Merlin-DASH/PBEAM (New Interface)

Design, Analysis and Rating of Prestress Concrete Bridge Girders

pc1

 

Download

❯ USER MANUAL
❯ LATEST RELEASE NOTES
❯ TUTORIAL – SIMPLE SPAN
❯ TUTORIAL – 3-SPAN

Abstract

The prestressed precast concrete girder analysis and design program, DASH/P, is a submodule of the popular MERLIN-DASH program and will perform a complete analysis and code check of simple-span and multi-span prestressed highway bridges, in accordance with the latest AASHTO Standard and LRFD specifications. The DASH/P design system contains features generalized to a level which allows universal usage. The program is accessed through a user-friendly preprocessor for data preparation and executed by using the latest numerical analysis techniques to accommodate general usage of strand patterns, arbitrary loadings, and user-defined girder members. The program will compute and print the results in tabular form for any defined points along the span for the following: Section properties for composite and non-composite; dead load and live load reactions; shears, moments, and displacements; stresses for various construction stages; prestressing losses and forces; ultimate moments provided and required; and cracking moments.

Program Scope

A full range of features which allow for the most general usage have been incorporated into DASH/P. The basic capabilities of the system are summarized in Table 1. Specific features apply to applicable specifications, loadings, and structural configurations.

Specifications: Prestressed girder bridges are modeled, analyzed, and code-checked in accordance with the latest AASHTO specifications.

Structural Configuration: A number of features are available in DASH/P which allow analysis of various structural bridge configurations. A summary of those features is given in Table 2. Further, since DASH/P is matrix-based and modular, it is easily upgradable for incorporation of other features.

Dead Load: The program is capable of automatically generating all DL calculations in accordance with AASHTO for both composite and non-composite construction stages. Specifications are:

  1. All dead load conditions are investigated automatically for various construction stages;
  2. Special concentrated or uniform loads are available at the option of the user;
  3. Prestressed tendon forces are converted automatically to equivalent joint loads inside the computer program.

Live Loads: Incorporated with the DASH/P system is a most general and wide range of live load capabilities with the utilization of influence lines, as follows:

  1. Standard AASHTO truck and lane loadings;
  2. Interstate or military vehicles;
  3. Non-standard AASHTO loadings (HS-25);
  4. HL-93 for AASHTO LRFD Specifications;
  5. Generalized 20-axle (user-defined) arbitrary trucks;
  6. Application of all truck loadings in both directions;
  7. Impact factors for moments, shears, displacements, and reactions can be defined by user; otherwise, they are computed internally in accordance with AASHTO specifications;
  8. Distribution factors can be defined by user, or default to the AASHTO Standard or LRFD specifications.

The methodology incorporated with the live load portion of DASH/P was developed to be most generally applicable. Determination of all maxima is accomplished by utilization of influence lines. The influence lines were developed by placing unit loads at any user-defined point along the girder.

Limitations: DASH/P, developed with use of the most modern programming techniques, has almost no size limitations. Program size can be adjusted by changing only a couple of variables in the dynamic memory system (only the sponsor of the program has the key to modify the size).

Summary of General Features

  • Full Analysis Capability
  • Full Code Check Capability With All AASHTO Provisions
  • Very Rapid Processing
  • Most Design Parameters May Be Overriden by User
  • Generalized AASHTO and Truck Live Loading
  • Generalized Truck Configurations Specified by User
  • Generalized Girder Configurations
  • Generalized Tendon Configurations
  • Generalized Dead Load Configurations
  • Prestressed Beam Composite or Non-composite
  • Analysis Based upon the Stiffness Method
  • Prismatic Sections
  • AASHTO Prestress Losses
  • Hinges for Construction Stages
  • AASHTO Sections (Built-in)
  • Completely Modular and Easily Modifiable System
  • Indexed Tabular Output
  • WINDOWS, or WINDOWS/Network environments available

Structural Configuration Summary

  • Simple Spans (Singly, or in Series)
  • Continuous Spans
  • Hinges (Moment Release) at Any Location
  • Prismatic or Stepped Prismatic
  • Standard AASHTO Section
  • AASHTO Lookalike Section
  • Bulbtee Section
  • Slab Section
  • Box Section
  • PCEF Section
  • User Supplied Section File

pc2 pc3