
BIM Solutions
for Bridge Engineering
ALLPLAN has developed a unique, integrated BIM solution especially for the requirements of bridge construction. Products cover the areas of reinforcement and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Bridge Construction Software
More quality and efficiency through BIM in Bridge Construction

Industry challenges
Lack of design quality due to inconsistent data
The structural integrity of bridges is a central issue in civil engineering. If this is at risk, costly and time-consuming repair measures, up to and including demolition become necessary. In the worst case, bridges collapse with the loss of life.
The lack of quality in bridge structures often has its origins in the design and construction phases due to inconsistent design data coming from different data sources and formats from different parties being involved. In this way the individual bridge models (geometric, static, structural) do not match exactly.
Furthermore, both the number and the complexity of infrastructure projects continues to increase. In combination with an expanding globalization of projects and project teams, this leads to ever greater time and cost pressures.

Solution approach
Increase design quality through BIM
To get a grip on the challenges in worldwide bridge construction a "single source of truth" is needed, a common bridge model in which the data from the geometric model, the structural analysis model and the detailing are combined. The solution is Building Information Modeling or BIM.
The "single source of truth" is achieved through a central BIM model, which represents the parametric 3D geometry of the bridge, but also serves as an analytical model for static and dynamic calculations along the time axis. Any change to one of these models affects all phases in the life cycle of the bridge. Therefore, all information is preserved, and it is no longer necessary to create multiple models for the different phases.

Solution with ALLPLAN
What ALLPLAN offers the bridge construction industry
With ALLPLAN's innovative BIM solution, bridge engineers can create an intelligent digital 4D model of the bridge structure, construction process, structural analysis, design and detailing. This improves the planning process both in terms of time and quality. Essentially, this is achieved by creating a detailed geometric model and a structural analysis model in a common environment and by integrating time-related data into the model.

Benefits for Bridge Engineers
Innovative solution for BIM in bridge construction
The use of BIM in bridge construction delivers many benefits. Due to clear, coordinated processes, deadlines can be better met. The quality of the continuously optimized bridge design increases, together with the structural analysis and code-dependent design, as well as through fast construction variant comparisons. On the construction site, there are fewer delays due to design and planning errors and therefore construction is more cost-effective. Finally, all parties involved benefit from smooth data exchange through openBIM. With the innovative BIM solution for bridge engineering from Allplan you ...
- Design and build attractive and safer bridges
- Reliably meet your deadlines and budget targets
- Optimize transparency, communication and coordination through open data exchange and BIM

Products
Allplan Bridge – the professional BIM solution for bridge construction
Allplan Bridge is the professional BIM solution for modeling, analysis, design, and detailing. Engineers work with a single solution from parametric model creation with high level of detail including prestressing to integration of the construction process, structural analysis, reinforcement design and detailing.
Design your bridges more efficiently:
- The world’s first complete solution for bridge engineers
- Common parametric 4D model for structural analysis, code-based design, detailing and drawing production
- openBIM workflows with other disciplines and products
Advantages of the Allplan Bridge solution

Model creation without compromise
Allplan Bridge has been developed by recognized bridge experts. The 3D parametric model description considers the road layout, bridge alignment and required cross-sections, making model configuration quick and efficient. Complex geometries including double-curved alignment and variable cross-sections can be created easily. The user only needs to define typical cross-sections and Allplan Bridge will accurately calculate all cross-section variants in accordance with the defined table(s) or/and formula(s).

Structural Analysis
A global static analysis based on the Bernoulli beam theory is performed for all automatically and manually generated calculation actions defined previously in the construction sequence definition. The analysis is enhanced to accurately consider the cross-section variation. Furthermore, the nonlinear calculation of time dependent effects is performed, considering design code formulas.

Code Based Design
Design of necessary reinforcement area is based on both ULS and SLS requirements. Governing combinations of internal forces including 2nd order effects are checked against flexural, torsional and shear resistance and the requirements for stress limitations and crack width. The greater of calculated or any manually specified reinforcement amount is used for code assessments of the cross-sections.
The Allplan solution portfolio for bridge construction

Allplan Bridge is the professional BIM solution for bridge construction. Engineers work with a single solution from parametric model creation with a high level of detail including prestressing to integration of the construction process and structural analysis of the bridge model.

Allplan is the ultimate BIM solution to meet the challenges of the construction industry and benefit from the digital transformation. BIM software and ALLPLAN's industry-leading collaboration and integration tools form the ideal combination.

Allplan Bimplus is the ultimate open BIM platform for all disciplines to collaborate efficiently in building projects. BIM model data, information, documents and tasks are managed centrally over the complete building life cycle.