Parametric Bridge Engineering [QG-1]

Access an Example Steel Bridge Model

Please follow the instructions below to access the 'Steel I-Girder Training Example' model provided as an example:

1	→ Log in to your account and locate the 'Project' option in the top right corner.
	Please note that the initial setup process for the user experience take approximately 5-8 seconds to complete. Subsequent interactions will not require as much time.
	→ Click on 'Project' and then select 'NEW' from the top left corner of the screen.
2	→ Under the 'Example Project' section, click on 'New Project' specifically located within the 'Steel I-Girder Training Example'.
3	→ Provide a name for your project and proceed to open the example project.
	Please note that the initial download process for the library components take approximately 2 minutes and 30 seconds to complete. Subsequent interactions will not require as much time.

OpenBrIM Parametric Modeling: Enhanced Functionality with Essential Parameters

This section will showcase the practical application of the OpenBrIM Platform's cloud-based parametric approaches, emphasizing their ability to enhance the user's modeling experience smartly.

To experience modifying web dimensions, please follow the instructions below:
1	→ Click on the 'DATA' button located in the bottom-middle section of the screen. This will open a spreadsheet. → To adjust the height of the spreadsheet, click and hold the 'DATA' button with the left mouse button, then drag it to the desired position. → To close the spreadsheet, simply click once on the 'DATA' button.
2	→ Click on 'Plate Girder' under the 'Superstructure' section in the workflow. This action will display all the girders and their corresponding parameters in the spreadsheet for the project.
3	→ Let's take a look at how the Finite Element model looks with the current web depth before changing it. → Click on the icon in the top left corner to open the sliding menu. → In the menu, you will see MODEL, FEA, CAD, DOCS, SUPPORT, and USER SETTINGS. → To activate the Finite Element model, click on FEA.
	You can zoom in and out by using the scroll wheel of your mouse. To move around, press and hold the scroll wheel while moving your mouse. If the bridge is out of view, you can realign the bridge by clicking on the “” button located in the top right corner of the screen. Once you click on an object, pressing “” will allow you to rotate around that object. To rotate an object, hold down the left mouse button and drag it.
4	→ The Finite Element model appears as shown on the side with the current web depth (84 inches). → To modify the web depth parameter of the 'G4' girder, click on the corresponding 'Web Depth' cell of the girder in the spreadsheet. → Next, enter the value of 55 inches as the web depth in the cell.
Updating the dimensional change in the 3D model and Finite Element model will take approximately 10 seconds.
5	→ The new Finite Element model appears as shown on the side with the updated web depth.
6	→ Open the sliding menu again by clicking on the icon in the top left corner, and then click on 'MODEL' to switch to the 3D view.
7	→ You can see the changes in both the 3D view and the Finite Element model in the visual on the side.
It is also possible to define girder dimensions as station-dependent. To experience modifying web dimensions, please follow the instructions below:
8	→ To modify the web depth parameter of the 'G4' girder station-dependent, click on the corresponding 'Web Depth' cell of the girder in the spreadsheet. Once you click on the cell, you will notice three-dots appearing to the right of the cell.
9	→ Click on the three-dots that appear on the right side of the cell. Then, click on 'Edit (Spreadsheet)' from the options that appear.
10	→ In the newly opened spreadsheet, define the 'Web Depth' parameter as station dependent. → Once you have made the desired changes, click on the 'Back' icon (marked in blue) to apply the changes to the project. You have the option to define other parameters of the girder as station dependent as well.

OpenBrIM Spreadsheets: Excel-Like Functionality with Parametric Dependencies

This section will showcase the practical application of the OpenBrIM Platform's cloud-based parametric excel-like functionality, highlighting its ability to enhance the user's modeling experience.

To experience aligning the cross-frame skew with the support line's skew, please follow the instructions below:
1	→ Click on the 'DATA' button located in the bottom-middle section of the screen. This will open a spreadsheet. → To adjust the height of the spreadsheet, click and hold the 'DATA' button with the left mouse button, then drag it to the desired position. → To close the spreadsheet, simply click once on the 'DATA' button.
2	→ Click on 'Support Line' under 'Bridge Geometry' in the workflow to access the skew angle parameter.
3	→ To change the skew angle of 'Abut1', click on the corresponding cell (mark in red). You can zoom in and out by using the scroll wheel of your mouse. To move around, press and hold the scroll wheel while moving your mouse. If the bridge is out of view, you can realign the bridge by clicking on the “” button located in the top right corner of the screen. Once you click on an object, pressing “” will allow you to rotate around that object. To rotate an object, hold down the left mouse button and drag it.
4	When the skew angle value of 'Abut1' is set to zero, it will appear as shown on the right-hand side.
5	When the skew angle of 'Abut1' is set to '-15' degrees, it will appear as shown on the right-hand side. As observed, the cross-frames are not aligned with the support line. To parametrically align the skew angle of the cross-frame with the skew angle of the support line, you can follow these steps: Copy the skew angle value of the support line using the "Copy Parameter" function. Paste this parametric expression into the skew angle value of the cross-frame. By doing so, the skew angle of the cross-frame will be dynamically linked to the skew angle of the support line.
6	→ Click on the skew angle cell of 'Abut1'. When you click on the cell, you will see three-dots appear to the right of the cell. → Then, click on the three-dots that appear on the right side of the cell. → From the options provided, select 'Copy Parameter'. Now, the value of the skew angle has been copied parametrically. The parameter copied exactly is: =Abut1.s_skew
7	→ Expand the 'Cross Frames' section under 'Superstructure' in the workflow. → Then, click on 'Cross-frame K Top' to access its parameters.
8	After clicking on the skew angle cell of 'CFTK1', you will see three dots appear to the right of the cell. → Click on the three dots to access additional options and select 'Paste' from the menu. After clicking on the cell, you can also paste the copied parameter by using the keyboard shortcut CTRL+V.
9	→ Perform the paste operation for 'CFKT28' and 'CFKT29' in the same manner as before. As observed, the skew angles of the cross-frames have now been aligned with the support line.
10	You no longer need to manually adjust the skew angles of the cross-frames whenever the skew angle of the support line changes. The skew angle values of the cross-frames are now parametrically linked to the skew angle value of the support line.
Aligning the cross-frame skew with the support line's skew is completed.
Additionally, to align the roadway with the skew angle, please follow the instructions below:
11	→ To align the roadway with the skew angle of the support line, expand the 'Superstructure Attachments' section in the workflow and click on 'Roadway' to access the parameters related to the roadway alignment. → Then, click on 'Edit' from the three-dot menu on the right side of the 'Roadway Dimensions' cell. → Paste the skew angle copied from 'Abut1' into the 'Skew' parameter at zero station.