Illustrative Examples of Structures Built with Advanced Engineering Software
The following examples are presented to demonstrate the types of construction projects that have been built using the MetamericBridge design system that AIC has researched, designed, re-designed and implemented for construction industry clients.
Some of these example projects used software developed by AIC. Some of these examples did not use software developed by AIC. Some of the examples were projects of AIC's clients while some were not. The examples detail specific aspects of AIC's technological areas of interest and capabilities.
Pre-Cast Segmental Bridge Examples
The following global construction industry projects were built, in whole or in part, using Segmental Bridge Design software of an AIC client. AIC was involved in the original design and subsequent re-design of the software system that was used in the following projects:
- The first Vancouver SkyTrain extension project in British Columbia, Canada;
- an in city highway viaduct in Seoul, Korea;
- the second link between Singapore and Malaysia;
- the Pakse Bridge in Laos;
- a bridge in Taiwan.
The SkyTrain in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada is a segmental bridge. The first extension of the Sky Train was the first project to use the MetamericBridge Pre-Cast Segmental Design Software.
An example of a segmental bridge segment that can be produced with MetamericBridge. It's quite a feat to calculate the exact shape of a segment like this to the millimeter! You'll notice that the segments are not simply rectangular boxes with nice straight edges. They are almost never a perfect box due to the curvature of the roadway alighnment as it twists and turns, rises and lowers, and meanders on it's way. Each segment is unique in a segmental bridge design although more than one segment may be calculated from a single template. You can see the scale by looking at the construction worker inside on of the segments already attached to the bridge. These things are huge!
An example of a segmental bridge segment under construction with the gantry that moves the pre-cast bridge segments into place.
Another example of a segmental bridge segment under construction with the gantry that moves the pre-cast bridge segments into place. In this photo you can see how they use the gantry to move the segments into place over water even onto a column, having no segments yet, that has just been built.
An example of a segmental bridge segment after completion. This is the New Rosevelt Bridge in Stuart, Florida, USA.
The Segmental Bridge software was used in the construction of the Second Link Crossing between Singapore and Malyasia. This bridge was built using the MetamereBridge design system.
Another picture of the Second Link Crossing between Singapore and Malyasia.
Graphic Examples
The following photos are illustrative a few of the customized graphics components developed by AIC.
One of the challenges in desiging bridges and other engineering structures is finding the mistakes before the structure is built. MetamericBridge design software has tools built in to it that assist the bridge design engineer to ensure that mistakes are found before it's too late. The use of these tools enables the civil engineer to see mistakes, such as the one in this bridge section where the road surface of the bridge alignment data drops when it should be a continous and smooth surface. This error was caught by the verification software. This is a image used for verification from one of the projects that used the software, the Pakse bridge in Laos.
Interoperation with AutoCAD was important on the bridge projects. This image shows the segments of one of the lanes of the a segmental bridge output to AutoCAD for viewing and close inspection.
AIC designed and implemented the above customized Graphical User Interface (GUI) especially for easy specification of Varying the horizontal offsets of the segments from the bridge's center geometry alignment. This GUI made use of Bezier curves for producing a smooth curve. The Bezier curves were also used in displaying the information to the user. Ultimately the user is able to adjust the Bezier curves and thus adjust the bridge alignment as needed.
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