BRASS-GIRDER™– Version 8.9 - August 2022

BRASS-GIRDER™ – Version 8.9 – August 2022

The program is current with the AASHTO Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges, 17^th Edition, 2002 and the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, 9^th Edition, 2020.  The Load Factor Rating module is current with the AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation, 3^rd Edition, 2018, with 2019 and 2020 Interim Revisions.  The Load and Resistance Factor Rating module is current with the AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation, 3^rd Edition, 2018, with 2019 and 2020 Interim Revisions.

BRASS-GIRDER™ is a comprehensive system for the analysis and rating of highway bridge girders. The program utilizes finite element theory of analysis and current AASHTO Load Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) specifications. Input and output may be created using English Units. The program computes moments, shears, axial forces, deflections and rotations caused by dead loads, live loads, settlements and temperature changes. These actions are utilized by various subroutines to analyze user-specified sections of the girder.

Girder types may be simple span, continuous, hinged or cantilevered - with or without integral leg frame configuration. Girders may be constructed of steel, reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete (pre- and post-tensioned), and timber. Composite steel and composite prestressed concrete girders may be included.

BRASS can analyze variable depth girders, such as tapered or parabolic. The bridge configuration may be specified by limits of typical cross-sectional elements such as flanges, webs, cover plates, angles, etc. and by the bridge deck cross section. The web depth variation may be linear, parabolic, elliptic, or in steps. The cross section at any point along a span is a combination of the properties of the section and the web depth at that location.

The user may specify (by name) predefined cross sections that are stored in the cross-section library. The library contains nearly all AISC rolled wide flange shapes and most AASHTO standard shapes for prestressed concrete I-beams. Using the Library Utility program, the user may modify the geometry of the existing sections, add new sections, or delete existing sections.

Staged construction may be modeled by respective cycles of the system for girder configuration and load application. Cycles are automatic if desired.

The dead load of structure members is automatically calculated if desired. Additional distributed loads and point loads may be applied in groups and each group assigned to a specific construction stage. Distributed loads may be uniform or tapered and divided into sections to model sequential slab pours. Loads due to prestressing are calculated and applied internally.

Live loads may be moving trucks or uniform lanes loads, which include the HL-93 vehicles described in the AASHTO LRFD specifications. A library vehicle may have up to 24 axles. Up to 80 axles per vehicle may be input when using the Special Vehicles tab in the user interface. Up to 125 vehicles may be analyzed in one run. Dynamic load allowance (impact) may be user-defined, as specified by AASHTO, or the user may reduce impact to model reduced speed limits.

Prestressed girder features:

• Simple span for dead load, continuous span for live load.
• Straight, harped or parabolic tendon paths.
• Secondary moments due to creep and shrinkage.
• Stress relaxation of steel strand is accounted for as a function of time.
• Effects of temperature change can be analyzed at any stage.
• Support conditions can change from stage to stage.
• Results of individual loads may be obtained.
• Composite girders may be analyzed.

 

System Requirements

Operating System                          Microsoft Windows™ 7, 8, 8.1 or 10
Microprocessor                             Pentium IV or higher
Microsoft .NET Framework         4.7.2
Memory                                          16 MB required, more is better
Hard Disk Space                             Approximately 210 MB
Disk Drive                                        DVD drive

 

BRASS-GIRDER™ Documentation
Release Notes (44 KB)
Getting Started Manual (62 KB)