Parametric Model

Design Challenge

Our design challenge is to parametrically model the deck and the columns of the bridge, such that any changes made in any of the parameters of the deck or the column can lead to an automatic adjustment of all the depending parameters of the structures. The parametric model should also allow the designer to change the embodiment of the bridge by varying parameters such as bridge width, deck thickness, bridge span, column spacing, and column radius resulting in enhancing the structural resilience of the structure. This will be done by keeping the embodiment of the designed bridge within extreme limits so that the geometrical model is not distorted by using out-of-bound inputs for design.

High Performance Criteria

  • Structural IntegrityThe high performance criteria considered for this study is the integrity of the structure in regards to the loading capacity. The bridge must demonstrate exceptional structural integrity to withstand heavy loads and potential dynamic forces, ensuring that it can safely support vehicular traffic, including trucks and other heavy vehicles.

Design Parameters

The specific design parameters are determined by the processes of performing multiple analyses on the bridge, such as Structural Analysis, Traffic Analysis, Geotechnical Investigations etc. (4. Methods of analysis, 2015). This leads to multiple iterations in the design of the bridges over the time of the initial design phase, leading to a lot of reworks on construction design and drawings. (Purva Mujumdar and J. Uma Maheswari, 2017). Building Information Modelling (BIM) allows the designers to parametrically model the bridge so that such design changes or iterations can be easily handled by negating the need to rework the whole design and associated drawings (Girardet and Boton, 2021). The design parameters can be seen below:

  • Bridge Length: The length of the bridge can be changed by increasing the Center Line Length
  • Bridge Width: The width of the bridge can be changed by changing the width control slider. This changes the width of the base.
  • Base Width: The width of the base of the bridge deck. This can be increased or decreased depending on the need of the type and number of support columns required.
  • Deck Depth: This can be changed to accommodate different loading conditions and width of the bridge.
  • Number of Columns: This can be changed to accommodate different loading conditions.
  • Column Spacing: This can be changed to accommodate different loading conditions.
  • Column Radius: This can be changed to accommodate different loading conditions.

Parametric Model Description

The parametric model is created with Dynamo BIM using the specified design parameters to generate the an RCC Bridge. The model can be divided into 4 big groups: (A) input parameters, (B) creation of center line, (C) creation of columns and (D) creation of bridge deck. The dynamo script can be seen below:

umdynamocode

 

Group A basically includes the parameters which can be altered to generate different design alternatives as desired. Group B is responsible for the creation of the center line which serves as the basis for creation of columns and deck. Group C is responsible for creatin columns along a grid and giving them a solid shape in dynamo. Finally, Group D is responsible for making the bridge deck structure and giving it a solid shape.

Design Alternatives

Based on the parametric model developed, multiple design alternatives can be generated in terms of the physical embodiment of the sub and the superstructure. These alternatives are aimed at fulfilling a different set of requirements in terms of topography and loading requirements. These design alternatives for this study are given below:

umdesignalternatives

Parametric Model

Bridge by usamakhan1022 on Sketchfab

References

Reinforced Concrete Bridges. (n.d.). Theory and Design of Bridges, pp.147–295. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470172889.ch3.

Gopinath, V. (2021). Component of a bridge|Bridge components-Types, functions. [online] vin civilworld. Available at: https://vincivilworld.com/2021/01/23/bridge-components-typesfunctions/ [Accessed 7 Jan. 2024].

4. Methods of analysis. (2015). Default Book Series. [online] doi:https://doi.org/10.1680/pbsaad.27787.0004

Purva Mujumdar and J. Uma Maheswari (2017). Design iteration in construction projects – Review and directions. [online] ResearchGate. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312255073_Design_iteration_in_construction_projects _-_Review_and_directions [Accessed 7 Jan. 2024].

Girardet, A. and Boton, C. (2021). A parametric BIM approach to foster bridge project design and analysis. Automation in Construction, [online] 126, pp.103679–103679. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2021.103679

 

← Bridge   |   Group A – Homepage   |   Frame Structure Building →