alignment is in a curve (angle) and variable level

    Curbs and Girders –Architectural Design / Place Profile Tools (Only available in SS6)

    All piping or cable routes (if applicable) – Plumbing Design / Place Pipe Tool

    For the railing post set – Structural Design / Compound Cell Tool and referenced into a catalog item (Around here this steel elements are detailed by the supplier so it would be no need to be steel structural elements, compound cells will allow to quickly take quantities and batch update them if needed)

    If there’s any other steel element I will use the Structural Steel Shapes.

     

    This is my suggestion,

     Cheers

    PDF

  • Remember, you can also make new Catalog Types (Classes) and use any of the placement tools as templates. You can also extend the properties of that new Catalog Types to include the data you want to track. A derivative of Place Profile is ideal for placing bespoke sections.



  • Hi Gilberto,

    Thank you for suggestions and indicating the AECOsim tools that will help produce the components. I will start to play around with these.

    It's good to know that it can be done. Although I still believe the most difficult part will be the varying thickness/crossfall and longitudinal fall of the concrete deck slab. Hopefully this part gets better.

    Thanks Jeff, I had better start building a library of Catalog Types and .cel files of components.