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Title: RESEARCH PAYS OFF. COMPUTER-AIDED BRIDGE DESIGN
Accession Number: 00607772
Record Type: Component
Availability: Find a library where document is available Abstract: In 1985, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) contracted with Michael Baker, Jr., Inc., of Beaver Pennsylvania, to design and develop a computer-aided design and drafting system for simple one-span bridges that employed PennDOT specifications. The second version of the Bridge Automated Design and Drafting (BRADD-2) system was the result. General use of BRADD-2 began in March 1988; as of June 1990, PennDOT has designed more than 160 bridges using this system. This article discusses the capabilities of BRADD-2 and how it is being used by PennDOT. PennDOT productivity gains have varied from 5:1 to 10:1 depending on the complexity of the geometrics and the need to modify details to specific site conditions. After one year of using BRADD-2, PennDOT estimated that it takes between 80 and 100 person-hours to design and develop contract plans including bid quantities, design and drawing checks, and modifications to suit site conditions. This compares favorably with the 500 to 1,000 person-hours needed to develop similar contract plans without BRADD-2. In April 1989 the American Asssociation of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) acquired the trademark copyright and the right to sublicense the BRADD-2 software. As part of this acquisition, an AASHTO BRADD-2 task force will provide guidance and act as a clearinghouse for maintaining and enhancing the software system. New York will be the first state to offer a modification to BRADD-2. The AASHTO task force is now evaluating the feasibility of a combined PennDOT-New York DOT version of BRADD-2.
Corporate Authors: Transportation Research Board 500 Fifth Street, NW Pagination: p. 38-39
Publication Date: 1991-3
Serial: Features: Photos
(2)
TRT Terms: Geographic Terms: Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls
Files: TRIS, TRB
Created Date: Apr 30 1991 12:00AM
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