Integrated BIM tools, including Revit, AutoCAD, and Civil 3D
Professional CAD/CAM tools built on Inventor and AutoCAD
An introduction to Autodesk's integrated tools for collaborative bridge design, from conceptualization in InfraWorks to detailed analysis with Autodesk Structural Bridge Design.
Type:
Tutorial
Length:
11 min.
Transcript
00:00
Bridges are an essential component of transportation networks all over the world
00:07
and bring unique challenges for bridge engineering professionals.
00:12
With the design process broken down across three stages and across many disciplines,
00:16
the Autodesk Bridge Design workflow helps improve collaboration and data exchange
00:21
by providing an integrated design process where bridge professionals can work together efficiently.
00:29
Infraworks lies at the center of this workflow, with the bridge model and surrounding terrain forming the basis of the project.
00:37
As the design process proceeds, the bridge design data can be exchanged with other design professionals
00:43
using the appropriate tools.
00:46
In the early stages, the conceptual design will be developed in Infraworks.
00:50
This can then be shared to the road designers through Civil 3D in order to assist with the early road design.
01:04
In order to maximize the benefits of collaboration, the project data will be stored on the Autodesk Construction Cloud.
01:11
Once the initial setup is complete, project collaborators can be invited to the project and data structures can be created.
01:21
Folder level permissions can then be assigned to the teams and individuals, and the products connected to the data structures.
01:37
Having created the initial Infraworks model, the designer can start the process by exploring the root options,
01:44
laying down an alignment, and making the necessary adjustments to arrive at a workable solution.
01:51
The vertical alignment can also be viewed and adjusted in a profile view to suit the terrain.
02:02
The designer can also make some initial choices over how the road assembly will be made up
02:07
by adding individual road components from the library to the road assembly.
02:17
At this stage it is also possible to add road decorations, such as lighting barriers and railings,
02:23
and add those to the library for future use.
02:35
Once a road solution is in place, a new bridge structure can be automatically generated by specifying the start and finishing stations.
02:44
The resulting bridge structure that has been created with the built-in heuristic rules can then be adapted parametrically.
02:53
The alignment can still be adjusted, for example, and the whole bridge will rebuild automatically,
02:59
and the road cross section can still be modified.
03:03
At this early stage, it is important that the bridge structure remains flexible.
03:08
Optioneering will need to take place, cycling through designs that will not only change the geometries
03:14
but also the form and material used.
03:19
This provides the ability to iterate as many times as is necessary to arrive at the best solution,
03:25
ensuring an improvement in the ultimate design quality.
03:29
As the iteration process continues, a point will be reached where the structure will need to be analyzed,
03:35
and the girders designed in order to ensure that the proposed solution or solutions are ultimately workable.
03:49
Where the design iterations are ongoing, the designer can use the Line Girder Analysis and Girder Design tool
03:55
to quickly understand the viability of proposed solutions, ensuring a reduction in errors and rework at the later stages.
04:05
The Line Girder Analysis tool provides an analysis of the current solution, a live load optimization, and a full Girder design,
04:13
including checkable design reports.
04:18
Using these tools, the designer can create very quickly many different design options,
04:23
covering a multitude of structural forms with a variety of design materials along many different routes.
04:37
In order to maximize the benefits of improved collaboration, the resulting design, including the terrain and the fall bridge model,
04:46
can be published and shared to Civil 3D, where the road designer can use this information as the basis of the road design.
04:57
As the project moves into the preliminary stage, the design will be refined and the benefits of documentation automation,
05:05
such as increased workload capacity, will be gained.
05:10
Refining the design is a relatively simple process, using the library of parametric components
05:15
and modifying them to achieve the desired result.
05:20
Each component can be replaced by selecting alternatives from the library,
05:24
and modifications can be easily made by adjusting the exposed parameters.
05:30
These changes can then be applied to other parts of the structure.
05:41
When documentation is required, this can be produced in Civil 3D and Revit.
05:46
For Civil 3D, automated output can be produced around the road and grading,
05:51
but also for the bridge structure itself, such as developed long sections.
05:57
The same published data that is utilized in Civil 3D can also be consumed in Revit.
06:03
Revit can use this published data to create deliverables such as 3D views, plans, sections and elevations
06:10
of the bridge structure automatically together with material take offs.
06:18
At the detailed, or final design stage, modelling flexibility will ensure that the ultimate solution
06:24
exceeds design requirements and that the design is delivered with a reduction in overall design time
06:30
by the further use of automated tools, such as Revit, Inventor, and Structural Bridge Design.
06:44
During the final design process, a more detailed investigation of how the structure is performing will be required.
06:50
Autodesk Structural Bridge Design can produce highly automated structural models directly from the Infraworks model.
06:59
Once the structural model has been produced, the process of analyzing the structure can commence.
07:05
This starts with an influence surface generation, followed by a live load optimization and finally, the structural analysis.
07:14
These analysis results can then be passed to the individual girders and their response checked against the relevant design code.
07:22
For complex girders such as pretension concrete girders, a rapid solution can be found with the use of tendon optimization,
07:30
which will use a generative design process to identify least cost working arrangements of tendons.
07:38
The resulting design can then be interacted with, modifications made and checked again against the design code.
07:46
Full calculation design reports can be instantly produced for any position along the length of the girder
07:52
for checking and subsequent submission to the relevant authority.
07:57
For more complex structures, finite element models can also be automatically generated
08:02
and brought into this workflow.
08:10
At the final design stages, modelling flexibility is essential in order to exceed design requirements.
08:18
Where standard library components cannot be used, custom user components can be created in either Inventor or Revit.
08:26
The Infraworks bridge modelling capability can then be extended by adding these newly created custom components.
08:34
These are configured during the import process and are then available in the component library together with the existing components.
08:42
Once the new custom components are in the system,
08:45
they behave in the same way as the supplied components.
08:50
When the bridge is published to Revit, Revit-generated parts can also be edited using the Properties panel.
08:56
Revit can also be used to produce 3D rebar modelling, drawing production,
09:04
and rebar scheduling for the concrete elements of the bridge structure quickly and easily.
09:18
At all stages of the design process, visualization is a key technique to increase stakeholder buy-in,
09:25
and this workflow offers a variety of visualization tools for the designer.
09:30
Infraworks offers a storyboard creator that can create compelling fly throughs,
09:35
and the model data can be exported for using other visualization tools.
09:40
Prospect can use that data to produce a rich VR experience that can be explored and interacted with at 1:1 scale.
09:49
Navigation features allow the stakeholder to move around the model with ease,
09:54
whilst the designer can keep track of the project with issue-tracking tools.
10:02
The same data can also be consumed by Twin Motion to create real-time realistic visualizations.
10:09
Twin Motion adds realism by giving the design of the opportunity to change surface materials, add trees, vegetation,
10:16
and other objects to enhance the environment.
10:20
The visualization can be moved to different times of day.
10:24
The designer also has control over the weather and can add moving objects such as vehicles and people.
10:31
If the designer wishes to share the visualization, a movie can be created using a storyboard,
10:37
which can then be exported and shared to stakeholders.
10:42
This comprehensive bridge design workflow helps bridge professionals drive business growth
10:47
by improving collaboration and data exchange, bringing different design disciplines together,
10:52
and reducing the overall design time with many automation tools.
Video transcript
00:00
Bridges are an essential component of transportation networks all over the world
00:07
and bring unique challenges for bridge engineering professionals.
00:12
With the design process broken down across three stages and across many disciplines,
00:16
the Autodesk Bridge Design workflow helps improve collaboration and data exchange
00:21
by providing an integrated design process where bridge professionals can work together efficiently.
00:29
Infraworks lies at the center of this workflow, with the bridge model and surrounding terrain forming the basis of the project.
00:37
As the design process proceeds, the bridge design data can be exchanged with other design professionals
00:43
using the appropriate tools.
00:46
In the early stages, the conceptual design will be developed in Infraworks.
00:50
This can then be shared to the road designers through Civil 3D in order to assist with the early road design.
01:04
In order to maximize the benefits of collaboration, the project data will be stored on the Autodesk Construction Cloud.
01:11
Once the initial setup is complete, project collaborators can be invited to the project and data structures can be created.
01:21
Folder level permissions can then be assigned to the teams and individuals, and the products connected to the data structures.
01:37
Having created the initial Infraworks model, the designer can start the process by exploring the root options,
01:44
laying down an alignment, and making the necessary adjustments to arrive at a workable solution.
01:51
The vertical alignment can also be viewed and adjusted in a profile view to suit the terrain.
02:02
The designer can also make some initial choices over how the road assembly will be made up
02:07
by adding individual road components from the library to the road assembly.
02:17
At this stage it is also possible to add road decorations, such as lighting barriers and railings,
02:23
and add those to the library for future use.
02:35
Once a road solution is in place, a new bridge structure can be automatically generated by specifying the start and finishing stations.
02:44
The resulting bridge structure that has been created with the built-in heuristic rules can then be adapted parametrically.
02:53
The alignment can still be adjusted, for example, and the whole bridge will rebuild automatically,
02:59
and the road cross section can still be modified.
03:03
At this early stage, it is important that the bridge structure remains flexible.
03:08
Optioneering will need to take place, cycling through designs that will not only change the geometries
03:14
but also the form and material used.
03:19
This provides the ability to iterate as many times as is necessary to arrive at the best solution,
03:25
ensuring an improvement in the ultimate design quality.
03:29
As the iteration process continues, a point will be reached where the structure will need to be analyzed,
03:35
and the girders designed in order to ensure that the proposed solution or solutions are ultimately workable.
03:49
Where the design iterations are ongoing, the designer can use the Line Girder Analysis and Girder Design tool
03:55
to quickly understand the viability of proposed solutions, ensuring a reduction in errors and rework at the later stages.
04:05
The Line Girder Analysis tool provides an analysis of the current solution, a live load optimization, and a full Girder design,
04:13
including checkable design reports.
04:18
Using these tools, the designer can create very quickly many different design options,
04:23
covering a multitude of structural forms with a variety of design materials along many different routes.
04:37
In order to maximize the benefits of improved collaboration, the resulting design, including the terrain and the fall bridge model,
04:46
can be published and shared to Civil 3D, where the road designer can use this information as the basis of the road design.
04:57
As the project moves into the preliminary stage, the design will be refined and the benefits of documentation automation,
05:05
such as increased workload capacity, will be gained.
05:10
Refining the design is a relatively simple process, using the library of parametric components
05:15
and modifying them to achieve the desired result.
05:20
Each component can be replaced by selecting alternatives from the library,
05:24
and modifications can be easily made by adjusting the exposed parameters.
05:30
These changes can then be applied to other parts of the structure.
05:41
When documentation is required, this can be produced in Civil 3D and Revit.
05:46
For Civil 3D, automated output can be produced around the road and grading,
05:51
but also for the bridge structure itself, such as developed long sections.
05:57
The same published data that is utilized in Civil 3D can also be consumed in Revit.
06:03
Revit can use this published data to create deliverables such as 3D views, plans, sections and elevations
06:10
of the bridge structure automatically together with material take offs.
06:18
At the detailed, or final design stage, modelling flexibility will ensure that the ultimate solution
06:24
exceeds design requirements and that the design is delivered with a reduction in overall design time
06:30
by the further use of automated tools, such as Revit, Inventor, and Structural Bridge Design.
06:44
During the final design process, a more detailed investigation of how the structure is performing will be required.
06:50
Autodesk Structural Bridge Design can produce highly automated structural models directly from the Infraworks model.
06:59
Once the structural model has been produced, the process of analyzing the structure can commence.
07:05
This starts with an influence surface generation, followed by a live load optimization and finally, the structural analysis.
07:14
These analysis results can then be passed to the individual girders and their response checked against the relevant design code.
07:22
For complex girders such as pretension concrete girders, a rapid solution can be found with the use of tendon optimization,
07:30
which will use a generative design process to identify least cost working arrangements of tendons.
07:38
The resulting design can then be interacted with, modifications made and checked again against the design code.
07:46
Full calculation design reports can be instantly produced for any position along the length of the girder
07:52
for checking and subsequent submission to the relevant authority.
07:57
For more complex structures, finite element models can also be automatically generated
08:02
and brought into this workflow.
08:10
At the final design stages, modelling flexibility is essential in order to exceed design requirements.
08:18
Where standard library components cannot be used, custom user components can be created in either Inventor or Revit.
08:26
The Infraworks bridge modelling capability can then be extended by adding these newly created custom components.
08:34
These are configured during the import process and are then available in the component library together with the existing components.
08:42
Once the new custom components are in the system,
08:45
they behave in the same way as the supplied components.
08:50
When the bridge is published to Revit, Revit-generated parts can also be edited using the Properties panel.
08:56
Revit can also be used to produce 3D rebar modelling, drawing production,
09:04
and rebar scheduling for the concrete elements of the bridge structure quickly and easily.
09:18
At all stages of the design process, visualization is a key technique to increase stakeholder buy-in,
09:25
and this workflow offers a variety of visualization tools for the designer.
09:30
Infraworks offers a storyboard creator that can create compelling fly throughs,
09:35
and the model data can be exported for using other visualization tools.
09:40
Prospect can use that data to produce a rich VR experience that can be explored and interacted with at 1:1 scale.
09:49
Navigation features allow the stakeholder to move around the model with ease,
09:54
whilst the designer can keep track of the project with issue-tracking tools.
10:02
The same data can also be consumed by Twin Motion to create real-time realistic visualizations.
10:09
Twin Motion adds realism by giving the design of the opportunity to change surface materials, add trees, vegetation,
10:16
and other objects to enhance the environment.
10:20
The visualization can be moved to different times of day.
10:24
The designer also has control over the weather and can add moving objects such as vehicles and people.
10:31
If the designer wishes to share the visualization, a movie can be created using a storyboard,
10:37
which can then be exported and shared to stakeholders.
10:42
This comprehensive bridge design workflow helps bridge professionals drive business growth
10:47
by improving collaboration and data exchange, bringing different design disciplines together,
10:52
and reducing the overall design time with many automation tools.
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