ALLPLAN presents with Allplan Bridge 2020 the world’s first fully integrated 4D BIM solution for bridges at the IABSE conference 2019

"Allplan Bridge 2020 is the world’s first fully integrated solution that uses a common parametric model for both structural analysis and detailing. The minimal time required for changes or variant comparisons greatly speeds up bridge design processes and iterative improvements can be used to develop an optimal design. We have applied all our experience in bridge engineering and the latest IT technology to ensure that engineers are not restricted in their freedom and creativity despite the high degree of automation.," explains Vanja Samec, Managing Director of ALLPLAN Infrastructure.

The most important innovations of Allplan Bridge 2020

Automatic derivation of the analytical model

Thanks to breakthrough technology, Allplan Bridge 2020 automatically generates the analytical model from the physical model. This greatly reduces the amount of work and the susceptibility to errors. Hereby the engineer retains full control by specifying structural parts and those ones which contribute as load only. One additional analysis-relevant definition is the choice of generating a beam or a grillage model.

Assembling construction sequence calculation

Allplan Bridge analyses the defined construction schedule and sets up all necessary calculation definitions in an automated process, like load cases, element activations and calculation actions. This includes input data for calculating nonlinear time effects, like creep, shrinkage and relaxation. Complete transparency is granted, the user keeps full control of the generated items and result overview at any time of construction.

Apply additional loads

The weight and the position of superimposed dead loads (like sidewalks, road pavement, etc.) are automatically retrieved from the geometrical model. The user needs to specify the point in time when the equipment is installed, and consequently the load is applied on the analytical system. Additional loads, like temperature change or wind loads, can be defined and applied easily as well.

Superposition

The user-friendliness of the superposition in Allplan Bridge is groundbreaking. The schematic definition of the superposition combines maximum flexibility with optimal overview. It is possible to select several stress components in user-defined stress points and perform a stress leading superposition. Furthermore, the superposition allows for storing corresponding results for selected elements.

Performing structural analysis

A global static analysis based on the Bernoulli beam theory is performed for all automatically and manually generated calculation actions defined previously in the construction sequence definition. The analysis is enhanced to accurately consider the cross-section variation. Furthermore, the nonlinear calculation of time dependent effects is performed, considering design code formulas.

New generation of bridge design software

With Allplan Bridge, a completely new platform has been created that is designed for the simplest operation and efficient workflows. By using a common bridge model instead of two separate ones for structural analysis and detailing, interdisciplinary collaboration is improved. The parametric model and the extensive automation of work steps dramatically reduces the time required for extremely time-consuming and error-prone design changes. Allplan Bridge is a new generation BIM solution that will change the way bridge projects are designed and executed.

Availability

Allplan Bridge 2020 is expected to be available as a free 30-day trial version for download from October 2019.

More information: www.allplan.com/en/bridge / www.allplan-infra.com