Recent content by Umassengr

Thanks TomDOT. I have not contacted them directly but I have read the manuals and technical write ups. I'm not sure if they are going to give me the information I need to perform my evaluation as I think it would be somewhat biased. My overall impression is favorable, but the I want to know...

I am reviewing a technical proposal for a bridge design to use a Florida I-Beam in place of AASHTO beams. I have read FDOT's write up of the benefits of the shape and the FIB seems to provide several advantages over AASHTO beams, specifically span lengths and stability. The information I have is...

The slow economy is making it hard for DOT's to fund bridge design projects. I am not sure you will find much demand for entry level bridge engineers in the DOT's especially in CA where the state is in constant danger of going broke. (Or so i've heard in the news)and many other states are...

Exactly.

Qshake We do all of the same things. I was not suggesting that just because a computer program or a subconsultant says the design is right means it is. Would you agree that the reputation of the software goes a long way in your having confidence that the results are accurate? I have used...

Graybeach's post illustrates the process better than my memory could recall. I had the cheeseburger if I remember right. Qshake -I think the question of trust that you raise is applicable to many of the industry "standard" software that we are all using. The design software that my company...

https://bookstore.transportation.org/item_details.aspx?ID=1152 Try this.

Qshake The point I was trying to make in my original reply was that kji120 make sure that the services that BSDI offers were really necessary. As I said this is not an off the shelf software, it is a company that provides a service. They are essentially part of your project team. So if you...

BSDI is more of a service than a program. As far as I know they have not developed commercial package for this software. Each job is customized for the client by BSDI. You will need to work with BSDI to develop the model of your bridge in their software. Basically you send BSDI the member...

If you are looking for a section that is no longer manufactured you could try to find it in an old fabricator hanbook. Bethlehem Steel pubished thier structural shapes in a book. and I found one on online this morning. Here is the Description: "BETHLEHEM STRUCTURAL SHAPES. Information and...

Another use for a mirror... From my days as a coatings (bridge painting) inspector...an extendable mirror to see thoses inacessable areas. Also don't forget your hardhat and other safety gear.

My State DOT generally likes to limit the overhang so that the effective flange width on the exterior beam matches the interior beams though so I can't say I've thought too much about it. In general most of the bridges that I have designed have very little live load going to the exterior beam...

5% Mid-year; 4% End of year + $5K The Mid year was for taking on addtional workload of a co-worker who left and was not replaced.

sundale gets a star. My thoughts exactly!

Jeffcivil2 The technology may not be advancing as fast as other more modern engineering dicipline are , but remember you're part of the worlds oldest (or second oldest depending on your viewpoint) profession. We alter the environment that we live in to suit the needs of society, and that has...