SAM Module Descriptions

Please click on a Product Code to review its detailed description.

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General Description of SAM

• Introduction

SAM is a program which assists with the design of reinforced concrete, precast pretensioned and steel composite section bridges, and for general concrete sections.

• AASHTO

References in the SAM module Product Descriptions to AASHTO LRFD refer to the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications 2nd Edition (1998) with the 1999, 2000 and 2001 Interim Revisions.

• Principal Facilities

The principal facilities of each module of SAM are described in the attached detailed Product Descriptions.

• Materials Supplied

- Software on CD

- User reference manual on CD

• Software Maintenance

Software maintenance is required for all modules of SAM.

- Materials supplied

Software updates on Internet

Updates to manuals on Internet

Software update release notes

• Dependencies

- Computer (lowest possible specification):

IBM compatible Pentium computer with keyboard, mouse, SVGA color screen, 16 Mb RAM, Windows '95/NT, local hard disk.

- Computer (recommended minimum specification)

IBM compatible Pentium 200 computer with keyboard, mouse, SVGA color screen, 32 Mb RAM, Windows '95/NT, 1Gb+ disk space.

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S.01 - Section Properties (including Torsion Constant) for any Section

• Graphical Section generator containing shape libraries for:

- Parametric shapes:

Rectangle, Circle, Annulus, Voided Slab, H, I, L, T, U, X, Z

- Regular polygons

- Standard precast concrete beams

Bulb-Tee, I-Girder, Multi-stem Tee, Double Tee, Channel, Single Tee, Box Beam, Voided Slab and Solid Slab

- Standard steel sections (AISC):

W, M, S and HP shapes, Standard Channel (C), Miscellaneous Channel (MC), Angles (L) and Standard Tees (WT, MT, and ST

• Graphical section definer for sections comprising straight lines and arcs (100 nodes maximum).
• Graphical section editor for building complex sections comprising up to 20 individual shapes.
• Graphical reinforcement generator with up to 999 reinforcing bars and up to 999 prestressing tendons.
• Section, bar and tendon data may be imported and/or exported using ASCII text files.
• Printer set-up for printing output for all modules.
• Page heading set-up for printed and graphical output for all modules.
• Option for changing units for input and output for all modules.

- Default SI units

- Default US Units

- Customized Units

• Section property calculations for:

- cross section area

- ixx, iyy second moments of area

- iuu, ivv ditto about principal axes

- alpha angle from global axes to principal axes

- ixy product moment of inertia

- xbar, ybar centroid coordinates

• The above properties are calculated for:

- gross section

- transformed section (to any E value)

- net transformed section

• For torsion calculations:

- Calculation of the torsion constant "C" using Prandtl's membrane analogy solved using finite difference equations.

- The finite difference mesh may contain up to 2500 points on a rectangular grid, the maximum number in any one direction being 99.

- For sections comprising more than one element, the same E value must be assumed for the whole of the section.

- The section may include any number of voids subject to the limitations of 20 shapes in total.

- The defined section may have sides designated as "continuous", for example, break lines within a continuous slab.

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S.02 - Temperature Gradient Analysis for any Section

For all sections defined using module S.01:

• Temperature gradient generator for:

- AASHTO LRFD Article 3.12.3

- Any temperature profile that can be defined by up to 20 temperatures within the depth of the section.

• Calculation of relaxing axial forces and moments and self equilibrating stresses, using the method as described by Hambly ["Bridge Deck Behavior", 2nd Edition, E & F N Spon, 1991].
• The calculations can be set to either ignore or include any reinforcement present.

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S.04 - Design and Rating of Concrete Sections

• For sections defined using module S.01 comprising concrete with reinforcement and/or prestressed tendons:

- AASHTO LRFD Strength Limit State analysis to Article 5.7.2.1

- AASHTO LRFD Service Limit State analysis to Article 5.7.1

• Graphical material properties definition from the following libraries:

- Concrete

- Reinforcement

- Prestress tendons

Includes facilities for user defined parameters for stress/strain relationships, E values and stress limitations.
• Loading for the stress analysis may be any combination of axial load, bending about the global x axis, bending about the global y axis, applied strain plane.
• The applied strain plane loading may be applied to any individual element of the section, thus enabling staged construction to be analyzed.
• Loading options may be used to:

- Specify Mx and/or My and/or Ax to calculate stresses and strains

- Find limiting capacity for section for positive Mx or My or Ax, or negative Mx or My.

- Specify some loads as first option, and find additional loads as second option, which load section to its capacity.

• Calculation of Resistance Factor from AASHTO LRFD Article 5.5.4.2.1 for the combination of loadings specified.

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B.01 - Design of Steel Composite Beams

• Graphical Section generator and beam elevation generator for beams comprising:

- Rolled steel standard beam section or I section plate girder

- Rectangular concrete slab on top of girder

- One or two layers of reinforcement in the slab

- Rectangular or trapezoidal concrete haunch between the steel girder and concrete slab.

- Concrete slab edge detail of any shape.

- Lateral bracing to compression flanges.

- Web stiffeners

- Shaped elevation to bottom flange

• The beam elevation may comprise up to 5 different sections specified at up to 20 different locations along the beam.
• Loadings which may be specified are Strength Limit State & Service Limit State moments and shears for:

- Temperature gradient secondary moments - positive case.

- Temperature gradient secondary moments - reverse case.

- Shrinkage modified by creep secondary moments (long term effects).

- Settlement of supports.

- Beam constructibility.

- Construction stages (up to 3 allowed) for staged concreting along the elevation of the beam.

- Wearing surface and other superimposed dead load.

- Moments and associated Shears for worst positive and negative moment load cases.

- Worst Shear and associated Moments.

- Shear Force range for fatigue.

• The load effects data may be entered by:

- Direct entry on screen.

- Reading from ASCII text file.

- Generating from applied trapezoidal beam loads.

- Reading from analysis program results (SAM analysis module required).

• Calculation to AASHTO LRFD Article 6.10.4, Article 6.10.5, Article 6.10.6 and Article 6.10.7 as appropriate for the following options:

- Moments during construction at the relevant stages

- Moments for worst positive or negative moment load case

- Shear Force

- Shear Force + associated Moments (Interaction plot may be produced)

- Longitudinal Shear Force for Strength and Fatigue Limit States

- Shrinkage modified by creep, primary stresses.

- Temperature Gradient primary stresses

Options to include effects of shrinkage / creep or temperature gradient; to use the Q formulae if applicable, and to include or exclude the haunch stiffness.

• Calculation of distribution factors to AASHTO LRFD Article 4.6.2.2
• Graphical results plot of permissible stresses and actual stresses (or permissible and actual moments (Strength Limit State) or permissible and actual shears as appropriate)
• Logical selection of loadings during design (e differential shrinkage/creep included only if adverse).
• Fully detailed hand calculation style output and tabular summaries are produced for all the calculations listed above.

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B.03 - Design of Precast Girders

• Graphical Section generator and beam elevation generator for beams comprising:

- Standard precast concrete beams:

- Bulb-Tee, I-Girder, Multi-stem Tee, Double Tee, Channel, Single Tee, Box Beam, Voided Slab and Solid Slab

- User defined precast concrete beam shape.

- Standard in situ concrete shapes.

- User defined in situ concrete shapes (e for parapet upstands).

- Additional steel reinforcement.

• Graphical tendon editor for fast insertion and removal at standard locations, or debonding, or harping. The editor is accessible directly from calculations screen allowing fast modification and repeat analyses.
• The beam elevation may comprise up to 5 different sections specified at up to 20 different locations along the beam, with varying soffit and/or crown heights.
• Loadings which may be specified are Strength Limit State & Service Limit State moments and shears for:

- Temperature gradient secondary moments - positive case.

- Temperature gradient secondary moments - reverse case.

- Shrinkage modified by creep secondary moments (long term effects).

- Settlement of supports.

- Beam erection (e temporary supports).

- Construction stages (up to 3 superimposed stages allowed, stage 1 may be split into 2 longitudinal stages)

- Wearing surface load.

- Moments and associated Shears (5 cases allowing for both simply supported and continuous loadings).

The transient loading items for the Service Limit State may be given as either Service I or Service III
• The load effects data may be entered by:

- Direct entry on screen.

- Reading from ASCII text file.

- Generating from applied trapezoidal beam loads.

- Reading from analysis program results (SAM analysis module required).

• Calculation to AASHTO LRFD Article 5.7.2.1 for Strength Limit State and Article 5.9 for Service Limit State, for the following options:

- Moments at transfer

- Moments during erection

- Moments at construction stages

- Transient load moments for simply supported condition, and for continuous condition

- Shear + associated Moments

- Longitudinal Interface Shear

- Shrinkage modified by creep, primary stresses.

- Temperature Gradient primary stresses

• Calculation of distribution factors to AASHTO LRFD Article 4.6.2.2
• Graphical results plot of permissible stresses and actual stresses (or permissible and actual moments (Strength Limit State) or permissible and actual shears as appropriate)
• Logical selection of loadings during design (e differential shrinkage/creep included only if adverse).
• Fully detailed hand calculation style output and tabular summaries are produced for all the calculations listed above.

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A.04 - Advanced 3D framework and Finite Element Analysis, including a Graphical Analysis Data Generator

• 2D and 3D framework and finite element analysis
• No imposed limits on model size, load cases, combinations and envelopes, subject to available computer memory and hard disk space
• Element library includes:

- 2 noded beam members

- 3 or 4-noded thin shell finite elements

- Combined use of full element library in a single model

• Generation of Design Lines (Centerlines of structure and bridged obstruction)

- Arcs (only for grillage structures)

- Straight Lines

- Polylines (future enhancement)

• Generation of Roadways and Sidewalks

- Defined by offsets to Design Lines

- Single / dual roadways

- Variable width roadways and sidewalks

- Notional lanes generated automatically in accordance with associated design code specifications, or user defined

- User specified notional lane loaded width locations

• Definable Construction Lines for setting out grillage

- Offset from Design lines

- Absolute coordinates

• Generation of Span-end Lines

- Dynamic object snap; grid, nearest, endpoint, intersection

• Generation of beam member grillage and thin shell finite element meshes

- Fully configurable mesh for any shape bounded by four sides. Mesh may be:

Skew

Orthogonal to span

Orthogonal to lines of support

Orthogonal to Design Line (Curved or straight)

Splay or Splay Orthogonal to Design Line

Refined finite element sub-regions (e.g. for use near supports)

- Additional individual members

• Generation of Sub-models

- Selection of anchor position to member edge in 'bridge deck', another 'sub-model' or 'any member'

- Orientation vectors to define sub-model plane

- Setting out lines

- Construction lines

- Beam member generation

Single members

String of members

Split members

- Finite element meshes

- Copy sub-model to a different plane

• Special beam member definition:

- Truss members

- Tension only members

- Compression only members

- Cable members (i.e. tension only + truss)

• Advanced beam member options:

- End releases (6 degrees of freedom)

- Sprung, fractional and limited releases

- Member limits (e.g. for plastic analysis)

- Member eccentricities

• Special finite element definition:

- Membrane action only

- Bending action only

• Generation of Supports

- Fixed, free and elastic support conditions

- 6 degrees of freedom

- Lift-off supports

- Supports with elastic limits

- Supports with plastic limits

• Import of general 2D/3D structure geometry

- ASCII list of

Joint coordinates

Beam member and finite element incidences

- Deck member definition and carriageway alignment tools

- Support for importing structure geometry in Drawing Interchange File (DXF) format, from CAD packages

• Creation of Beam and Section Properties

- Automatic section properties from direct association with section and beam modules (licenses of these modules are not required)font>

- Draw parametric sections:

Rectangle, Circle, Annulus, Voided Slab, H, I, L, T, U, X, Z

- Continuous slab, defined by thickness

- User defined section properties

- Specification of Beam Shear Area and Torsion Constant, and Beam Twist

• Calculation of Finite Element Properties

- Element thickness

- Isotropic or orthotropic material

• Advanced finite element properties

- Local axes alignment

- Conforming sides and fictitious stiffness

- Element elasticity matrices

• Graphical specification of post-tensioning cables
• Calculation of post-tensioning losses
• Calculation of load effects due to post-tensioning
• Graphical assignment of section property data to beam members and finite elements
• Creation of joint, beam member, finite element and area patch loads

- Point loads (joint and beam)

- Uniformly distributed loads

- Linearly varying loads (beam)

- Bridge deck patch loads

- Hydrostatic loads (finite element)

- Support displacements

- Temperature loads

- Distortion loads (beam)

- Initial stress and strain loads (finite element)

• Definition of Highway Loads

- Design Truck

- Design Tandem

- Lane Load

- Fatigue Truck

- Owner Specified Vehicle / Permit Vehicle

- Double Design Truck

- Double Tandem

• Generation of influence surface for joint, beam and finite element detail

- Support reaction and joint displacement

- Bending, shear and axial load effects

- Automatic load case generation for most adverse position of any highway load

• Comprehensive tools for reporting model input data and output results both graphically and in tabular format
• Automatic transfer of analysis results to the beam design modules for code-checking, or saved as plain text files for post processing:
• Slab reinforcement moment calculations

- Graphical specification of multiple reinforcement layers; major and minor steel directions, moment capacity ratios for assessment

- Wood and Armer method for design

- Denton and Burgoyne method for rating

• Composite Results

- Graphical definition of 2D or 3D composite member including beams and finite elements, with associated composite axis

- Automatic generation of composite members and axes for integration with beam design modules

- Automatic calculation of composite moments and forces along composite axis

• Staged Construction Analysis:

- Graphical selection of beam members, finite elements and supports for each stage

- Assignment of construction stage loadings

- Individual stage load effects and visual simulation of cumulative load effects from previous stages