Streamlining the Bridge Design Process

More than 50 bridge structures are included in a massive project to rebuild Milwaukee's Marquette Interchange. This article describes how the project's bridge design firm is using technology and innovation to save both time and money. To take advantage of the structured nature of bridge design and to automate portions of the detailed design phase, the design firm has developed a series of computer programs that allow the firm to deliver bridge design services with improved efficiency and better quality. A custom automation tool was developed that reads the output of the conventional design software. This tool then generates a text file in a standard format that contains information needed to create each drawing. The text fields simplify the programming task by providing only the parametric information that defines the design. A program was also created that reads the text fields and creates finished deliverable drawings based on the fields' contents. The program produces drawings automatically that reflect the design intent accurately, simplifying the quality assurance process. Design changes can also be accommodated easily.

• Authors:
  • Willis, Kevin
• Publication Date: 2006-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: pp 18, 20-21
• Serial:
  • Bridges
  • Volume: 9
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: ZweigWhite

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automation; Bridge design; Case studies; Computer programs; Design practices; Design teams; Drawings; Highway bridges; Quality assurance; Technological innovations
• Geographic Terms: Milwaukee (Wisconsin)
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01031736
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 5 2006 7:48AM