70 CE&CR MAY 2013

CE&CRCE&CRCE&CRCE&CRCE&CR: What adv: What adv: What adv: What adv: What advantantantantantages does RM Brages does RM Brages does RM Brages does RM Brages does RM Bridge pridge pridge pridge pridge provide tovide tovide tovide tovide to bro bro bro bro bridgeidgeidgeidgeidge

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VVVVV.S.: .S.: .S.: .S.: .S.: RM Bridge has been used by bridge engineers for more than

30 years, and I think this long track record of successful

implementations is its first advantage. In addition, RM Bridge was

developed by bridge engineers for bridge engineers, which is in

keeping with Bentley's commitment to working smarter, together

with our users to develop innovations that meet their needs,

while providing them industry-leading, continuous support to

further ensure the success of their projects.

RM Bridge is a proven technology that our users rely on for

all types of bridge projects including the most demanding and

complex bridge structures. The software is part of a unique

solution for linear, non-linear, static and dynamic problems for

concrete, steel, cable supported (cable-stayed, arch, suspension)

bridges that can be built in different erection procedures:

incremental launching, cantilever, stage per stage, pre-cast

segmental, and more. Being able to use one tool for any bridge

RM Bridge Has Established A Reputation In TheIndustry And Can Meet The Requirements Of TheMost Demanding Projects

problem and project is a great advantage for bridge engineers-

eliminating the need to master multiple software products,

reducing software costs, increasing productivity, and more. Better

still, the application is not only technically advanced but also

simple to use - with many built-in wizards, templates, etc.

Another significant advantage of RM Bridge is its support of

international standards, not only for analysis but also for design.

This is crucially important given that today's bridge engineers

work on projects around the globe. Moreover, decades of

experience on worldwide reference projects and design code

checks have been incorporated in the capabilities of RM Bridge.

Bentley further brings to bridge engineers the complete

solutions that are required to satisfy the very tight deadlines of

international projects. The software's interoperability within the

BrIM (bridge information modeling) framework of Bentley

applications - starting with road/rail software followed by

planning/analysis/design by RM Bridge in 4D space -delivers with

one click all the rebar, pre-stressing tendons, and full 3D geometry

BRIDGES

I think RM Bridge's widespread recognition comes from its use on some

of the most complex and high-profile landmark bridge projects in the

world. These are mainly cable-supported bridges - cable-stayed and

suspension bridges - and arch structures, where cables are used during

the erection procedure. RM Bridge also is the first application developed

to solve for bridge engineers the very demanding and expensive problem

of deriving an optimal sequence for the tensioning of the cable stays in

a very short time, saving time and money. Over the past 15 years, the

software has been enhanced, becoming easy to use on all types of

bridges, including short span bridges requiring only static analysis. Users

have provided us with valuable feedback on the enhancements they

require, and our development team has paid attention and come up

with innovations that directly address these technical requests. Says

Ms. Vanja Samec, PhD-Global Director - RM Bridge, Bentley

Systems, in an interaction with CE&CR on Bentley RM Bridge software

FACE TO FACE

information to steel detailing software. This, in our view, represents

huge time savings.

Bentley's innovative BrIM solution is a revolutionary approach

to the bridge market. Bridge engineers can use the same data

over the bridge life cycle, which eliminates human errors and

saves time. This results in significant returns on investment for

bridge modification projects, which are part of every major

bridge's life cycle. The information model includes interaction of

the bridge object with other associated infrastructure objects,

such as roads and interchanges; this allows engineers to work in

a single environment, without needing to export and import data,

thereby eliminating most of the errors that result from integrating

multiple systems.

CE&CRCE&CRCE&CRCE&CRCE&CR: In which c: In which c: In which c: In which c: In which countrountrountrountrountries has RM Bries has RM Bries has RM Bries has RM Bries has RM Bridge been used fidge been used fidge been used fidge been used fidge been used for bror bror bror bror bridgeidgeidgeidgeidge

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VVVVV.S.: .S.: .S.: .S.: .S.: Bentley and its RM Bridge software is well-known in all the

major countries around the world where bridge infrastructure

plays an important role, as well as by the world's top bridge

consultants, who regularly rely on Bentley not only for its bridge

software, but also its technical know-how in bridge design and

construction. Thousands of bridge projects of varying degrees of

complexity have been successfully completed with the use of RM

Bridge. But its use is highlighted by the design of cable-stayed

and suspension bridges as well as several high-speed rail projects

with train speeds over 350 km per hour. It is also highly sought

after for application environments that demand a highly reliable,

high-tech bridge application, such as to design bridge structures

being constructed in stormy, windy, or high-seismic areas with

very dynamic security demands.

Examples of regions in which RM Bridge has been employed

include Scandinavia, China, Vietnam, South Korea, the U.S., Brazil,

Latin America, several European countries, and Australia. And RM

Bridge isn't used only by large organizations; it's also employed

by plenty of the small, specialized bridge design groups. In

Lisbon, Portugal, alone, RM Bridge is used by 25 bridge

engineering companies. In the Asian market, where we have had

CE&CR MAY 2013 71

a presence for more than 15 years, many high-profile bridge

projects were designed using RM Bridge.

Specific examples include Sheik Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi,

designed by High Point Rendel, Penang Bridge in Malaysia, and

Shah Amanat Bridge over the Karnapuli River in Chittagong,

Bangladesh. In India, one very recent bridge project, The

Bandra Worli Sea Link used RM Bridge for its detailed design.

Many other external consultants involved in this fantastic landmark

project also used RM Bridge.

CE&CRCE&CRCE&CRCE&CRCE&CR: What mak: What mak: What mak: What mak: What makes RM Bres RM Bres RM Bres RM Bres RM Bridge so popular?idge so popular?idge so popular?idge so popular?idge so popular?

VVVVV.S.: .S.: .S.: .S.: .S.: I think RM Bridge's widespread recognition comes from its

use on some of the most complex and high-profile landmark

bridge projects in the world. These are mainly cable-supported

bridges - cable-stayed and suspension bridges - and arch

structures, where cables are used during the erection procedure.

RM Bridge also is the first application developed to solve for

bridge engineers the very demanding and expensive problem of

deriving an optimal sequence for the tensioning of the cable stays

in a very short time, saving time and money. This advantage was

a key factor in the initial popularity RM Bridge gained among

leading bridge experts some 20 years. Cable-supported bridges

are, indeed, complex and incorporate a lot of problems that can

be solved within RM Bridge. Over the past 15 years, the software

has been enhanced, becoming easy to use on all types of bridges,

including short span bridges requiring only static analysis.

RM Bridge has established a reputation in the industry and

can meet the requirements of the most demanding projects.

Users have provided us with valuable feedback on the

enhancements they require, and our development team has paid

attention and come up with innovations that directly address

these technical requests.

CE&CRCE&CRCE&CRCE&CRCE&CR: What sets the RM Br: What sets the RM Br: What sets the RM Br: What sets the RM Br: What sets the RM Bridge aparidge aparidge aparidge aparidge apart frt frt frt frt from similar prom similar prom similar prom similar prom similar producoducoducoducoductststststs

of oof oof oof oof other cther cther cther cther companies?ompanies?ompanies?ompanies?ompanies?

VVVVV.S.: .S.: .S.: .S.: .S.: RM Bridge has been developed from its inception as

specialized bridge software only, and that vision has made a huge

difference in its evolution. I consider bridge design to be the

BRIDGES

Bandra-Worli Sea Link

pinnacle of structural engineering- encompassing not only bridge

structures but also ground/soil conditions, roads, rail, and much

more. Similar products on the market were developed as an all-

in-one solution for buildings first and added bridges as an

extension. But it's obvious that the slender, long structures that

comprise bridges behave very differently than buildings. At

Bentley, we believe in serving our clients with our know-how,

72 CE&CR MAY 2013

BRIDGES

Image Courtesy: SHAH AMANAT BRIDGE over Karnapuli River inChittagong designed by High-Point Rendel, UK.

Image Courtesy: PENANG Bridge Malaysia; Atkins UKcommissioned to assess bridge in May 2005

Shah Amanat Bridge over Karnapuli River inChittagong

Quick Facts

– 1st major cable supported bridge in Bangladesh

– Cantilever deck structure,

– Extra dosed cable supported bridge,

– Large diameter bored piles under piers.

– Construction completed early 2010.

– Design: High-Point Rendel, UK

RM Bridge used for Global analysis and design including

construction stage calculation with time dependent effects,

seismic check, using AASHTO LRFD standard.

PENANG Bridge Malaysia - Cable Stay Replacement

Design: Design: Design: Design: Design: Atkins UK commissioned to assess bridge in May 2005

Quick Facts

– Cables found to be the only problem:

– Static stresses at SLS generally too high

– Fatigue stresses under fatigue vehicle too high

– Vibration adds further fatigue stresses

– 117 cables removed, each cable required at least 8 stages.

– In 2008 replacement was completed.

RM Bridge used for Analysis of complete bridge - not just cables

Sheik Zayed Bridge, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Design: Design: Design: Design: Design: High Point Rendel UK

BrBrBrBrBridge Opening: idge Opening: idge Opening: idge Opening: idge Opening: in beginning of 2011.

RM Bridge used for detailed static and dynamic

analysis of complete bridge.

Images Courtesy: Sheik Zayed Bridge, Abu Dhabi, UAE designed by High Point Rendel UK

with professional support, and with the implementation of their

technical requirements.

CE&CRCE&CRCE&CRCE&CRCE&CR: What do you think ar: What do you think ar: What do you think ar: What do you think ar: What do you think are the additional challenges te the additional challenges te the additional challenges te the additional challenges te the additional challenges todayodayodayodayoday

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VVVVV.S.: .S.: .S.: .S.: .S.: The productivity tools available today on the desktop are

extremely powerful. But in order to address the increasing mobility

CE&CR MAY 2013 73

of engineers, Bentley is developing i-models and mobile apps

that allow our users to perform important design, analysis, and

review tasks in the field on mobile devices, such as the iPad. This

doesn't mean that a complete bridge project can be calculated

on an iPhone, but by employing i-models, which are containers

for open information exchange, engineers can take important

project information with them to the construction site and do,

for examples, project reviews in a secure environment - knowing

that the data they are referencing is the right version. For

example, Bentley just recently announced the availability of

InspectTech Collector Mobile for use initially on the iPad. Used

with Bentley's InspectTech software-as-a-service offering, the

new app empowers inspectors of transportation and infrastructure

assets from bridges and culverts to signs, light poles, antenna

towers, storm water networks, and more to quickly and

effectively collect a range of inspection information, including

photos and audio, in the field on their iPads. By expediting these

inspections, InspectTech Collector Mobile enhances inspector

productivity and saves owner-operators time and money. These

types of new developments will benefit RM Bridge users to

address needs across the entire bridge life cycle, enabling

information reuse across multiple disciplines as well between the

design, engineering, construction, and operation phases.

CE&CRCE&CRCE&CRCE&CRCE&CR: What is Bentle: What is Bentle: What is Bentle: What is Bentle: What is Bentley Sy Sy Sy Sy Syyyyyssssstttttems plan fems plan fems plan fems plan fems plan for the Indian maror the Indian maror the Indian maror the Indian maror the Indian markkkkket?et?et?et?et?

VVVVV.S.: .S.: .S.: .S.: .S.: The bridge construction industry in India is rapidly developing

and civil engineers and designers are eager to learn about the

newest technology innovations and best practices. RM Bridge

can ensure knowledge transfer to all bridge engineers, but this

powerful, modularized solution will be of most interest to

engineers dealing with more stage bridges, mid- and longer-

span, and, of course, cable-supported and arch bridges. We have

an excellent solution for an incremental launching methodology,

for pre-cast segmental bridges (construction engineers), and

cantilever structures can be calculated as well with the highest

accuracy.

Our product is ready for the Indian market due to its

integration of Indian standards, and we are proud that our

solution is being used by very prominent Indian contractors,

bridge designers, and consultants. We will continue to listen to

our Indian bridge users and to incorporate their requirements, as

necessary, into our software. We are committed to investing in

our products and services and strongly encourage user feedback.

This allows us to build a strong solution for the region.

BRIDGES