VDOT LRFD Software

Andy Zickler
VDOT Structure and Bridge
Division
Central Office
September 8, 2006
 VDOT LRFD Software

• VDOT does not plan to require

consultants to use particular software for
LRFD bridge design
– VDOT reviewed and evaluated many software
packages while setting up the transition to LRFD.
– VDOT has elected to purchase LRFD analysis and
design software instead of developing software in-
house.
– The software was selected for internal use based on
the ability to meet VDOT’s in-house design needs. In
most cases VDOT found at least two software
programs that would meet its needs for design. The
final decision between two equal packages was
based on lowest cost.
 VDOT LRFD Software

• VDOT will continue to require consultants to

provide a rating for all curved steel structures
– Ratings for LRFD designs will be required using
DESCUS (published by Best Software)
• VDOT will begin requiring ratings by
consultants for other bridge types on all
future contracts
– VDOT expects that most other ratings will be completed
using VIRTIS®.
– VIRTIS® is published by AASHTO.
 VDOT Selected LRFD Software

• The software programs purchased by

VDOT for in-house use are:
– Conspan by Leap Software – Prestressed Beams
– Merlin DASH by Best Software – Steel Girders
– ABLRFD by PennDOT -Abutments
– Brass Pier LRFD by Wyoming DOT
– Brass Culvert LRFD by Wyoming DOT
– OPIS® AASHTO Bridgeware
 VDOT Selected LRFD Software

• In addition to the specialty programs

VDOT will also be using:
– STAAD by Research Engineers International
– MathCAD by Mathsoft

• VDOT will continue to design

elastomeric bearings using Lampad
which was written by VDOT.
 VDOT LRFD Software

• Question:
Should I purchase and use the software
that VDOT uses internally?
• Answer:
VDOT is not requiring or endorsing the
lease/purchase or recommending the
lease/purchase of any particular design
software. Curved girders must be rated
using DESCUS. Within the next year, other
structures must be rated using VIRTIS®
 VDOT LRFD Transition

• VDOT will publish example designs

during its transition to LRFD. The
examples are based on actual bridges
constructed in the Commonwealth.
All examples published by VDOT will
be developed using the selected
software and validated using hand
computations.
 VDOT Selected LRFD Software

Questions??

Andy Zickler
(804) 371-2776
VDOT Structure and Bridge Division
Central Office
September 8, 2006
andy.zickler@VDOT.Virginia.gov