Descus I User Manual, Revision 12A, May 2010

WIN - DESCUS I
DESIGN AND ANALYSIS
OF
CURVED I-GIRDER BRIDGE SYSTEMS
USER MANUAL
By
Production Software, Inc.
Revision 12A
May 2010
DESCUS I
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND CAPABILITIES ....................................................................................1-1
1.1 Overview...............................................................................................................................................1-1
2.0 PROGRAM OPERATION...............................................................................................................................2-1
2.1 Using WIN-DESCUSI/II ......................................................................................................................2-1

2.2 Input Utility ..........................................................................................................................................2-5
2.3 Run Utility ..........................................................................................................................................2-13
2.4 Print Utility .........................................................................................................................................2-15
3.0 INPUT FOR DESCUS I PREPROCESSOR...................................................................................................3-1
3.1 System Input .........................................................................................................................................3-1

Data Type 0101-0103: Structure/Project Data & Options ..............................................................3-1
Data Type 0104: Structure/Shear Connector .........................................................................3-3
Data Type 0105: Structure/Control Options ..........................................................................3-4
3.2 Special Options .....................................................................................................................................3-6
Data Type 02015: Structure/Barrier for LL Deflection ...........................................................3-6
Data Type 02011: Structure/Elastic Support............................................................................3-7
Data Type 02012: Structure/Negative Rebar ...........................................................................3-8
Data Type 02013: Structure/Line Load ...................................................................................3-9
3.3 Optional Live Load Distribution and Impact Factors .........................................................................3-10
3.3.1 Optional Live Load Distribution Factors ..............................................................................3-10
Data Type 0301: Load/Live Load Factors ...........................................................................3-10
3.3.2 Definition of Impact Factors for Arbitrary Trucks ...............................................................3-11
Data Type 0311: Load/Impact Factors.................................................................................3-11
3.4 Details and Loading ............................................................................................................................3-12
Data Type 0401: Structure/Details (1) .................................................................................3-12
Data Type 0402: Structure/Details (2) .................................................................................3-14
Data Type 0402: Structure/Concrete....................................................................................3-16
Data Type 0403: Loads/Live Loads.....................................................................................3-17
Data Type 0404: Loads/Non-AASHTO Trucks ..................................................................3-19
3.5 Steel Sections ......................................................................................................................................3-20
Data Type 0501A: Sections/Steel Plate Girders .....................................................................3-20
Data Type 0501B: Sections/Truss ..........................................................................................3-22
Data Type 0501C: Computed Section ....................................................................................3-23
3.6 Girder Geometry .................................................................................................................................3-25
Data Type 0601: Connectivity/Supports..............................................................................3-25
3.7 Girder Connectivity Definition ...........................................................................................................3-26
Data Type 0701: Connectivity/Girders ................................................................................3-26
Data Type 0702: Connectivity/Kink Definition...................................................................3-28
Data Type 0603: Connectivity/Bifurcation..........................................................................3-29
3.8 Definition of Diaphragms ...................................................................................................................3-30
Data Type 0801: Connectivity/Diaphragms.........................................................................3-30
3.9 Definition of Arbitrary Loads .............................................................................................................3-31
Data Type 0950: Loads/Distributed.....................................................................................3-31
Data Type 0955: Loads/Concentrated..................................................................................3-32
Data Type 0960: Loads/Displacements ...............................................................................3-33
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DESCUS I
4.0 OUTPUT ............................................................................................................................................................4-1
4.1 Verification of Input..............................................................................................................................4-1

4.2 Output Tables........................................................................................................................................4-1
5.0 METHODOLOGY............................................................................................................................................5-1
5.1 Structural Model ...................................................................................................................................5-1

5.2 Dead Load Calculations ........................................................................................................................5-2
5.3 Live Load Calculations .........................................................................................................................5-4
5.3.1 Loads ......................................................................................................................................5-4
5.3.2 Default Distribution of Live Load ..........................................................................................5-4
5.3.3 User-Specified Live Load Distribution Factor........................................................................5-5
5.3.4 Application of Loads ..............................................................................................................5-9
5.3.5 Influence Surface Example.....................................................................................................5-9
5.3.6 Distribution of Moment of Inertia...........................................................................................5-9
5.3.7 Impact Factors ......................................................................................................................5-10
5.4 Stress Calculations ..............................................................................................................................5-11
5.4.1 Primary Stresses Due to Bending .........................................................................................5-11
5.4.2 Total Stress Calculation ........................................................................................................5-12
5.5 Rating Procedures ...............................................................................................................................5-13
5.5.1 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................5-13
5.5.2 Working Stress Rating (WSR)..............................................................................................5-13
5.5.3 Load Factor Rating (LFR) ....................................................................................................5-14
5.5.4 Rating Example Problem ......................................................................................................5-15
6.0 REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................................................6-1
APPENDIX A: DESCUS I EXAMPLE PROBLEM ......................................................................................A-1
APPENDIX B: PRE & POST PROCESSOR UTILITY PROGRAMS FOR DESCUS I............................ B-1.1
B.1 Distribution Factor Utility Program (DF) ........................................................................... B-1.1

B.1.1 Input Description for DF Utility Program ............................................................ B-1.1
Data Type 0601, 0602: Auto/Distribution Factor.......................................................... B-1.1
Data Type 0701, 0703: Auto/Distribution Factor.......................................................... B-1.2
B.1.2 Input Sheet for DF Utility Program...................................................................... B-1.4
B.1.3 DF Utility Program Example Problem ................................................................. B-1.5
B.2 DESCUS Definition of Girder Geometry Based on Radius and Girder Spacings
B.3 DESCUSI AASHTO Checking Formula............................................................................ B-3.1
B.4 DESCUS-STAGE .............................................................................................................. B-4.1
B.4.1 Introduction to DESCUS-STAGE........................................................................ B-4.1
B.4.2 General Description of the Program ..................................................................... B-4.1
B.4.3 DESCUS-STAGE Data Input............................................................................... B-4.2
B.4.4 Example Problem for Construction Staging ......................................................... B-4.8
B.6 Curved Girder Design Procedures ...................................................................................... B-6.1
B.6.1 Flow Chart............................................................................................................ B-6.1
B.6.2 DESCUS-I Results to be Reviewed for Design.................................................... B-6.3
B.7 Use of Elastic Spring in DESCUS ..................................................................................... B-7.1
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DESCUS I
APPENDIX C: Summary of DESCUS-I Updates to 2003 New Specifications……………………………..C-1

APPENDIX D: DESCUS Rendering………………………………………………………………………...D-1
APPENDIX E: DESCUS Diagram………………………………………………………………………......E-1
APPENDIX F: Summary of DESCUS-I LRFD 4th Edition ...……………………………………………….F-1
APPENDIX G: Summary of DESCUS-I LRFD Live Load Deflection……………………………………..G-1
APPENDIX H: Visual DES-MESH Users Manual ...……………………………………………………….H-1
LIST OF TABLES/FIGURES
TABLE 1.1 Summary of System Features .................................................................................................1-3

TABLE 1.2 Summary of System Limitations ............................................................................................1-4
TABLE 3.1 Definition of Member Types ................................................................................................3-34
FIGURE 3.1 Details of Bridge Cross Section............................................................................................3-35
FIGURE 3.2 Girder Geometry...................................................................................................................3-36
FIGURE 3.3 Sign Convention for Radius………………………………………………………………...3-37
FIGURE 3.4 Joint and Member Definition................................................................................................3-38
FIGURE 5.1a Girder Spacing ........................................................................................................................5-8
FIGURE 5.1b Lane Locations........................................................................................................................5-8
FIGURE 5.1c Centrifugal Force and Super Elevation Effects.......................................................................5-8
FIGURE 5.1 Example Problem Framing Plan ...........................................................................................5-16
FIGURE 5.2 Moment Influence Lines for Joint 3 of Girder 2 ...................................................................5-17
FIGURE 5.3 Moment Influence Lines for Joint 6 of Girder 2 ...................................................................5-17
FIGURE 5.4 Torsion Influence Lines for Joint 3 of Girder 1 ....................................................................5-18
FIGURE 5.5 Shear Influence Lines for Joint 3 of Girder 1 .......................................................................5-18
FIGURE 5.6 Reaction Influence Lines for Support of Girder 1 ................................................................5-19
FIGURE 5.7 Moment Influence Lines of Diaphragm at Joint 3 of Girder 1..............................................5-19
FIGURE 5.8 Shear Influence Lines of Diaphragm of Joint 3 of Girder 1..................................................5-20
FIGURE 5.9 Placement of Live Load on Influence Surface......................................................................5-20
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DESCUS I
DISCLAIMER
The User of this Manual and the computer program referred to herein retains full control over and is solely
responsible for the design of all his structures and engineering plans prepared through the use of this program.
While Production Software Inc. (PSI) has taken every precaution to insure that all data and information set forth
in this program is as accurate as possible, and, while its staff endeavors to review and supplement the program on a
periodic basis, PSI is not responsible for any errors or oversights that may be contained in the program nor for the
accuracy of any information arrived at or of engineering plans prepared through the use of the program.
User shall review and verify all of the materials furnished; User agrees that no warranty is extended and no
responsibility is assumed by PSI for any errors, mistakes, or miscalculations that may occur through the use of the
program.
PSI shall not be liable for any special or consequential damages.
User agrees that PSI's responsibilities shall be limited to providing responses to questions user may have
regarding program operations, function, and capability, and to correcting program malfunctions.
Except for the negligence of PSI, its agents, representatives, or employees, User shall protect, indemnify, and
save harmless PSI of and from any loss, cost, damage, or expense arising from any claim that is in any way associated
with the computer program described in this Manual.
Data presented in examples do not necessarily reflect actual test results and should not be used as design
criteria.
CONFIDENTIALITY
The information contained in this Manual is considered confidential and not to be copied or reproduced in any
form whatever, nor is any information in this Manual to be disclosed to anyone other than an authorized representative of
the user's employer who also shall agree not to disclose same, without express prior written consent of PSI.
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DESCUS I
DESCUS I
DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF CURVED I-GIRDER BRIDGE SYSTEMS
1.0 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND CAPABILITIES
1.1 Overview
The computer program DESCUS I - (DESign and Analysis of CUrved I-Girder Bridge Systems) will
perform a complete analysis and partial design of a horizontally curved bridge composed of flanged homogeneous
or hybrid steel sections, which either act compositely or noncompositely with a concrete deck. The user can specify
the use of either the Working Stress Design (WSD) method, the Load Factor Design (LFD) method or Load and
Resistance Factor (LRFD) method. The input can be in English or SI units. The bridge may be of arbitrary plan
configuration and can be continuous and skewed over supports. The girders can have a high degree of curvature,
can be nonconcentric, and may contain hinges.
The program models the bridge structure as a two-dimensional grid in a stiffness method format with three
degrees-of-freedom at each nodal point (corresponding torsion, shear and bending properties are generated internally
from basic input). All dead load (DL) computations are performed automatically within the program to satisfy the
construction conditions specified by AASHTO. The user can input additional constant dead loads as desired. All
live load (LL) computations are also performed automatically where the AASHTO truck and lane loading (H, HS or
HL-93) are applied to an influence surface previously generated for the entire bridge. Dynamic impact (I) effects
are also included as outlined by AASHTO recommendations. Additionally, arbitrary truck configurations can also
be specified and individually or concurrently loaded with AASHTO loading.
The program output contains the positive and negative maximum moments, shears and torsion along with
the corresponding primary and warping stresses for each girder and beam or truss diaphragm element. These
maximums are given along with all AASHTO loading combinations for DL + LL + I. The output also includes
deformations along each girder for DL and maximum LL + I along with the allowable recommended by AASHTO.
Finally, various output tables yield information on the section design including maximum stresses, allowable
stresses, shear ranges, shear connector and stiffener spacings. All output is in tabular format.
The program will also perform rating calculations. Either the Working Stress Rating (WSR), the Load
Factor Rating (LFR) method or the Load and Resistance Factor Rating (LRFR) method can be chosen. To
accommodate the different rating allowables used throughout the country, the user has the option to use either
default rating values or user-defined values. The rating procedures of this program follow the latest AASHTO
“Manual for Condition Evaluation of Bridges”, “AASHTO Guide Specifications for Horizontally Curved Highway
Bridges,” and “LRFD Bridge Design Specifications.”
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DESCUS I
DESCUS I FEATURES
Bridge Model 2-Dimensional Grid w/ 3-Dimensional Influence Surface,
using Stiffness Method
Visual Des-Mesh Windows GUI application utility that provides the

DESCUS users abilities to build geometry models using
graphic mode;
Bridge Types Allowed Simple or Continuous Straight, Homogeneous or Hybrid

Steel Girder
Support/Construction Types Allowed Simple, Continuous, Elastic, Skewed, Composite,

Non-composite
Up to 13 Spans, 14 Supports (contact developer for more)
Design/Analysis Methods AASHTO Working Stress Design (2002 & all interims)
AASHTO Load Factor Design (2003 and all interims)
AASHTO Load and Resistance Factor Design (2009)
AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation (2009)
Unit Systems Supported English

SI
Steel Section Types Homogeneous or Hybrid Plate Girder

Up to 300 Unique Sections, 900 Joints, 900 Total
Girder Members may be defined
Girder Types Allowed Straight, Curved, Kinked

Up to 16 Girders are allowed (in this production version)
Diaphragm Types Allowed Rolled Beams, Plate Girders, “X”, “K” or Invert “K”
Trusses or arbitrary section. Up to 1000 Diaphragms
allowed
Live Load Maximum obtained for: AASHTO Lane Loading

Truck Loading
Sidewalk Loading
Interstate Vehicles
Up to 9 User-Defined Vehicles
Combination of the AASHTO and non-AASHTO loading
User Input Options Modular Ratios

(Default is standard AASTHO values) Impact Factors
Arbitrary Vehicle Configurations
Arbitrary Distributed and Concentrated Loads
Arbitrary Support Displacement
Output Options Basic

Detailed
w/ graphic geometry check, graphic output diagrams
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DESCUS I
TABLE 1.1 — SUMMARY OF SYSTEM FEATURES
No. ITEM AND DESCRIPTION
1.0 FEATURES
1.1 Program can process either AASHTO WSD, LFD or LRFD Method;
1.2 Conforms to the latest AASHTO LRFD Specifications with all interims and 2003 AASHTO Guide
Specifications with all interims for Load Factor Design and the latest AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation;
1.3 Homogeneous or Hybrid Steel plate girder and/or standard rolled steel flanged sections;
1.4 Automated DL according to AASHTO Specifications with modular ratios as specified by the user;
1.5 All LL maxima obtained automatically for all AASHTO lane, truck, and sidewalk loadings and interstate
vehicles. Other AASHTO vehicles, such as HS-25 and HL-93 can be processed;
1.6 All LL maxima for all non-AASHTO trucks, individually or concurrently loaded with AASHTO trucks;
1.7 Distribution factors can be defined separately for AASHTO lane, AASHTO truck and non-AASHTO truck
loading, including pre-calculated super-elevation effect and centrifugal force effect
1.8 All impact factors automatically computed either on the basis of the actual span length or loaded length (where
appropriate) or input by the user. Impact factors can be specified separately for AASHTO and non-AASHTO
vehicles;
1.9 Bridges may be simply supported or continuous over supports; skewed or non-skewed supports with no angle
limitation;
1.10 Elastic supports to simulate integral supports or other conditions may be specified;
1.11 Hinges may be positioned anywhere on girders;
1.12 Girders may be straight, curved, or kinked in any direction or combination to yield any plan configuration;
1.13 Basic or detailed output level may be selected by user in tabular format;
1.14 Bridge may be composite or non-composite construction; negative moment region can be considered composite,
non-composite with or without shear connectors;
1.15 Diaphragms may be either rolled beams, plate girders, “CS” sections, “X” , “K” or invert “K” trusses;
1.16 All analysis is performed on the entire bridge superstructure which is modeled as a 2-dimensional grid;
1.17 A code check is performed by specifying either working stress (WSD), load factor (LFD) or LRFD method;
1.18 Rating by either working stress (WSR), load factor (LFR) or LRFR method is optional;
1.19 Either English or SI Units can be chosen.
1.20 Distributed loads, concentrated loads, or support displacements can be input by the user.
1.21 Staging analysis is allowed.
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DESCUS I
TABLE 1.2 — SUMMARY OF SYSTEM LIMITATIONS
No. ITEM AND DESCRIPTION
2.0 LIMITATIONS
2.1 Maximum number of spans = 13
2.2 Maximum number of girders = 16
2.3 Maximum number of unique sections = 300
2.4 Maximum number of joints = 900
2.5 Maximum number of diaphragms = 1000
2.6 Maximum number of slab and wearing surface depths = 1
2.7 Maximum number of haunch depths and widths = 1
2.8 Maximum number of overhang widths = 2
2.9 Maximum number of sidewalk widths = 2
2.10 Maximum number of girder members = 900
2.11 Maximum number of joints/girders* = 200
2.12 Maximum number of joints/spans/girders* = 200
2.13 Maximum number of supports = 12
2.14 Maximum number of detail factors = 1
2.15 All loadings are those defined as standard AASHTO LL or DL with no other special effects allowed;
2.16 Program can process other specified AASHTO trucks such as HS25, HL-93;
2.17 Program can process up to 9 non-AASHTO trucks;
2.18 Program can apply the sidewalk loading to one side of the bridge only;
2.19 Program can process composite or non-composite bridges composed of steel open section only;
2.20 Program can process AASHTO Working Stress (WSD/WSR), Load Factor (LFD/LFR) or LRFD/LRFR Method
* Size limitation is internal within the program and can be recompiled with different sizes allowed by the
system.
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DESCUS
2.0 PROGRAM OPERATION

2.1 USING WIN-DESCUS
DESCUS is currently available for use on the Microsoft Windows 32/64-bit environment. This manual describes the
Windows version of DESCUS, hereafter referred to as WIN-DESCUS. This version utilizes a Windows-based pull-
down menu structure to access input of WIN-DESCUS, execution, graphing, and printing utilities.
2.1.1 BEFORE YOU BEGIN . . .
WIN-DESCUS has been designed to run on microcomputers that use the Microsoft Windows operating system. While
this manual provides step-by-step instructions in the use of WIN-DESCUS, it cannot address the specific operation of
every personal computer (PC). Before you begin, please ask yourself the following questions:
1. Are you familiar with the PC or microcomputer you are using?

2. Are you familiar with Microsoft Windows?
3. Do you have an understanding of the concepts and use of terms such as menus, help screens, cursor,
mouse, files, etc.?
4. Have you read/installed the WIN-DESCUS software using the installation instructions you received with
your system disks?
5. Have you filed your installation instructions with your other WIN-DESCUS reference materials?
If you cannot answer ‘Yes’ to all of these questions, please take the time to address them before continuing in this
manual.
When you are prepared to continue, take a moment to look over the Table of Contents provided at the beginning of this
manual. You will find that the remainder of this document illustrates the detailed use of the four basic utility functions of
WIN-DESCUS:
Section 2.2 Input Utility Section 2.3 Run Utility

Section 2.4 Print Utility Appendix E Diagram Graphics
The remainder of this section describes how to enter WIN-DESCUS and how to access the Main Menu.
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DESCUS
2.1.2 ACCESSING THE MAIN MENU

The WIN-DESCUS MAIN MENU is the main access screen to each of the utilities provided within the WIN-DESCUS
system. It is also the main return point when you have finished using one of the utilities.
If you have not done so yet, please refer to your installation instructions and install your WIN-DESCUS software.
If your PC is off, simply turn it on and run Microsoft Windows. After entering Windows, WIN-DESCUS can be run by
double-clicking the WIN-DESCUS icon. The WIN-DESCUS Introduction Screen now will be displayed on your
monitor.
This screen contains both the copyright statement and the version number of the WIN-DESCUS software you will be
using.
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DESCUS
2.1.3 THE WIN-DESCUS MAIN MENU
This screen allows you to access any of the five utilities available in WIN-DESCUS or to exit the program. The five
utilities available are the INPUT, RUN, PRINT, DIAGRAM GRAPHICS and HELP utilities.
INPUT Utility — allows you to create new bridge data files or to edit existing files. Once you have entered the details
of a structure, you then can save it for later use. For detailed instructions on using the pull-down menu system of the
INPUT Utility, refer to Section 2.2.
RUN Utility — allows you to execute the WIN-DESCUS program or WIN-DESCUS Staging utility program using the
data stored in any of your input data files. For detailed instructions on using the RUN Utility, refer to Section 2.3.
PRINT Utility — allows you to view and print the output files and tables. It also provides a directory of available
tables for your convenience. For instructions on using the PRINT Utility, refer to Section 2.4.
DIAGRAM GRAPHICS — allows you to view and print output graphic files. For instructions on using the Diagram
Graphics refer to Appendix E.
HELP Utility — allows you to view help for the Help basics, how to, commands and buttons. Help Utility may also be
accessed from Input Utility.
EXIT — allows you to exit WIN-DESCUS simply by clicking on the word ‘Exit’ in the WIN-DESCUS Main Menu or
by typing Alt-x on your keyboard.
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DESCUS
To access any of the utilities available on the Main Menu, use your mouse to position the cursor over the desired utility,
such as ‘INPUT,’ and click the mouse button once. A new screen will appear with a menu listing the options available
under that utility. By positioning the cursor again over a desired menu item and clicking the left mouse button, a
submenu will appear with additional options. With the cursor positioned over the desired option, click the mouse button
once to choose that option. Sections 2.2 – 2.4 will provide a step-by-step explanation of each of the options available
under each utility. Each of the utilities also can be accessed by pressing the appropriate underlined letter on the menu bar
while holding down the ALT key. For example, the INPUT Utility can be accessed by typing ALT-I, the RUN Utility by
typing ALT-R, etc. All the submenus in WIN-DESCUS also can be accessed by using the ALT key in this manner.
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DESCUS
2.2 INPUT UTILITY

The INPUT Utility provides to the user the ability to create new bridge information data files or to edit existing ones.
Clicking on the word ‘INPUT’ in the WIN-DESCUS Main Menu accesses the INPUT Utility. This brings up the WIN-
DESCUS INPUT Utility screen. There are eight submenus which can be accessed from this screen: ‘File,’ ‘Edit,’ ‘Input
Screen,’ ‘Go To,’ ‘Graphic’, ‘Visual Des-Mesh’, ‘Auto-DF’, and ‘Help’ as shown below.
FILE SUBMENU
By clicking on ‘File,’ a submenu appears with the options ‘New,’ ‘Open,’ ‘Save,’ ‘Save As,’ and ‘Exit.’
NEW
Clicking on ‘New’ in the submenu opens a new bridge data file. Bridge data then can be entered in each of the
input screens. Detailed information about the input screens is presented in the Input Screen section, below, and
in the on-line Help Menu.
Once you enter the Input Utility, the program automatically opens Input Screen Project Description.
OPEN
Clicking on ‘Open’ in the submenu opens the Open Data File screen.
Clicking on the box directly below ‘File Name,’ or typing ALT-N, positions the cursor in the box in the upper
left corner of the Open Data File Screen. Typing the name of a previously saved data file in this box and then
clicking on the ‘OK’ button or hitting the ‘Return’ key on the keyboard opens the file. Data files previously
saved under your WIN-DESCUS directory will appear in the larger box on the lower left side of the Open Data
File screen. Double clicking on the name of one of these files opens it. Scrolling through the ‘Directories’
and/or the ‘Drives’ boxes can access data files saved in other directories or drives. All opened files must have
the extension ‘.dat.’
SAVE and SAVE AS
These functions allow the user to save his/her data files to any drive/directory/filename that he/she wishes. The
only limitation is that the data file name must be given the extension ‘.dat.’ All input data must be saved to a
permanent file before the WIN-DESCUS RUN Utility can be used.
EXIT
Clicking on ‘Exit’ closes the INPUT Utility and brings you back to the WIN-DESCUS Main Menu.
EDIT SUBMENU
The EDIT submenu is accessible only after a data file has been opened. By clicking on ‘Edit,’ a submenu with the
options ‘Undo,’ ‘Cut,’ ‘Copy,’ ‘Paste,’ and ‘Delete’ appears. Clicking on one of the Data Fields highlights it and allows
you to edit the data in that field. By clicking on a Data Field and then holding down the left mouse button, you can
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DESCUS
highlight the data by dragging the cursor across the data field. This data then can be manipulated by using the ‘Cut’
and/or ‘Copy’ commands in the Edit submenu. The ‘Paste’ command allows you to paste the cut or copied data to
another Data Field within the same data file or a field within another file. Only one Data Field at a time can be cut or
copied.
USING THE KEYBOARD WITH INPUT SCREENS
To move the cursor forward to the next input cell, hit ENTER or TAB.
To move the cursor to the next cell up or down, use the up and down arrow keys.
To move the cursor to the left cell within a matrix, hit SHIFT-TAB or SHIFT-ENTER.
To delete input data in a cell, use BACKSPACE.
To move the cursor within the text in a cell:

Hit HOME to go immediately to the extreme left.
Hit END to go immediately to the extreme right.
Use left/right arrow keys to move left/right.
INPUT SCREENS
Clicking on ‘Input Screens’ opens the Input Screen submenu. The available input categories are labeled ‘Project,’
‘Option,’ ‘Factor,’ ‘Structure,’ ‘Sections,’ ‘Load,’ ‘Connectivity,’ and ‘Stage’.
OPENING INPUT SCREENS
Clicking on the desired input screen opens it. Some input screens take several seconds to load into computer
memory when you open them. This is normal and should be expected.
EDITING DATA FIELDS
Data can be entered/edited by clicking on the desired Data Field in a given Input Screen, and then typing in the
relevant data. The data entered in each Input Screen is saved temporarily in computer memory (i.e., in a temp
file). If you switch to another Input Screen, the data edited in the previous screen(s) are stored in computer
memory temporarily. That is, if you switch back to a previously edited Input Screen, your data will still be
there; however, it will not have been saved to a permanent data file. Regularly save your data to a permanent
file using the ‘Save’ or ‘Save As’ commands so that you will not lose your data in the event of a computer
lockup or a power failure.
THE GO TO SUBMENU
Clicking on ‘Go To’ can open the Go To Submenu. This submenu can be accessed only when a data file (either a new
one or an old one previously saved) has been opened.
OPENING INPUT SCREENS USING THE INPUT SCREEN INDEX
Clicking on one of the Input Screen names, in the Input Screen Index, opens that Input Screen.
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DESCUS
GRAPHIC SUBMENU
The Graphic Submenu is accessed by clicking on the word ‘Graphic’ shown in the submenu bar of the Input Utility. This
transfers the user to the WIN-DESCUS Graphic Utility Run mode. Click the ‘Ok’ button when the message “Finish
tessellation” is shown.
The new DESCUS Graphic Utility is able to read the DESCUS data input to render the 3D render image as well as FEA
grid model. For details, read Appendix D: DESCUS Rendering.
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DESCUS
VISUAL DES-MESH SUBMENU
Visual Des-Mesh is a Windows GUI application that provides the DESCUS users abilities to build geometry
models. Its development adopts GUI and database technologies extensively to enhance DESCUS by allowing users to
build and edit bridge models via parametric describing and interactive graphical editing of bridge geometries. It can also
import the bridge geometries from DXF files created by CAD platforms such as Microstation and AutoCAD.
Please refer to Appendix H – Visual DES-MESH user manual for details.
AUTO-DF SUBMENU
Clicking on the word ‘Auto-DF’ shown in the submenu bar of the input utility accesses the Auto-DF Submenu. This
transfers the user to the WIN-DESCUS Auto-DF utility screen.
INPUT SUB-SUBMENU
Before running Auto-DF utility program, use existing input or generate new input. The three submenus of the
Auto-DF Input are ‘File,’ ‘Edit,’ and ‘Help.’ Other than ‘Input Screen,’ the rest are the same as the submenu
items shown in Section 2.2 INPUT UTILITY.
There are only two subsets of the ‘Input Screen’: ‘Girder’ and ‘Lane.’ The details of these input items can be
found in the documentation or click ‘Help’ on the same menu base.
Once the input is done, click ‘File,’ then ‘Save,’ or ‘Save As’ before ‘Exit.’ The program will ask you whether
or not you want to quit. Clicking ‘Yes’ will bring you back to the Auto-DF utility screen.
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DESCUS
RUN SUB-SUBMENU MENU
Click ‘Run’ to bring up the screen for the Auto-DF execution utility program. Input and Output files have to be
specified before execution. Different from the Input File of the WIN-DESCUS, the extension of the input file is
‘.df,’ instead of ‘.dat.’ The default directory is ‘C:\windes1\fifiles’ or ‘C:\windes2\fifiles.’
After input and output files are specified, click ‘OK’ to initiate the Auto-DF utility program execution. Once
the Auto-DF run message ‘Stop - Program terminated’ shows on the separate execution WINDOWS, click the
upper right drawer and then ‘Close.’ After completing the Auto-DF run, User-Specified Live Load Distribution
Factions will be generated and fill up Data Type 0301.
Click ‘Exit’ to go back to the Auto-DF utility Program Screen and another ‘Exit’ and ‘OK’ to bring you back to
the Input Utility Submenu.
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DESCUS
HELP SUBMENU
Clicking on ‘Help’ opens the Help Submenu. The Help menu allows you to access information on the type of data
required for a particular Data Field.
ABOUT DESCUS
Choosing ‘About DESCUS’ brings up a screen, which includes the DESCUS version number and copyright information.
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DESCUS
Special Feature – Excel Work Sheet
To open the Excel Work Sheet
On the DESCUS input screens 0301, 0302, 0303, 0501A, 0701 or 0801, click the “Excel Work Sheet” button.
To paste Excel data to DESCUS input screens 0301, 0302, 0303, 0501A, 0701 or 0801
1. On the Excel work sheet block the cells you want to copy, and then on the Edit menu click Copy.
2. On the DESCUS input screen 0301, 0302, 0303, 0501A, 0701 or 0801, click the cell where to start the paste,
and then on the Edit menu click Paste.
To paste data from DESCUS input screens 0301, 0302, 0303, 0501A, 0701 or 0801 to Excel
1. To copy a row of DESCUS data so you can paste it in another place, click the gray-shaded record selector on
the first column to highlight the row. Then on the Edit menu, click Copy.
The user can select a range of contiguous rows of DESCUS data by clicking the record selector of the first row
in the range, then holding down the Shift key and clicking the record selector for the last row in the range. Then
on the Edit menu, click Copy.
2. On the Excel work sheet, click the cell where to start the paste, and then on the Edit menu, click Paste.
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DESCUS
2.3 RUN UTILITY

The Run Utility is accessed from the MAIN MENU by clicking with the left mouse button on the word ‘DESCUS–2002
Code’, “DESCUS–2003 LFD/2005 LRFD” or ‘DESCUS-STAGE’ under ‘Run.’ This transfers you to a screen titled
‘Execute WIN- DESCUS.’
EXITING THE RUN UTILITY
Clicking on ‘Exit’ button, returns you to the MAIN MENU screen.
OPENING DATA FILES IN THE RUN UTILITY
The ‘INPUT FILE’ option allows you to choose which data file you would like to execute. The ‘OUTPUT FILE’
option allows you to choose name and directory for the output file produced by the execution of the program.
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DESCUS
RUNNING WIN-DESCUS
Clicking on ‘OK’ button to transfer to the WIN-DESCUS execution mode. Once the message ‘PROGRAM DESCUS
(or II) COMPLETED’ is shown on the execution window, click the upper right drawer and then ‘Close.’ Once back to
the Input/Output File Section Window, click ‘Exit’ button to go back to the WIN-DESCUS Main Menu.
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DESCUS
2.4 PRINT UTILITY

The Print Utility of WIN-DESCUS is accessed on the word ‘Print,’ shown in the menu bar of the MAIN MENU screen.
This transfers you to the WIN-DESCUS Print Utility screen. The Print Utility performs the printing of the output files
created by the Run Utility. It offers the user the ability to view the output before printing, print an entire file, or print
only selected tables from the file.
Open File
Print files previously saved under your Win-Descus directory will appear in the larger box on the lower left side of
the Open File screen. Double-clicking on the name of one of these files opens it. Print files saved in other directories
or drives can be accessed by scrolling through the ‘Directory’ and/or the ‘Drives’ boxes. All files to be opened
must have the extension ‘.res’.
Files may also be opened by typing or highlighting the name in the File Name box and then clicking on the OK
button or hitting the ENTER key.
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DESCUS
View/Print File
This option allows the user to review the results page by page in a continuous manner. A typical result file screen is
shown below. This screen will be activated automatically after opening a file.
Clicking on the ‘Print’ button on the screen will bring up a print file window. The options available are ‘Print File
with Form Feed’ and ‘Print File without Form Feed’
Clicking ‘Find String’ button brings up the search string window. This window allows the user to enter a string (a
word or phrase), which he/she is trying to locate in the output file. After entering the string and choosing ‘OK’, the
program will locate the first occurrence of that string in the output file. Clicking the ‘Find Next’ button then brings
the next occurrence of the string.
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DESCUS
View Tables
Although the scroll bar lets the user move back and forth between the pages, one may find it time consuming if a
specific table of results is desired for review. The View Tables option serves this purpose. The top window contains
the list of tables. Highlighting a table brings that table to the lower window. A typical View Table screen is shown
below.
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DESCUS
Print Tables
The print tables screen will be shown after clicking on the ‘Print Tables’ tab. The bottom window contains the list
of tables. Highlighting a table brings that table to the upper window (Table Selected). Click on the ‘Print’ button,
will send the table selected to a printer.
Exit
Choosing ‘Exit’ tab exits the Print Utility and brings you back to the WIN-DESCUS Main Menu.
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DESCUS I
3.0 INPUT FOR DESCUS I PREPROCESSOR

All numeric inputs must have a decimal point except those designated as integer or alphanumeric. All
input must be right justified. Below is a listing and description of each of the input data fields used to enter data into
DESCUS I. Each field(s) is given a name and data type. The type of input: integer, real, or alphanumeric is listed
in parenthesis. If the wrong type of character is entered in the input field or if the field is not right justified an error
will result.
The first item shown inside the shaded box is the keyword appearing on the preprocessor's
main menu. The second item is the keyword shown on the preprocessor submenu under the
main menu.
3.1 System Input

For PC Preprocessor
Structure/Project Data & Option

Data Type: 0101, 0102, & 0103
Data Type 0101 - Project Description
DESCRIPTION: (alphanumeric)
A one line general description of the project or problem. This description will be printed on the first
page of output only.
Data Type 0102 - Project Description
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DESCUS I
DESCRIPTION: (alphanumeric)
A single line general description of the project or problem. This description will be printed on every
page of output.
Data Type 0103 - System Options
OUTPUT LEVEL: (Integer)

The value entered in this field allows the user to choose between basic or detailed program output.
Enter '1' if primary (basic) output is desired.
Enter '2' if, in addition to primary output, secondary output, such as dead and live load moments by section
etc., is also desired. (See Section 4.0 - Output for details)
UNIT: (Integer)
Enter '0' or leave blank for English units.
Enter '1' for SI units.
SPAN INTERVAL: (Integer)

Enter the number of equally spaced intervals per span into which each girder section is to be divided
for dead load deflection output.
The maximum number of intervals allowed by the program is 20.
PROGRAM OPTIONS: (Integer)

Enter '1' for output of dead load information only.
Enter '2' if output of dead and live load information is desired.
Enter '-1' for geometry check only.
DESIGN OPTIONS: (Integer)

Enter '0' if only forces and deflections are desired.
Enter '1' if force, stresses and a code check are desired.
Enter '2' if forces, stresses, code check and rating are desired.
PLOT SCALE: (Real)
COMPOSITE/NONCOMPOSITE: (Integer)
Enter '1' if composite action is to be considered in the areas controlled by positive moment.
Enter '2' if non-composite action is to be considered throughout the entire structure.
SHEAR CONNECTOR NEGATIVE MOMENT REGION: (Integer)

Enter '0' if shear connectors are not considered in negative moment region. Steel section properties with no
rebars are used to calculate stresses in the negative moment area for all DL, SDL and LL.
Enter '1' if shear connectors with rebars (if any) are considered in negative moment region. Steel section
properties with rebars (if any) are used to calculate stresses in the negative moment area for SDL and LL.
Enter '2' if shear connectors with rebars (if any) are considered in the negative moment region as well as the
composite sections are considered in the analysis when the stiffness matrices for SDL and LL are
generated. Also, steel section properties with rebars (if any) are used to calculate stresses in the negative
moment area for SDL and LL.
LRFD EFFECTIVE FLANGE WIDTH OPTION: (Integer)

Enter ‘0’ or blank as default for full width for LRFD 2008 and after.
Enter ‘1’ if LRFD ‘prior to 2007’ code effective width criteria are used.
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DESCUS I
For PC Preprocessor
Structure/Shear Connector
Data Type: 0104
Data Type 0104 - Shear Connector Data
GIRDER NO.: (Integer)

Enter the girder number.
NUMBER OF SHEAR CONNECTORS PER TRANSVERSE SECTION: (Integer)

Enter number of shear connectors per transverse section.
ALLOWABLE RANGE OF HORIZONTAL SHEAR PER CONNECTOR ("Zr"): (KIPS or KN), (Real).
Enter Zr in kips per connector. Zr, based on the number of cycles, will be computed according to
AASHTO (10.38.5.1.1).
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DESCUS I
For PC Preprocessor
Structure/Control Option
Data Type: 0105
Data Type 0105 - General Control Options
If any data fields in Data Type 0105 are left blank, the default values will automatically be used.
DESIGN OPTIONS: (Integer)

The number that identifies the design option.
Enter '0' for AASHTO Working Stress Design (WSD).
Enter '1' for AASHTO Load Factor Design (LFD).
Enter '2' for AASHTO Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD).
The default value is 0.
POSTPROCESS FILE OPTION: (Integer)

The default value is 0.
Entering a '1' will create an open data file for the optimization program (separate post-processing
program).
Entering a '1' here and selecting a rating option in Data Type 0103 will create and retain influence surfaces
for later use in the influence line generation post-processing program.
Entering a '0' here bypasses the post-processor file generation.
ANALYSIS
NON-AASHTO TRUCK ANALYSIS OPTION: (Integer)
Entering '0' will cause the program to treat NON-AASHTO TRUCKS as part of AASHTO Live
Loading. Only critical loading cases will be pointed out.
Entering '1' will cause the program to treat NON-AASHTO TRUCKS separately from AASHTO
loading. Additional force, displacement, and design tables will be printed out for NON-AASHTO
TRUCK loading.
Default value is 0. IMPORTANT: For rating with NON-AASHTO TRUCK, ‘1’ is required.
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DESCUS I
LOAD AMPLIFICATION FACTOR FOR INTERSTATE TRUCK: (Real)

Default value is 1.00. (i.e. for HS25, instate truck is still 2-24 kip axle loading). Separate the load
amplification factor for interstate truck.
LANE LOADING OPTION: (Integer)

Enter '0' for NON-AASHTO TRUCK without concurrent lane loading.
Enter '1' for NON-AASHTO TRUCK with concurrent lane loading.
NON-AASHTO LANE LOAD: (Real) (Kip/ft or KN/m)

Enter concurrent lane loading intensity.
LOAD FACTOR DESIGN/LOAD AND RESISTANCE FACTOR DESIGN
AASHTO DEAD LOAD FACTOR (Dc): (Real)

Default value is 1.30 for LFD and 1.25 for LRFD (dead load factor for component and
attachments)
AASHTO LIVE LOAD FACTOR: (Real)

Default value is 2.20 for LFD and 1.75 for LRFD (Strength I)
NON-AASHTO TRUCK DEAD LOAD FACTOR: (Real)

Default value is 1.30 for LFD and 1.25 for LRFD (dead load factor for component and
attachments)
NON-AASHTO TRUCK LIVE LOAD FACTOR: (Real)

Default value is 1.3 for LFD (Group IB) and 1.35 for LRFD (Strength II)
LRFD SPECIAL OPTION: (Integer)

Enter ‘0’ or blank for no LRFD special option
Enter ‘1’ MN DOT option for neg. LLM factor.
0.9 if span length < 100’
1.1 if span length > 200’
Interpolate in between
Enter ‘2’ MI DOT option for HL-93 * 1.2
AASHTO DEAD LOAD FACTOR (Dw): (Real)

Default is 1.3 for LFD and 1.5 for LRFD (dead load factor for wearing surfaces and utilities)
FACTOR Dc FOR STRENGTH IV/CONSTRUCTIBILITY: (Real)

Default is 1.3 for LFD and 1.5 for LRFD (Strength IV)
Note: If Non-AASHTO Truck Analysis Option is chosen to be zero (0), the AASHTO Live Load Factor is
used.
WORKING STRESS DESIGN,
NON-AASHTO TRUCK ALLOWABLE AMPLIFICATION FACTOR: (Real)

Default value is 1.0.
INVENTORY RATING FACTOR: (Real)

OPERATING RATING FACTOR: (Real)

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DESCUS I
3.2 Special Options

For PC Preprocessor
Structure/Barrier for LL Def. Option

Data Type: 02015
Data Type 02015 – Barrier for LL Deflection
OPTION ID: (Integer)

Enter ‘5’ to include barrier stiffness in the calculation of LL Deflection.
NO. OF BARRIER: (Integer)

Enter no. of barrier in the consideration of stiffness.
MOMENT OF INERTIA OF ONE BARRIER: (Real) (in^4 or mm^4)

Enter the moment of inertia of one concrete barrier to its own neutral axis in the consideration of stiffness.
AREA OF ONE BARRIER: (Real) (in^2 or mm^2)

Enter the area of one concrete barrier in the consideration of stiffness.
DISTANCE FROM CG OF BARRIER TO THE TOP OF SLAB: (Real) (in or mm)

Enter the distance for the neutral axis (CG) of the concrete barrier to the top of slab.
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DESCUS I
For PC Preprocessor
Structure/Elastic Supports
Data Type: 02011
Data Type 02011 - Special Program Option Number 1: Elastic Support Constants

Enter '1' for elastic supports.
SUPPORT JOINT NUMBER: (Integer)

Enter the joint number for each elastic support.
TORSIONAL ELASTIC SUPPORT CONSTANT: (Real)

(KIP-FT/RAD or KN-m/RAD) Torsion spring constant along main girder line
MOMENT ELASTIC SUPPORT CONSTANT: (Real)

(KIP-FT/RAD or KN-m/RAD) Moment spring constant along main girder line
REACTION ELASTIC SUPPORT CONSTANT: (Real)

(KIP/FT or KN/m) Vertical spring constant
NOTE: When no displacements occur at the support, the appropriate constant is infinite.
The default setting assumes zero vertical displacement at all supports.
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DESCUS I
For PC Preprocessor
Structure/Negative Rebar
Data Type: 02012
Data Type 02012 - Special Program Option Number 2: Negative Moment Rebar

Enter '2' to place steel rebars in the negative moment region.
AREA OF NEGATIVE MOMENT REBAR: (Real)

(IN2 or mm2)
Enter the area of longitudinal rebar in the slab per effective width defined by AASHTO (in the negative
moment area over the pier)
DISTANCE TO THE BOTTOM OF FLANGE: (Real)

(IN or mm)
Enter the distance from the rebar centerline to the bottom of the top flange.
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DESCUS I
For PC Preprocessor
Structure/Line Load
Data Type: 02013
Data Type 02013 - Special Program Option Number 3: Line Load

Enter '3' for Line Load option.
LOAD OPTION ID: (Integer)

Enter '1' for Dead Load type 1 (uniformly distributed dead load per girder).
Enter '2' for Dead Load type 2 (uniformly distributed superimposed dead load per girder)
GIRDER NO.: (Integer)

Enter the girder number where the line load is acting.
LINE LOAD INTENSITY: (Real)

(KIP/FT or KN/m).
Enter the intensity of the uniform line load acting on the specified girder.
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DESCUS I
3.3 Optional Live Load Distribution and Impact Factors
3.3.1 Optional Live Load Distribution Factors

NOTE: The program gives the user the option to specify the distribution factors, or to have the program
automatically calculate them. For WSD/LFD, if the user wants live load distribution factors calculated by
the program using the standard AASHTO methods no data should be entered in this input screen. For
LRFD, user-specified live load distribution factors are mandate. Otherwise, no live load will be given. The
Distribution Factor Utility under the Auto-DF Menu can also be used to determine distribution factors in an
alternative method to standard AASHTO. This utility is described in Appendix B.
If Data Types 0302 and 0303 are not specified, Data Type 0301 applied to all live loading. If Data Type
0302 is specified, these distribution factors apply to concurrent non-AASHTO loading while Data Type
0301 is still for the AASHTO loading. If Data Type 0303 is specified, these distribution factors, which
may include centrifugal and superelevation effects, apply to truck but not lane loading.
For PC Preprocessor
Load/Live Load Factors

Data Type: 0301/0302/0303
Data Type 0301 - Optional Live Load Distribution Factors (DF)

Data Type 0302 - Optional Secondary Live Load Distribution Factors (DF2)
Data Type 0303 - Optional Vehicular Live Load Distribution Factors (DF3)
GIRDERS
PRIMARY GIRDER Number: (Integer)
Enter the number of the girder for which maxima are to be calculated.
GIRDER NUMBER: (Integer)

Enter a number that will be used to identify each girder.
DISTRIBUTION FACTOR: (Real)

Enter the distribution factor due to the axle load applied to the specified girder.
SPAN NUMBER, FROM, TO: (Integer)

Enter the initial and final span numbers that the distribution factor applies to.
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DESCUS I
3.3.2 Definition of Impact Factors for Arbitrary Trucks

NOTE: If no input, AASHTO formula is used. The Impact factors for reaction may vary for each support number.
If Data Type 0314 is specified, these impact factors are applied to non-AASHTO loading.
For PC Preprocessor
Load/Impact Factors
Data Type: 0311/314
Data Type 0311 - Optional Impact Factors for Arbitrary Trucks

Data Type 0314 - Optional Secondary Impact Factors for Arbitrary Trucks
SPAN/SUPPORT NUMBER: (Integer)

Enter the span number for all impact factors except for reaction impact factors.
Enter the support number for reaction impact factors. Note, that for a continuous girder bridge there is
one more support than number of spans.
Enter the impact factor to be used when calculating torsion right, moment, shear, torsion left, deflection and reaction
in the following columns.
TORSION IMPACT FACTOR FOR RIGHT OF MEMBER: (Real)
MOMENT IMPACT FACTOR: (Real)
SHEAR IMPACT FACTOR: (Real)
TORSION IMPACT FACTOR FOR LEFT OF MEMBER: (Real)
DEFLECTION FACTOR: (Real)
REACTION IMPACT FACTOR: (Real)
Note: Impact Factor is defined as (1 + dynamic load allowance in fraction). E.g. 1 + 0.3 = 1.3
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DESCUS I
3.4 Details and Loadings

For PC Preprocessor
Structure/Details(1)
Data Type: 0401
Data Type 0401 - Structural Detail Items
NUMBER OF GIRDERS: (Integer)

Enter the number of girders within the bridge cross section. This data is used to determine the
amount of dead load from the concrete sidewalk, utility weight and railing weight distributed to each
girder.
Also, it governs bridge geometry and the live load distribution factor if the latter is not specified by the
Designer. (see Data Type 0301)
DESIGN SLAB DEPTH: (Real)

(IN or mm)
Enter the slab thickness (not including the integral-wearing surface). (For DL1, effective width and section
calculations.)
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DESCUS I
INTEGRAL WEARING SURFACE: (Real)

(IN or mm)
Enter the thickness of the integral-wearing surface. (For DL1calculation only.)
HAUNCH DEPTH/WIDTH: (Real)

(IN or mm)
Enter the dimensions of the haunch. (See Figure 3.1) (For DL1 and section calculations.)
Haunch depth is the distance from the bottom of the slab to the bottom of the steel top flange.
* Weight due to haunch is automatically counted as non composite dead load.
WEIGHT OF WEARING SURFACE: (Real)

(LBS/SQ.FT or N/SQ. m)
Enter the weight of the wearing surface (treated as superimposed dead load). (For DL2 and section
calculation.)
STRUCTURAL DETAIL FACTOR: (Real)

Enter the detail factor to account for additional dead load due to stiffeners, studs, welds, diaphragms, etc.
This detail factor includes all miscellaneous steel dead loads such as lateral bracing, cross-frames, bolts,
shim plates, splice plate, etc. For example, if the weight of the structural details equal 20% of the beam or
girder weight, enter 1.20. (For DL1 calculation.)
AREA OF CONCRETE SIDEWALK: (Real)

(SQ.FT or SQ. m)
Enter the total cross-sectional concrete area not included in the slab or the integral wearing-surface.
This includes all sidewalks, median barriers, parapets, etc. (For DL2 calculation.)
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DESCUS I
For PC Preprocessor
Structure/Detail(2)
Data Type: 0402
Data Type 0402 - Structural Detail Items
UTILITY WEIGHT: (Real)

(LBS/FT or N/m)
Enter the total utility weight of the bridge (treated as a superimposed dead load).
RAILING WEIGHT: (Real)

(LBS/FT or N/m)
Enter the total railing weight of the bridge (treated as a superimposed dead load).
WIDTH BETWEEN CURB BARRIERS: (Real)

(FT or m)
Enter the distance between the left and right curb barriers. These data are used for wearing surface weight
computations and in determining the traffic lane division line for the exterior beam live load distribution
[AASHTO 3.23.2.3].
NOTE: Median barriers are not accounted for in the determination of the live load distribution factors for
exterior beams.
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DESCUS I
OVERHANG WIDTH, LEFT AND RIGHT: (Real)

(FT or m)
Enter the distance from the center line of the left exterior beam to the left edge of the slab, then enter the
distance from the center line of the right exterior beam to the right edge of the slab. (See Figure 3.1)
SLAB EDGE TO CURB, LEFT AND RIGHT: (Real)

(FT or m)
Enter the distance from the left curb line to the left edge of the slab, then enter the distance from the right
curb line to the right edge of the slab. (See Figure 3.1)
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DESCUS I
For PC Preprocessor
Structure/Concrete
Data Type: 0402
Data Type 0402 continued - Concrete
MODULAR RATIO: (Real)

N1 and N2.
N1: Modular ratio (Es/Ec) for superimposed dead load.

For example, enter N1 = 30.0 for normal weight 3000 psi concrete.
No entry is to be made for a non-composite beam.
N2: Modular ration (Es/Ec) for live load.

For example, enter N2 = 10.0 for normal weight 3000 psi concrete.
No entry is to be made for a non-composite beam.
CONCRETE COMPRESSION STRENGTH: (Real)

(KSI or MPa)
Enter the concrete 28-day compressive strength (fc’).
UNIT WEIGHT OF CONCRETE: (Real)

(PCF or Kg/m3)
Enter the unit weight of the concrete to be used in the slab.
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DESCUS I
For PC Preprocessor
Loads/Live Loads
Data Type: 0403
Data Type 0403 - Live Load Data
AASHTO LIVE LOAD: (Alphanumeric)

Enter AASHTO Loading, H-15, HS-20, HL-93, etc. (Lane loading can be isolated by calling L-20.)
INTERSTATE: (Integer)
Enter '0' if interstate loading is not to be considered.
Enter '1' if interstate loading is to be considered
Enter '2' if interstate loading is to be considered w/amplification.
TYPE OF ROAD: (Integer)

Enter Case 1, 2 or 3 according to type of road as defined by AASHTO 10.6.5 or Case 1-4 according to Table
C3.6.1.4.2.1 of the AASHTO LRFD Specifications.
AVERAGE DAILY TRUCK TRAFFIC:

Default is 20,000 times fraction of truck in traffic based on class of highway (Type of Road defined above) as
defined in AASHTO LRFD Table C3.6.1.4.2-1.
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DESCUS I
WIDTH OF LEFT SIDEWALK: (Real)

(FT or m)
Enter the width of the left sidewalk.
RATIO OF ECCENTRICITY, LEFT SIDEWALK: (Real)

Enter the ratio of eccentricity of left sidewalk. If the resultant sidewalk load is to the left of the girder
specified, enter a positive number; for a resultant to the right, enter a negative number. The ratio of the
eccentricity is defined as the distance between the centerline of the girder and (the midpoint of) the
sidewalk resultant load, divided by the girder spacing.
GIRDER NUMBER, LEFT SIDEWALK: (Integer)

Enter the number identifying the girder nearest to the resultant load of the left sidewalk.
WIDTH OF RIGHT SIDEWALK: (Real)

(FT or m)
Enter the width of the right sidewalk.
RATIO OF ECCENTRICITY, RIGHT SIDEWALK: (Real)

Enter the ratio of eccentricity of the right sidewalk. If the resultant sidewalk load is to the left of the girder
specified, enter a positive number; for a resultant to the right, enter a negative number. The ratio of the
eccentricity is defined as the distance between the centerline of the girder and the sidewalk resultant load,
divided by the girder spacing.
GIRDER NUMBER, RIGHT SIDEWALK: (Integer)

Enter the number identifying the girder nearest to the resultant load of the right sidewalk.
NOTE: Enter either a left sidewalk or a right sidewalk only. Two sidewalks are not permitted.
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DESCUS I
For PC Preprocessor
Loads/Non-AASHTO Trucks
Data Type: 0404
Data Type 0404 - Optional-Arbitrary Truck Loading
TRUCK NUMBER: (Integer)

Enter '1' for truck number one, '2' for truck number two, etc.
The program allows the user to input up to nine trucks.
AXLE NUMBER: (Integer)

Enter the axle number.
Each truck can have maximum of 30 axles.
AXLE WEIGHT: (Real)

(KIP or KN)
Enter a weight for each axle.
Each axle must be given a non-zero weight.
AXLE DISTANCE: (Real)

(FT or M)
The axle distance is defined as the spacing between two adjacent axles.
Each axle must be given an axle distance (spacing), except for the last axle.
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DESCUS I
3.5 Steel Sections

For PC Preprocessor
Sections/Steel Plate Girders

Data Type: 0501A
Data Type 0501A - Definition of Sections
SECTION NUMBER: (Integer)

Enter a 1 for the first member used in the structure. Additional members with the same cross-section
should not be numbered.
Enter a 2 if you input a member which has a different cross-section (web/flange thickness or depth).
Increment the section number by 1 for each additional member you enter which has a previously
undefined cross-section.
FY: (Real)
(KSI or MPa)
Enter the yield strength of the steel section. If flange yield stresses are specified, this entry is the web yield
stress.
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DESCUS I
HYBRID OPTION:
FY - TOP FLANGE: (Real)

(KSI or MPa)
Enter the yield strength of the top flange.
FY - BOTTOM FLANGE: (Real)

(KSI or MPa)
Enter the yield strength of the bottom flange.
PLATE GIRDER WEB, DEPTH; THICKNESS: (Real)

(IN or mm)
Enter the web depth and thickness for plate girder only.
This is defined as the clear distance between the top and bottom flanges.
PLATE GIRDER OR STANDARD SECTIONS WITH COVERPLATE, TOP PLATE WIDTH; THICKNESS:
(Real)
(IN or mm)
Enter the width and thickness of the top plate.
This is defined as the top flange for plate girders and the top coverplate for rolled sections.
PLATE GIRDER OR STANDARD SECTIONS WITH COVERPLATE, BOTTOM PLATE WIDTH;

THICKNESS:
(Real)
(IN or mm)
Enter the width and thickness of the bottom plate.
This is defined as the bottom flange for plate girders and the bottom cover-plate for rolled sections.
MEMBER TYPE. (Integer)

Refer to Table 3.1 - DEFINITION OF MEMBER TYPES and select the number that corresponds to
the type of member you are defining.
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DESCUS I
For PC Preprocessor
Sections/Truss
Data Type: 0501B
Data Type 0501B - Definition of Sections

Enter a 2 if you input a member which has a different cross-section. Increment the section number by
1 for each additional member entered which has a previously undefined cross-section.
FY: (Real)
(KSI or MPa)
Enter the yield strength of the steel section.
MEMBER TYPE: (Integer)

Refer to Table 3.1 - DEFINITION OF MEMBER TYPES and select the number which corresponds to
the type of member you are defining.
TRUSS SECTION AREAS TOP, BOTTOM, AND DIAGONAL: (Real)

(IN2 or cm2)
Enter the areas of the top chord, bottom chord, and diagonals, respectively, for a truss diaphragm.
DISTANCE BETWEEN CHORDS: (Real)

(IN or mm)
Enter the distance from the centroid of the top cord to the centroid of the bottom cord.
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For PC Preprocessor
Sections/Type 30 – Computed Section

(CS) Properties
Data Type: 0501C
Data Type 0501C - Definition of Sections
NOTE: Whenever a Type 30 Section (See Table 3.1) is to be defined, it is a “CS” section.

Enter a 2 if you input a member which has a different cross-section. Increment the section number by
1 for each additional member entered which has a previously undefined cross-section.
FY: (Real)
(KSI or MPa)
Enter the yield strength of the steel section. If flange yield stresses are specified, this entry is the web yield
stress.
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CONSTANT FACTOR: (Real)

This factor will be used as a multiplier on the values listed below. The purpose of this CONSTANT
FACTOR is simply to allow the user to enter large section properties using only a few spaces. For
example, the data field for section modulus (explained below) only allow for a maximum of five digits to
be entered in front of the decimal point. If you need to enter a section modulus of 100000.00 FT3 you
would enter a ‘10’ for the CONSTANT FACTOR and 10000.0 FT3 for the section modulus.
TOP SECTION MODULUS: (Real)

(FT3 or m3)
Enter the top section modulus divided by the ‘constant factor’.
BOTTOM SECTION MODULUS: (Real)

(FT3 or m3)
Enter the bottom section modulus divided by the ‘constant factor’.
MOMENT OF INERTIA: (Real)

(FT4 or mm4)
Enter the moment of inertia divided by the ‘constant factor’.
TORSIONAL CONSTANT: (Real)

(FT4 or mm4)
Enter the torsional constant divided by the ‘constant factor’.
MEMBER TYPE: (Integer) = 30 for “CS” section.

(Refer to Table 3.1 - DEFINITION OF MEMBER TYPES)
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3.6 Girder Geometry

The MESH Utility discussed in Appendix B.2 can be used to generate much of the input data defined in
sections 3.6 - 3.8.
For PC Preprocessor
Connectivity/Supports
Data Type: 0601
Data Type 0601 - Girder Geometry and Supports

Enter a number for each girder sequentially, beginning with 1 for the far right girder. (See Figure 3.2)
SKEW ANGLE*: (Real)

(Degrees)
Enter the angle of skew at the left end of the bridge.
The clockwise direction from radial line to centerline of bearing is defined as positive. (See Figure 3.2)
GIRDER SPACING AT LEFT END*: (Real)

(FT or m)
Enter the girder spacing as measured along the centerline of the leftmost bearings of the bridge. Enter 0.0
as GIRDER SPACING for girder 1, the outside girder. Enter positive girder spacing for girder
numbering ascending from bottom of the page to top and negative girder spacing for descending.
(See Figure 3.2)
JOINT NUMBERS OF SUPPORTS: (Integer)

Enter the numbers 1, 2,..5, . . n of all the joints along the girder that are located at piers and abutments.
These must start at the left abutment and continue until the last supported joint along the girder is
numbered. (See Figure 3.4)
* Note: Demonstration of various combinations of girder spacing and radius is shown in

Appendix B2-DECUS DEFINITION OF GIRDER GEOMETRY BASED ON RADIUS AND
GIRDER SPACINGS.
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3.7 Girder Section Definition

For PC Preprocessor
Connectivity/Girders
Data Type: 0701
Data Type 0701 - Girder Sections and Geometry
NOTE: If any of the following items are left blank, the last previously defined value will be used: GIRDER
NO., DISTANCE ALONG ARC, SECTION NO., MEMBER RADIUS.
KINK OPTION: (Integer)

Enter '1' in column 5 if the member defined in columns 11-45 is kinked
Enter '2' in column 6 if the member defined in columns 46-80 is kinked.
The kinked angles are defined in the input description of Data Type 0702.

Enter a number for each girder sequentially, beginning with 1 for the far right girder. (See Figure 3.2)
MEMBER CONNECTIVITY, FROM, TO: (Integer)

Enter the joint numbers which define the segment of the girder between diaphragms, proceeding from
left to right along the girder.
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DISTANCE ALONG ARC: (Real)

(FT or m)
Enter the distance along the arc of the segment between diaphragms proceeding from left to right along
the girder.

Enter the number of section, identified in Data Type 0501, which describes the segment being defined.
Any assigned section number may be reused.
MEMBER RADIUS OF CURVATURE: (Real)

(FT or m)
Enter the radius of curvature of the member. The program interprets positive numbers as right turn
curves and negative numbers as left turn curves when looking at stations ahead. (See Figure 3.3)
Note: If the preceding curve is a tangent curve, the sign of this tangent radius should be the same as the
current curve radius. For instance, if the current curve radius is –621.0, the preceding tangent radius should
be -99999.999. If the current radius is 621.0, the preceding tangent radius is 99999.999. (The last tangent
curve can be positive or negative.)
STIFFENER SPACING: (Real)

(FT or m)
Enter the stiffener spacing within this member. If there are several different spacing within this member,
enter the maximum or the one most desired by the user. The default is the input for “Distance along Arc.”
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For PC Preprocessor
Connectivity/Kink Definition
Data Type: 0702
Data Type 0702 - Kink Angle Data
MEMBER CONNECTED, FROM: (Integer)

The first nodal number of the kinked member.
MEMBER CONNECTED, TO: (Integer)

The last nodal number of the kinked member.
NOTE: The member defined here should correspond to the member indicated in Data Type 0701 as a
kinked
member. The kinked member is defined as the member before the change of direction.
KINK ANGLE: (Integer)

(Degrees)
Enter a positive angle to indicate that the member connected to the kinked member is rotated in a
clockwise direction. A negative angle indicates a counterclockwise rotation.
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For PC Preprocessor
Connectivity/Bifurcation
Data Type: 0603

Enter a number for each girder sequentially, beginning with 1 for the far right girder
BIFURCATION NUMBER: (Integer)

Enter the Bifurcation number in sequence.
JOINT NUMBER - START, END: (Integer)

Enter the joint number of the joint where the girder birfurcation starts. Then enter the joint number of
the joint where the girder bifurcation ends.
In the example shown below, two bifurcated girders (girders 2, joints 23-43 and 3, 24-44):
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3.8 Definition of Diaphragms
For PC Preprocessor
Connectivity/Diaphragms
Data Type: 0801
Data Type 0801 - Diaphragm Data
DIAPHRAGM NUMBER: (Integer)

Enter a number, beginning with '1', to identify each diaphragm. The diaphragms must be labeled from
left to right along the girders, beginning with girder 1. (See Figure 3.4)
MEMBER CONNECTIVITY, FROM, TO: (Integer)

Enter the joint number of the joint which connects diaphragm 'm' to girder 'n', then enter the joint
number of the joint which connects the other end of diaphragm 'm' to girder 'n+1'. (See Figure 3.4)

Enter the number of the section identified in Data Type 0501 that describes the diaphragm section.
Any previously defined section number may be reused.
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3.9 Definition of Arbitrary Load

(Load Factors will not be multiplied to the entering loads by the program. User should
take care of their respective load factors for all the extra loads.)
For PC Preprocessor
Loads/Distributed
Data Type: 0950
Data Type 0950 - Distributed Load Data
STAGE NUMBER: (Integer)

Enter the stage number.
Stage Number is '1' for dead load case (Modulus of elasticity ratio N = infinity).
Enter '2' for superimposed dead load case (N = 3n).
Enter '3' for live load case (N = n).
GIRDER NUMBER: (Integer).

The girder number can be any number from 1 to the "Number of Girders" defined in Data Type 0301.
MAGNITUDE OF LOAD: (Real)

(KIP/FT or KN/m)
Enter the load intensity of the uniformly distributed load.
RANGE OF DISTANCE - FROM: (Real)

(FT or m)
Enter the starting position of the load, as measured from the far-left support.
RANGE OF DISTANCE - TO: (Real)

(FT or m)
Enter the end position of the previously defined uniform load, as measured from the far-left support. .
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For PC Preprocessor
Loads/Concentrated
Data Type: 0955
Data Type 0955 - Concentrated Load Data

Enter '1' for dead load case, (Modulus of elasticity ratio N = infinity).
Enter '2' for superimposed dead load case (N = 3n).
Enter '3' for live load case (N = n).

The girder number can be any number from 1 to the "Number of Girders" defined in Data Type 0301.
MAGNITUDE OF LOAD: (Real)

(KIP or KN)
Enter the load intensity of concentrated load.
DISTANCE: (Real)
(FT or m)
Enter the distance from the concentrated load to far-left support.
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For PC Preprocessor
Loads/Displacement
Data Type: 0960
Data Type 0960 - Support Displacement Data

Enter 1 for the dead load case (Modulus ratio N = infinity).
Enter 2 for superimposed dead load case (N = 3n).
Enter 3 for live load case (N = n).
JOINT NUMBER: (Integer)

Enter the joint number.
The joint number should correspond to the numbers enter in Data Type 0601.
MAGNITUDE OF DISPLACEMENT: (Real)

(IN or mm)
Enter the magnitude of the support settlement (positive is upward).
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TABLE 3.1 — DEFINITION OF MEMBER TYPES
MEMBER DESCRIPTION COMMENTS

TYPE
0 Rolled section of plate girder section Can be used for girder and diaphragm members
10 X-Truss Can be used for diaphragms only
11 K-Truss Can be used for diaphragms only
12 Inverted K-Truss Can be used for diaphragms only
20 Hinges To be identified on the right (far) end of girder members
30 General Section CS
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Fig. 3.1 Details of Bridge Cross Section
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Fig. 3.2 Girder Geometry
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Fig. 3.3 Sign Convention for Radius
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Fig. 3.4 Joint and Member Definition
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4.0 OUTPUT
All output is given in the form of tables that are identified by number. These can be output selectively by
the use of OUTPUT LEVEL as defined in 3.1 SYSTEM INPUT - Data Type 0103 and as shown in
TABLE 4.1
4.1 Verification of Input

Input verification causes all the input data to be printed out.
4.2 Output Tables

The output has been constructed and labeled so as to be as self-explanatory as possible. An index of
these tables is listed below.
TABLE DESCRIPTION OUTPUT

NO LEVEL
1.4 DETAILS AND LOADINGS 1
1.5 DEFINITION OF BENDING AND TRUSS SECTIONS 1
1.6 DEFINITION OF GIRDER GEOMETRY AND SUPPORTS 1
1.7 DEFINITION OF GIRDER SECTIONS AND GEOMETRY 1
1.8 DEFINITION OF DIAPHRAGMS 1
2.1 NON-COMPOSITE SECTION PROPERTIES N=INFINITY 2
2.2 COMPOSITE SECTION PROPERTIES N = 24.0 2
2.3 COMPOSITE SECTION PROPERTIES N = 8.0 2
2.4 DIAPHRAGM SECTION PROPERTIES 1
3.1 AVERAGE DEAD LOAD INTENSITIES 1
4.1 LIVE LOAD DISTRIBUTION FACTOR (COMPUTED BY PROGRAM) 1
5.1 MOMENTS 1
5.2 MOMENT AND TORSION SUMMARY 1
5B.1 MOMENTS FOR ALL AASHTO LOADING (LL+I) IN (FT-K) 1
5B.2 SHEARS FOR ALL AASHTO LOADING (LL+I) IN (KIP) 1
6.1 SHEARS 1
7.1 MOMENT AND SHEAR TABLE FOR DIAPHRAGMS 1
7.2 AXIAL FORCES AND STRESSES FOR DIAPHRAGMS 1
7.3 FORCE AND STRESS RANGES FOR DIAPHRAGMS 1
8.1 REACTIONS (KIPS) 1
9.1 DEAD LOAD DEFLECTIONS AT TENTH POINT 1
9.2 MAXIMUM LIVE LOAD DEFLECTION 1
10.1 STRESSES DUE TO DEAD LOAD - ON NONCOMP SECTION 1
10.2 STRESSES DUE TO SUPERIMPOSED DEAD LOAD - ON NONCOMP SECTION 1
10.3 STRESSES DUE TO SUPERIMPOSED DEAD LOAD - ON COMPOSITE SECTION 1
10.4 STRESSES DUE TO LIVE LOAD (MAX POS M) - ON COMPOSITE SECTION 1
10.5 STRESSES DUE TO LIVE LOAD (MAX NEG M) - ON NONCOMP SECTION 1
10.6 MAXIMUM STRESSES 1
10.7 TOTAL INDUCED STRESS RANGES 1
10.8 MAXIMUM AND ALLOWABLE STRESSES, STRESS RANGES, AND DESIGN LL TYPES 1
10.9 TRANSVERSE STIFFENER REQUIREMENTS 1
10.10 SHEAR CONNECTOR SPACING 1
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TABLE DESCRIPTION OUTPUT

NO LEVEL
20.1 STRESSES DUE TO DEAD LOAD - ON NONCOMP SECTION 1
20.2 STRESSES DUE TO SUPERIMPOSED DEAD LOAD - ON NONCOMP SECTION 1
20.3 STRESSES DUE TO SUPERIMPOSED DEAD LOAD - ON COMPOSITE SECTION 1
20.4 STRESSES DUE TO LIVE LOAD (MAX POS M) -- ON COMPOSITE SECTION 1
20.5 STRESSES DUE TO LIVE LOAD (MAX NEG M) - ON NONCOMP SECTION 1
20.6 MAXIMUM STRESSES 1
20.7 MAXIMUM AND ALLOWABLE STRESSES AND DESIGN LL TYPES 1
20.8 TRANSVERSE STIFFENER REQUIREMENTS 1
10.11 RATING FACTOR FOR AASHTO LOADING (WSR) 1

10.12 RATING FACTOR FOR NON-AASHTO LOADING (WSR) 1
10.13 BRIDGE RATING SUMMARY INFORMATION (WSR) 1
20.9 RATING FACTOR FOR AASHTO LOADING (LFR/LRFR) 1

20.10 RATING FACTOR FOR NON-AASHTO LOADING (LFR/LRFR) 1
20.13 BRIDGE RATING SUMMARY INFORMATION (LFR/LRFR) 1
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5.0 METHODOLOGY
The following is a description of the methodology used throughout the program.
5.1 Structural Model

The bridge structure is modeled as a two-dimensional grid with loads applied normal to the plane of the
grid surface. The deformations, moments, torques and shears are solved utilizing the stiffness method1 in
matrix format, which allows great flexibility in the type of structure that can be modeled. The form of
the method adopted assumes that the structure is linearly elastic2 and that the beam segments between
section changes are prismatic. The specific structural features that can be modeled are described as
follows:
1) Straight and/or curved elements are used such that the girder may be of arbitrary configuration
(e.g., single, compound, reverse or tangent in any combination, or kinked) over radial or skewed
supports;
2) Bridges may be simply supported or continuous over supports. Hinges may be positioned as
desired (including at supports);
3) Beams must be composed of open steel flanged plate girders or rolled beam sections;
4) Diaphragms can be modeled either as beams (e.g., plate girders or standard sections with or
without cover plates) or as "X" or "K" type trusses;
5) The bridge structure is modeled as a two-dimensional grid with three degrees-of-freedom (which
correspond to deformations in the transverse, torsional and major bending axis directions) at each
node;
6) Elastic support constants may be used to model any support for Torsion, Moment, and Reaction;
7) Non-prismatic members may be approximated by stepped prismatic members;
8) For Stiffness Analysis, girders may be considered optionally as composite in the negative moment
region only, or as composite throughout the entire length;
9) The structural materials are assumed to obey Hook's Law and the structural displacements are
assumed small.
1
See Reference 1
2
For a structure to be linearly elastic it must obey Hooke`s Law, and its displacements must be
small in comparison with its overall dimensions.
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5.2 Dead Load Calculations
The dead load intensity for each span, specified in kips per foot (or KN per meter), is computed from
input data. The weights of the slab, the integral wearing surface, and the steel section and details are all
considered dead load (Type 1 dead load). The weights of the wearing surfaces, sidewalks, parapets,
railings and utilities are all considered superimposed dead load (Type 2 dead load).
For noncomposite construction, all dead loads (including superimposed dead loads) are applied to the
beam utilizing noncomposite moments of inertia, Isteel3, for the section properties.
For composite construction the type 1 dead loads are applied to the beam with noncomposite moments of
inertia, Isteel. Superimposed dead loads are applied to the dead load negative moment region using
noncomposite moments of inertia, ISDL, and to the dead load positive moment region using composite
moments of inertia, Isteel. The composite moment of inertia is for superimposed dead loads only (i.e., the
elastic modular ratio is multiplied by 3 - AASHTO 10.38.1.4).
All loadings due to dead load (DL) are computed automatically by the program from basic input
information. The approximations and assumptions used in all of these computations are described as
follows:
1) The dead load is computed from basic input data as dead load intensities (in kips per foot or
KN/m) for each span. The weight of the slab, the integral wearing surface and the steel sections
and details are all considered dead load (DL). The weight of other wearing surfaces, sidewalks,
railings, parapets and utilities are all considered to be superimposed dead loads (SDL);
2) For noncomposite construction, all dead loads (including SDL) are applied to the beam using
noncomposite section properties that are computed by the program;
3) For composite bridges, all loadings, section properties, moments and shears corresponding to the
three modular ratios N, N1 and N2 specified by AASHTO for steel, SDL and LL, respectively, are
computed and applied automatically.
4) The deck may be eccentric with respect to the centerline of the bridge. Also, the width and
position of sidewalks can be input by the user.
5) The concrete slab and integral wearing surface loads are assumed to be applied to the girders in
direct proportion to the girder spacing. Load intensities are assumed to be constant between joints.
6) The dead load haunch weight will be taken at a slightly higher value than its actual weight because
the embedded area of the steel flange is not excluded.
7) Superimposed dead loads are assumed to be distributed uniformly throughout deck area and are
applied in direct proportion to the girder spacing.
8) No dead loads are applied directly to the diaphragms.
9) The weight of all diaphragms and connections are assumed to be accounted for in the detail factor
that is set by the user.4
3 Isteel is the moment of inertia for the steel section only. ISDL is the composite moment of inertia
with a modular ratio equal to 3n. ILL is the composite moment of inertia which has a modular
ratio of n.
4 The detail factor is the ratio of the assumed miscellaneous weight and the girder weight calculated
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10) The program allows the user to input additional dead and/or superimposed concentrated or
uniformly distributed dead loads to each girder individually.
by the program.
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5.3 Live Load Calculations

Maximum effects are obtained automatically for all AASHTO lane, truck, interstate vehicle, and sidewalk
loadings as well as for any arbitrary trucks defined by the user. The program will apply these loadings
throughout the bridge deck surface and record the maximum moments, shears, reactions, deflections and the
loadings that govern. Output for other points along the span are obtained by interpolation.
5.3.1 Loads
AASHTO highway loadings (AASHTO 3.7 or AASHTO LRFD 3.6) are used by the program. An
interstate loading which contains two 24,000 - pound axles spaced 4 feet on center can also be specified, if
desired.
In computing maximum vertical live load deflections and torsional moments due to lane loading, the same
concentrated load is used as in bending moment computations.
5.3.2 Default Distribution of Live Load

(a) Design traffic lane: The number of traffic lanes is determined in accordance with AASHTO. It is
assumed in computing the maximum distribution factor that the lane loading or standard truck can
occupy any position within their individual design traffic lane. The user may override the
distribution factor computed by the program by inputting a value computed manually.
(b) Distribution factor: For interior girders, the distribution factor is computed for concrete on steel I-
beam stringers as in AASHTO 3.23.2. When the distribution factor must be computed by the
simple beam method (i.e.where the girder spacing exceeds 14'), the interior girder is assumed to be
in a position under the design traffic lanes such that the maximum simple beam reaction will be
produced. Average girder spacings are used throughout the program unless otherwise specified in
the input. For exterior girders, AASHTO 3.23.2.3 is followed. For end shears and end reactions,
AASHTO 3.23.1 is followed.
(c) Reduction in load intensity is carried out as required by AASHTO 3.12.
5.3.3 User-Specified Live Load Distribution Factor

Users have the option of specifying their own distribution factors. The PC user also has the option of using
a special DESCUS I utility program called DF to assist in computing distribution factors. This utility
program and the methodology it employs will be explained in detail in Appendix B.1.
New Distribution Factor Calculation Method
This section presents a method for the calculation of live load distribution factors which can be used as an
alternative to standard AASHTO distribution factor method. In this method the truck is moved laterally
within the traffic lane and the position which yields the highest reaction (Distribution Factor) for the
concerned (primary) girder is determined. The reactions of the other girders can then be determined. The
main difference between this method and the existing AASHTO DF method is that the truck loading can be
placed at the most critical location and super-elevation and centrifugal force effects can be taken into
account.
The sum of all the reaction under one particular loading case should be equal to the total truck load.
Once the distribution factors have been calculated they can be input to DESCUS I. The program will
then generate the maximum live load based on internally generated influence surfaces and user defined
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distribution factors.
There are three screens to input the optional user-specified distribution factors:
Data Type 0301 - Optional Live Load Distribution Factors (DF)
Data Type 0302 - Optional Secondary Live Load Distribution Factors (DF2)
Data Type 0303 - Optional Vehicular Live Load Distribution Factors (DF3)
If Data Types 0302 and 0303 are not specified, Data Type 0301 applied to all live loading. If Data Type 0302
is specified, these distribution factors apply to concurrent non-AASHTO loading while Data Type 0301 is still
for the AASHTO loading. If Data Type 0303 is specified, these distribution factors, which may include
centrifugal and superelevation effects, apply to truck but not lane loading.
In AUTODF utility program, the default value of Left Wheel Fraction & Right Wheel Fraction is 0.5, assuming
no super-elevation and centrifugal force effects. The sum of the left and right wheel fractions should be equal
to 1. See Example for details. If other than 0.5 values are input, it means that superelevation and centrifugal
force effects are considered for truck loading. Under these circumstances, two sets of distribution factors are
generated. The first set assumes equal factions for lane loading and Data Type 0301 is generated. The second
set assumes unequal wheel fractions for truck loading and Data Type 0303 is generated.
If Vehicle IDs in AUTODF utility program are all blank or 0, only Data Type 0301 is generated. Otherwise,
Data Type 0302 is generated for secondary vehicles.
Example of Distribution Factor Calculation (Refer to Figure 5.1c)
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RL RR
Figure 5.1c - Centrifugal Force and Super-elevation Effects
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5.3.4 Application of Loads

In order to apply the live loads, the program generates influence surfaces by applying unit loads along the
girders one by one. These influence surfaces are stored in files in terms of
. Moment influence surface;

. Shear influence surface;
. Torsion (left of the joint) influence surface;
. Torsion (right of the joint) influence surface;
. Deflection influence surface;
. Reaction influence surface.
Influence lines are obtained for each girder in order to account for the possibility that the maximum and
minimum girder moments and shears at a given point will occur for cases other than when the loads are
placed directly over the girder and over adjacent girders. For example, for inside girder 3, unit loads are
placed along girders 2, 3, and 4; for outside girder 1, unit loads are placed along girders 1 and 2. Thus,
three influence lines are obtained for moment and for shear for interior girders; two influence lines are
obtained for moment and shear for exterior girders. All influence lines are constructed using straight line
segments.
The maximum moments and shears are found for each girder by applying the AASHTO lane, truck and
interstate (if specified) loads on each influence line for that girder. The effects of the individual loads are
compared and the maximum effects are chosen. In the case where an HS loading is specified, H trucks are
also tested automatically for short lengths. For more information on the program’s use of influence
surfaces. Refer to Section 5.3.5.
5.3.5 Influence Surface Example

Moment influence surfaces for two typical joints of the curved bridge shown in Figure 5.1 are presented in
Figures 5.2 and 5.3. Similarly, the shear, reaction and torsion influence surfaces are shown in Figures 5.4
through 5.6, respectively. The moment and shear influence lines of the diaphragm members, like those of
the main girders, were generated for live loads and are shown in Figures 5.7 and 5.8. The truck and lane
loadings were then placed on the influence surfaces by applying user-defined distribution factors (or better
termed as fraction of wheel loads) as shown in Figure 5.9.
5.3.6 Distribution of Moment of Inertia

For a composite beam, it is assumed that all the live loads are applied on the beam which has a
noncomposite moment of inertia, Isteel in the dead load negative moment region and a composite moment of
inertia ILL, in the dead load positive moment region.
The moments of inertia used in the program throughout the design and analysis phases are those computed
from the user input of the steel and concrete sections. An exception to using these combined properties is
the region taken as noncomposite within the negative moment region. Since a portion of the girder within
this region may be partly composite and partly noncomposite, the effective moment of inertia is taken as the
average of the two moments of inertia within the section, weighted with respect to the length of the section.
This effective moment of inertia is used only for the determination of the ordinates of the influence lines.
It is not used in stress computations. The user also has the choice to have the girder treated as composite
throughout. In that case, the composite moment of inertia is used
throughout the girder.
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5.3.7 Default Impact Factors

For WSD or LFD, based on AASHTO Standard 3.8.2, the impact factors are calculated using the formula:
I = 50 in which
L+ 125
I = impact factor (maximum 30 percent)
L = length in feet
The length, L, shall be considered as follows:
(a) Truck Loading Governs
When the maximum/minimum moment or shear is obtained from an AASHTO truck loading, "L"
is taken as the span length which contains the maximum point.
(b) Lane Loading Governs
When the maximum/minimum moment, shear or reaction is obtained from an AASHTO lane
loading, "L" is taken as the average loaded length of the two spans which produced the greatest
contribution to the governing maximum value. If the effect from the second predominant span is
60% or less than that of the first predominant span, then "L" is taken as the loaded length of the
first predominate span.
(c) Live Load Deflections
For maximum live load deflection for all loadings, "L" is taken as the span length which contains
the point of maximum deflection.
For 2003 LFD, refer to Appendix C for detail. For LRFD, based on AASHTO LRFD 3.6.2, the dynamic
load allowance, IM, is applied to the design truck or tandem only, not applied to pedestrian loads or to the
design lane load. Dynamic load allowance to deck joints for all limit states is 75%, to all other components
for fatigue limit state is 15% and to all other limit states is 33%.
5.4 Stress Calculations

Stress computations are performed throughout the structure for all DL, LL and DL + LL conditions,
including superimposed dead load and impact. These computations are broken down into two parts: (1)
primary stresses due to bending which are computed using the flexure formula and (2) the stresses due to
warping of the section which are determined using linear warping theory5. These are defined as follows:
5.4.1 Primary Stresses Due to Bending

(a) Noncomposite Construction
(i) Stresses Due to Dead Load and Superimposed Dead Load.
5 Transverse and St. Venant shear are not output separately due to the minor influence of these
quantities in design.
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ct
Top flange . . . . SDL = (M DL + MSDL) ×
Isteel
cb
Bottom flange . . . . SDL = (M DL + MSDL) ×
Isteel
(ii) Stresses Due to Live Load.
For maximum positive moment the stresses are given by:
ct
Top flange . . . . S+LL = M +LL ×
Isteel
cb
Bottom flange . . . . S+LL = M +LL ×
Isteel
For maximum negative moment the stresses are given by:
ct
Top flange . . . . S-LL = M -LL ×
Isteel
cb
Bottom flange . . . . S-LL = M-LL ×
Isteel
(iii) Maximum Total Stresses.
The maximum total stresses are given by either
(SDL + S+LL) or (SDL + S-LL), whichever is the greater .
(b) Composite Construction
(i) Stress Due to Dead Load.
ct
Top flange . . . . SDL = M DL ×
Isteel
cb
Bottom flange . . . . SDL = M DL ×
Isteel
(ii) Stress Due to Superimposed Dead Load
ct
Top flange composite . . . . SSDL = MSDL ×
ISDL
ct
Top flange noncomposite . . . . SDL = MSDL ×
Isteel
c
Bottom flange composite . . . . SSDL = MSDL × b
ISDL
5-11
DESCUS I
cb
Bottom flange noncomposite . . . . SDL = MSDL ×
Isteel
(iii) Stress Due to Live Load.
For maximum positive moment:
ct
Top flange composite . . . . SLL = M +LL ×
ILL
cb
Bottom flange composite . . . . SLL = M +LL ×
ILL
For maximum negative moment:
ct
Top flange noncomposite . . . . SLL = M-LL ×
Isteel
ct
Bottom flange noncomposite . . . . SLL = M -LL ×
Isteel
5.4.2 Total Stress Calculation

1. Table 20.1 is due to steel weight + structural detail factor + slab + haunch + integral wearing surface + misc. input
dead load
2. Tables 20.2 & 20.3 are due to future wearing surface + barriers + utilities + concrete sidewalk area + misc. input
superimposed dead load on noncomposite and composite sections, respectively
3. Tables 20.4 & 20.4 are live load + impact + misc. input live load on composite and noncomposite sections,
respectively.
4. If DL+SDL+ (pos. LL) is positive at that location, usually within positive moment region, Table 20.6 = Table 20.1
+ Table 20.3 + Table 20.4
5. If DL+SDL+ (neg. LL) is negative at that location, usually within negative moment region, Table 20.6 = Table
20.1 + Table 20.2 + Table 20.5
6. If in transition, usually between the crossings of total DL+SDL+ (pos. LL) and DL+SDL+ (neg. LL) curves, Table
20.6 is the worst of 4 and 5 above.
5-12
DESCUS I
5.5 Rating Procedures
5.5.1 Introduction
DESCUS I performs Rating calculations for the AASHTO Working Stress, Load Factor and Load and
Resistance Factor methods. To use the rating option the user must enter 2 in Data Type 0103 “Design
Option”. To accommodate different rating allowables from state to state, the user can override the default
values for rating which are described below.
1. For load factor rating, the Design Option in Data Type 0105 should be 1. The user can select
different load factors for either the AASHTO truck or Non-AASHTO trucks in Data Type 0105.
The default dead load factor is 1.3 and the default live load factor is 2.2.
2. For working stress rating, the Design Option in Data Type 0105 can either be 0 or left blank.
The user can select different factors for inventory rating and operating rating in Data Type 0105.
The inventory and operating rating factors have default values of 0.55 and 0.75, respectively.
If the post-process option in Data Type 0105 is selected, several post-process files will be generated by
DESCUS. The files created are called SCR.21 through SCR.26. These are influence line files which
should be renamed and stored for later post-processing.
The rating procedures used by the program follow the latest AASHTO Guide Specifications given in the
“Manual for Condition Evaluation of Bridges” and “Horizontally Curved Highway Bridges.”
Following are the formulas for Working Stress Rating (WSR), Load Factor Rating (LFR) and Load and
Resistance Factor Rating (LRFR) for curved steel highway bridges.
5.5.2 Working Stress Rating (WSR)

A. WSR for AASHTO Trucks
A1. Inventory Rating: The minimum of
⎡ FINV DL ⎤
⎢⎣ 0.55 Fb - f b ⎥⎦
(a) RF = LL+1
fb
(b) RF =
[F INV b+ W ]
× Fy - f DL
LL+1
f b+ W
5-13
DESCUS I
A2. Operating Rating: The minimum of
⎡ FOPT DL ⎤
⎢⎣ 0.55 Fb - f b ⎥⎦
(a) RF = LL+1
fb
(b) RF =
[F OPT b+ W ]
× Fy - f DL
LL+1
f b+ W
B. WSR for Non-AASHTO to Truck — The minimum of
⎡ FOPT DL ⎤
⎢⎣ 0.55 Fb - f b ⎥⎦
(a) RF = LL+1
fb
(b) RF =
[F OPT b+ W ]
× Fy - f DL
LL+1
f b+ W
Note: Item (b) is not applied to compression top flange with hardened concrete or tension flange.
5.5.3 Load Factor Rating (LFR) and Load and Resistance Factor Rating (LRFR)
A. LFR/LRFR for AASHTO Truck —
(a) RF =
[F b b ]
- γ f DL
γ β f b+ W
LL+1
(b) RF =
[F y b+ W ]
- γ f DL
γ β f b+ W
LL+1
(a)
[ -γ f b
RF = Fb LL+
DL
]
γ fb 1
(b) RF =
[F y b+ W ]
- γ f DL
γ f b+ W
LL+1
(b) is not applied to compression top flange with hardened concrete or tension flange.
B. LFR/LRFR for Non-AASHTO Truck — The minimum of

5-14
DESCUS I
(a)
[ -γ f b
RF = Fb LL+
DL
]
γ fb 1
(b) RF =
[F y b+ W ]
- γ f DL
γ f b+ W
LL+1
Note: Item (b) is not applied to compression top flange with hardened concrete or tension flange, or any
compact section flange.
where
Fb — Allowable bending stress for WSD, LFD or LRFD Method
Fy — Yield stress
fb — Bending stresses for dead load (DL) or live load (LL+1)
fb+W — Bending + warping stresses for dead load (DL) or live load (LL+1)
FINV — User-input Inventory Rating Factor (default = 0.55) for Working Stress rating
FOPT — User-input Operating Rating Factor (default = 0.75) for Working Stress rating
γ — Dead load factor (default = 1.3 for Load Factor rating or 1.25 to DC and 1.5 to DW for
Load and Resistance Factor rating)
β — Live load factor (default = 5/3 for Load Factor rating or 1.75 to normal vehicle and 1.35
to special vehicle for Load and Resistance Factor rating)
5.5.4 Rating Example Problem
Rating example output is attached at the end of this section.
5-15
DESCUS I
Fig. 5.1 Example Problem Framing Plan
5-16
DESCUS I
Fig. 5.2 Moment Influence Lines for Joint 3 of Girder 2
Fig. 5.3 Moment Influence Lines for Joint 6 of Girder 2
5-17
DESCUS I
Fig. 5.4 Torsion Influence Lines for Joint 3 of Girder 1
Fig. 5.5 Shear Influence Lines for Joint 3 of Girder 1
5-18
DESCUS I
Fig. 5.6 Reaction Influence Lines for First Support of Girder 1
Fig. 5.7 Moment Influence Lines of Diaphragm at Joint 3 of Girder 1
5-19
DESCUS I
Fig. 5.8 Shear Influence Lines of Diaphragm of Joint 3 of Girder 1
Fig. 5.9 Placement of Live Load on Influence Surface
5-20
DESCUS I
5-21
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5-22
DESCUS I
5-23
DESCUS I
5-24
DESCUS I
6.0 REFERENCES
1. Weaver, W., "Analysis of Framed Structures", Van Nostrand, 1965
2. Weaver, W., “Matrix Analysis of Framed Structures,” 3rd ed., Van Nostrand, 1990.
3. Galambos, T.Y., “Structural Member and Frames,” Prentice-Hall International Series in

Theoretical and Applied Mechanics.
4. McGuire, W., “Steel Structures,” Prentice-Hall International Series in Theoretical and Applied
Mechanics.
5. Seely, F.B. and Smith, J.O., “Advanced Mechanics of Materials.”
6. Heins, C.P. and Seaburg, P.A., “Torsion Analysis of Rolled Steel Section,” Bethlehem Steel
Company.
7. U.S. Steel, “Analysis and Design of Horizontally Curved Steel Bridge Girders,” U.S. Steel
Highway Structures Design Handbook.
8. Heins, C.P. and Firmage, D.A., “Design of Modern Steel Highway Bridges.”
9. AASHTO "Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges," 16th Edition, 1996, with up to 1998
Interims, Washington, D.C.
10. AASHTO "Guide Specifications for Horizontally Curved Highway Bridges," 1993, with up to
1998 Interims, Washington, D.C.
11. AASHTO "Manual for Bridge Evaluation," First Edition (2008) with 2010 Interims, Washington,
D.C.
12. AASHTO "LRFD Bridge Design Specifications," 5th Ed. 2010, Washington, D.C.
6-1
DESCUS I
APPENDIX A
DESCUS I EXAMPLE PROBLEM
Analysis and code check of a typical four girder, two span curved ramp structure were
performed. This is a welded plate girder structure with X-type diaphragms. Its framing plan is
shown in Figure A.1 and the cross section is presented in Figure A.2. The description of the
bridge is given below:
Item Description Variable

1 Number of girders 4
2 Number of spans 2
3 Radius of curvature of girder 1 300.0’
7 Span lengths of girder 1 85.0’, 85.0’
11 Spacing between girders 8.0’
12 Roadway width 29.0’
13 Overhang width, left and right 4.1’
14 Curb width, left and right 1.6’
15 Area of curb, left and right 1.5 sq. ft.
16 Design slab depth (excluding integral wearing surface) 8.0”
17 Integral wearing surface 0.5”
18 Future wearing surface 30.0 psf
19 Haunch depth and width 2.0”, 20.0”
20 Type of concentration Composite
21 Utility weight 100.0 lb/ft
22 Railing weight 20.0 lb/ft
23 Steel detail factor 1.2
24 Area of concentrate sidewalk 3.0 sq. ft.
25 Ultimate strength of concrete 4.0 ksi
26 Yield strength of steel 50 ksi (A588)
27 Live loading HS-20 and Interstate
28 Design criteria WSD and LFD
29 Dead load factor for LFD 1.3
30 Live load factor for LFD 2.2
31 Number of shear connector per row 3
32 Allowable range of horizontal shear, Zr per shear connector 8,115 lb
33 Number of girder numbers 40
34 Number of diaphragm members 33
35 Number of joints 44
36 Number of supports 12
The bridge structure was analyzed and the AASHTO WSD and LFD code check was performed.
Tables related to the first girder from the computer output were selected and presented.
A-1
DESCUS I
Fig. A.1 Example Problem Framing Plan
Fig. A.2 Example Problem Cross Section
A-2
DESCUS I
1 1
********************************************** ANALYSIS AND DESIGN DESCUS I
* * OF VER. 6.4
* TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR CURVED GIRDER * CURVED I GIRDER BRIDGE SYSTEM L F D
* ANALYSIS AND DESIGN * PAGE 7
* DESCUS I - VERSION 6.4 *
* * EXAMPLE PROBLEM
**********************************************
VOLUME OF DECK CONCRETE = 107.44 CUBIC METERS

DATE...... ---------------------------------------------
RUN TIME.. WEIGHT OF SUPERSTRUCTURE STEEL = 66445. kg

------------------------------------------------
CONTRACT.. 1
ANALYSIS AND DESIGN DESCUS I
CONTENTS PAGES OF VER. 6.4
---------------- ------------ CURVED I GIRDER BRIDGE SYSTEM L F D
PAGE 8
1. INPUT VERIFICATION ................................. EXAMPLE PROBLEM
2. VOLUME OF DECK CONCRETE + WEIGHT TABLE 2.1 NON-COMPOSITE SECTION PROPERTIES N=INFINITY
OF SUPERSTRUCTURE STEEL ............................ --------------------------------
3. GIRDER SECTION PROPERTIES .......................... GIRDER NO. 1

---------
4. DIAPHRAGM SECTION PROPERTIES ....................... SPAN MEM. MEMBER I C(T) C(B) C(T)reb Ireb
NO NO LENGTH
5. AVERAGE DEAD LOAD INTENSITIES ...................... (M) (MM**4) (MM) (MM) (MM) (MM**4)
6. LIVE LOAD DISTRIBUTION FACTOR ...................... 1 1 5.18 .5838E+10 697.24 420.36

1 2 5.18 .5838E+10 697.24 420.36
7. GIRDER MOMENTS ..................................... 1 3 5.18 .5838E+10 697.24 420.36
1 4 5.18 .5838E+10 697.24 420.36
8. GIRDER MOMENT + TORSION SUMMARY .................... 1 5 5.18 .1516E+11 636.72 531.68
9. GIRDER SHEARS ...................................... 2 6 5.18 .1516E+11 636.72 531.68

2 7 5.18 .5838E+10 697.24 420.36
10. MOMENT + SHEAR TABLE FOR DIAPHS .................... 2 8 5.18 .5838E+10 697.24 420.36
2 9 5.18 .5838E+10 697.24 420.36
11. REACTIONS .......................................... 2 10 5.18 .5838E+10 697.24 420.36
12. DEAD LOAD DEFLECTIONS ..............................
13. MAXIMUM LIVE LOAD DEFLECTIONS ......................
14. STRESSES, MAX. SHEAR CONNECTOR

+ STIFFNER SPACINGS REQUIRED
GIRDER NUMBER
ONE ...........................................
TWO ...........................................
THREE ...........................................
FOUR ...........................................
FIVE ...........................................
SIX ...........................................
SEVEN ...........................................
EIGHT ...........................................
NINE ...........................................
TEN ...........................................
ELEVEN ...........................................
TWELVE ...........................................
THIRTEEN ...........................................
15. CODE CHECKES
GIRDERS ARE NUMBERED RIGHT TO LEFT STATIONS AHEAD
ENTRY OF SCAN/DEAD LOAD ANALYSIS
A-3
DESCUS I
1
1 ANALYSIS AND DESIGN DESCUS I
ANALYSIS AND DESIGN DESCUS I OF VER. 6.4
OF VER. 6.4 CURVED I GIRDER BRIDGE SYSTEM L F D
CURVED I GIRDER BRIDGE SYSTEM L F D PAGE 16
PAGE 12 EXAMPLE PROBLEM
EXAMPLE PROBLEM TABLE 2.3 COMPOSITE SECTION PROPERTIES N = 8.0

----------------------------
TABLE 2.2 COMPOSITE SECTION PROPERTIES N = 24.0
---------------------------- GIRDER NO. 1
---------
GIRDER NO. 1 SPAN MEM. MEMBER I Q/I C(C) C(T) C(B)
--------- NO NO LENGTH
SPAN MEM. MEMBER I C(C) C(T) C(B) (M) (MM**4) (1/MM) (MM) (MM) (MM)
NO NO LENGTH
(M) (MM**4) (MM) (MM) (MM) 1 1 5.18 .1913E+11 .0009 350.57 115.62 1001.98
1 2 5.18 .1913E+11 .0009 350.57 115.62 1001.98
1 1 5.18 .1413E+11 566.25 331.30 786.30 1 3 5.18 .1913E+11 .0009 350.57 115.62 1001.98
1 2 5.18 .1413E+11 566.25 331.30 786.30 1 4 5.18 .1913E+11 .0009 350.57 115.62 1001.98
1 3 5.18 .1413E+11 566.25 331.30 786.30 1 5 5.18 .3130E+11 .0007 446.29 243.09 925.31
1 4 5.18 .1413E+11 566.25 331.30 786.30
1 5 5.18 .2348E+11 635.96 432.76 735.64 2 6 5.18 .3130E+11 .0007 446.29 243.09 925.31
2 7 5.18 .1913E+11 .0009 350.57 115.62 1001.98
2 6 5.18 .2348E+11 635.96 432.76 735.64 2 8 5.18 .1913E+11 .0009 350.57 115.62 1001.98
2 7 5.18 .1413E+11 566.25 331.30 786.30 2 9 5.18 .1913E+11 .0009 350.57 115.62 1001.98
2 8 5.18 .1413E+11 566.25 331.30 786.30 2 10 5.18 .1913E+11 .0009 350.57 115.62 1001.98
2 9 5.18 .1413E+11 566.25 331.30 786.30
2 10 5.18 .1413E+11 566.25 331.30 786.30
A-4
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1
PAGE 20
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
TABLE 3.1.1 DEFINITION OF POINTS OF CONTRAFLEXURE
TABLE 2.4 DIAPHRAGM SECTION PROPERTIES -------------------------------------
---------------------------- LOCATION OF POINTS OF CONTRAFLEXURE
(DISTANCE FROM LEFT END SUPPORT)
MEMBER CROSS BEAM CROSS FRAME MEMBER
NO ----------------- ---------------------------------------------- TYPE GIRDER SPAN POINT 1 POINT 2
I C TOP LENGTH BOT LENGTH DIAG LENGTH NO. NO. (m) (m)
A(T) A(B) A(D) 1 1 .00 17.59
(MM**4) (MM) (MM**2) (MM) (MM**2) (MM) (MM**2) (MM) 1 2 34.22 51.81
1 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10 2 1 .00 17.94
2 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10 2 2 35.25 53.19
3 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10 3 1 .00 18.35
4 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10 3 2 36.22 54.57
5 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10 4 1 .00 18.69
6 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10 4 2 37.26 55.95
7 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10
8 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10 1
9 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10 ANALYSIS AND DESIGN DESCUS I
10 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10 OF VER. 6.4
11 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10 CURVED I GIRDER BRIDGE SYSTEM L F D
12 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10 PAGE 22
13 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10
14 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10 EXAMPLE PROBLEM
15 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10
16 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10 0 TABLE 3.1 AVERAGE DEAD LOAD INTENSITIES
17 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10 -----------------------------
18 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10 GIRDER SPAN STEEL STEEL SUPERIMPOSED
19 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10 NO NO +SLAB DEAD LOAD
20 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10 (KN/M) (KN/M) (KN/M)
21 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10 1 1 3.0237 16.3151 6.9319
22 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10 1 2 3.0237 16.3151 6.9319
23 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10
24 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10 2 1 3.0237 16.1549 6.9319
25 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10 2 2 3.0237 16.1552 6.9319
26 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10
27 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10 3 1 3.0237 16.1549 6.9319
28 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10 3 2 3.0237 16.1551 6.9319
29 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10
30 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10 4 1 3.0237 16.3151 6.9319
31 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10 4 2 3.0237 16.3151 6.9319
32 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10
33 .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2438. .16E+04 2604. 10
A-5
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1
PAGE 23
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
TABLE 3.3 = SUPPORT TWISTINGS
TABLE 3.2 = SUPPORT ROTATIONS ***************
***************
DEAD LOAD,[1] SDL & MISC. LOAD,[2] DL+SDL+MISC=[1]+[2] DEAD LOAD,[1] SDL & MISC. LOAD,[2] DL+SDL+MISC=[1]+[2]
GIRDER SUPT ----------------- ------------------- -------------------- GIRDER SUPT ----------------- ------------------- --------------------
NO. NO. RADIAN DEGREE RADIAN DEGREE RADIAN DEGREE NO. NO. RADIAN DEGREE RADIAN DEGREE RADIAN DEGREE
1 1 .00334 .19142 .00073 .04191 .00407 .23332 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 2 .00000 -.00002 .00000 -.00001 .00000 -.00002 1 1 .00003 .00171 -.00002 -.00091 .00001 .00080
1 3 -.00334 -.19137 -.00073 -.04190 -.00407 -.23327 1 2 .00107 .06116 .00036 .02085 .00143 .08201
1 3 .00003 .00190 -.00002 -.00087 .00002 .00103
2 1 .00423 .24212 .00093 .05322 .00515 .29534
2 2 .00000 -.00003 .00000 -.00001 .00000 -.00004 2 1 .00002 .00129 .00000 -.00025 .00002 .00104
2 3 -.00423 -.24214 -.00093 -.05323 -.00516 -.29537 2 2 .00069 .03937 .00024 .01392 .00093 .05330
2 3 .00002 .00135 .00000 -.00024 .00002 .00111
3 1 .00507 .29068 .00112 .06402 .00619 .35470
3 2 .00000 -.00001 .00000 .00000 .00000 -.00001 3 1 .00003 .00160 .00000 -.00024 .00002 .00136
3 3 -.00507 -.29067 -.00112 -.06402 -.00619 -.35469 3 2 .00079 .04545 .00029 .01637 .00108 .06182
3 3 .00003 .00145 .00000 -.00027 .00002 .00118
4 1 .00609 .34892 .00138 .07888 .00747 .42780
4 2 .00000 -.00001 .00000 -.00001 .00000 -.00002 4 1 .00006 .00344 -.00001 -.00059 .00005 .00285
4 3 -.00609 -.34892 -.00138 -.07888 -.00747 -.42780 4 2 .00152 .08712 .00057 .03253 .00209 .11964
--------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 3 .00006 .00328 -.00001 -.00063 .00005 .00265
NOTE : SIGN CONVENTION FOR SUPPORT ROTATIONS ---------------------------------------------------------------------
+ = CLOCKWISE NOTE : SIGN CONVENTION FOR SUPPORT TWISTINGS
- = COUNTERCLOCKWISE + = CLOCKWISE, STATIONS LOOKING AHEAD
- = COUNTERCLOCKWISE, STATIONS LOOKING AHEAD
ENTRY OF INFLUENCE SURFACE GENERATION

END OF INFLUENCE SURFACE GENERATION
ENTRY OF LIVE LOAD GENERATION
A-6
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1
PAGE 25
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
TABLE 5.1 MOMENTS (UNFACTORED)
TABLE 4.1 LIVE LOAD DISTRIBUTION FACTOR (COMPUTED BY PROGRAM) --------------------
------------------------------------------------------------- 0GIRDER NO. 1
----------
GIRDER SPAN
NO. NO. DISTRIBUTION FACTORS SPN INC D FROM DL MOM SDL MOM LL+I LOAD LL+I LOAD SIDEWALK
NO NO L SUPP MAX POS TYP MAX NEG TYP POS NEG
1 1 .63 .63 .63 .13 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 (M) (M-KN) (M-KN) (M-KN) (M-KN) (M-KN) (M-KN)
1 2 .63 .63 .63 .13 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00
1 0 .00 .0 .0 .1 HS -.5 HS .0 .0
2 1 .38 .88 .63 .13 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 1 1 5.18 405.2 198.1 724.5 HS -71.2 HS .0 .0
2 2 .38 .88 .63 .13 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 1 2 10.36 479.3 249.4 952.1 HS -149.9 HS .0 .0
1 3 15.55 237.9 163.6 855.8 HS -242.4 HS .0 .0
3 1 .13 .63 .88 .38 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 1 4 20.73 -363.8 -69.8 443.4 HS -358.1 HS .0 .0
3 2 .13 .63 .88 .38 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 1 5 25.91 -1483.4 -496.2 .0 -801.0 L .0 .0
4 1 .13 .63 .63 .63 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 2 0 .00 -1483.5 -496.2 .0 -801.0 L .0 .0
4 2 .13 .63 .63 .63 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 2 1 5.18 -363.8 -69.7 443.2 HS -358.1 HS .0 .0
2 2 10.36 238.0 163.7 855.7 HS -242.4 HS .0 .0
2 3 15.55 479.3 249.4 952.3 HS -149.9 HS .0 .0
2 4 20.73 405.1 198.1 724.9 HS -71.1 HS .0 .0
2 5 25.91 .0 .0 .1 HS -.4 HS .0 .0
A-7
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PAGE 30
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
TABLE 5B.2 SHEARS FOR ALL AASHTO LOADING (LL+I) IN (KN)
TABLE 5.2 MOMENT AND TORSION SUMMARY (UNFACTORED)
------------------------------------------------- GIRDER NO. 1
----------
GIRDER NO. 1
---------- SPAN INC D FROM TRUCK LANE INTERSTATE
NO NO L SUPP POS. NEG. POS. NEG. POS. NEG.
SP IC D FROM BENDING MOMENT DEAD LOAD TORSION LIVE LOAD TORSION (M)
NO NO L SUPP MAX MIN DL SDL TOTAL MAX LD MIN LD 1 0 .00 207.2 .0 165.1 -7.3 76.7 .0
(M) (M-KN) (M-KN) (M-KN) (M-KN) (M-KN) (M-KN) TYP (M-KN) TYP 1 1 5.18 152.8 -40.9 112.8 -42.2 113.4 -46.0
1 2 10.36 99.2 -87.3 71.4 -67.1 78.6 -67.0
1 0 .0 .1 -.5 -2.7 1.5 -1.2 3.0 HS -16.1 HS 1 3 15.55 62.1 -129.5 42.5 -101.5 51.0 -90.0
1 1 5.2 1327.8 532.2 14.2 6.5 20.7 3.0 HS -13.8 HS 1 4 20.73 24.0 -175.1 21.8 -149.2 29.4 -122.4
1 2 10.4 1680.8 578.8 15.4 6.9 22.3 6.0 HS -6.6 HS 1 5 25.91 .0 -215.6 .0 -203.1 .0 -160.2
1 3 15.5 1257.4 159.2 11.5 5.5 17.1 7.1 HS .0
1 4 20.7 9.8 -791.6 -15.1 -2.8 -18.0 10.0 HS -.8 HS 2 0 .00 223.3 .0 219.5 .0 161.8 .0
1 5 25.9 -1979.6 -2780.5 -48.4 -16.4 -64.8 4.9 HS -4.9 HS 2 1 5.18 175.9 -23.8 149.6 -21.8 122.5 -29.4
2 2 10.36 129.4 -66.2 101.3 -44.1 90.0 -51.9
2 0 .0 -1979.7 -2780.6 -48.4 -16.4 -64.8 4.9 HS -4.9 HS 2 3 15.55 82.7 -107.0 65.5 -74.4 66.1 -80.1
2 1 5.2 9.6 -791.6 -15.1 -2.8 -18.0 .8 HS -10.0 HS 2 4 20.73 40.9 -152.9 42.1 -113.2 46.0 -113.4
2 2 10.4 1257.3 159.2 11.5 5.5 17.1 .0 -7.1 HS 2 5 25.91 .0 -207.2 7.3 -165.1 .0 -76.7
2 3 15.5 1681.0 578.8 15.4 6.9 22.3 6.6 HS -6.0 HS 1
2 4 20.7 1328.1 532.1 14.2 6.5 20.7 13.7 HS -3.0 HS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN DESCUS I
2 5 25.9 .1 -.4 -2.7 1.5 -1.2 16.1 HS .0 OF VER. 6.4
1 CURVED I GIRDER BRIDGE SYSTEM L F D
ANALYSIS AND DESIGN DESCUS I PAGE 42
OF VER. 6.4 EXAMPLE PROBLEM
CURVED I GIRDER BRIDGE SYSTEM L F D
PAGE 34 TABLE 6.1 SHEARS (UNFACTORED)
-------------------
EXAMPLE PROBLEM 0GIRDER NO. 1
---------
TABLE 5B.1 MOMENTS FOR ALL AASHTO LOADING (LL+I) IN (M-KN) SPN INC D FROM DL+SDL LL+I LOAD LL+I LOAD SHEAR SIDEWALK
NO NO L SUPP MAX POS TYP MAX NEG TYP RANGE POS NEG
GIRDER NO. 1 (M) (KN) (KN) (KN) (KN) (KN)
----------
1 0 .00 175.4 207.2 HS -7.3 L 214.49 .0 .0
SPAN INC D FROM TRUCK LANE INTERSTATE 1 1 5.18 83.1 152.8 HS -46.0 I 198.80 .0 .0
NO NO L SUPP POS. NEG. POS. NEG. POS. NEG. 1 2 10.36 -4.3 99.2 HS -87.3 HS 186.48 .0 .0
(M) 1 3 15.55 -102.4 62.1 HS -129.5 HS 191.59 .0 .0
1 0 .00 .1 -.5 .1 -.3 .1 -.3 1 4 20.73 -233.1 29.4 I -175.1 HS 204.48 .0 .0
1 1 5.18 724.5 -71.2 515.9 -55.1 567.8 -50.4 1 5 25.91 -364.1 .0 -215.6 HS 215.62 .0 .0
1 2 10.36 952.1 -149.9 712.6 -116.2 757.7 -106.3
1 3 15.55 855.8 -242.4 637.9 -189.2 682.8 -172.6 2 0 .00 364.1 223.3 HS .0 HS 223.30 .0 .0
1 4 20.73 443.4 -358.1 309.6 -279.3 386.5 -254.5 2 1 5.18 220.2 175.9 HS -29.4 I 205.22 .0 .0
1 5 25.91 .0 -515.0 .0 -801.0 .0 -365.0 2 2 10.36 122.0 129.4 HS -66.2 HS 195.61 .0 .0
2 3 15.55 34.7 82.7 HS -107.0 HS 189.73 .0 .0
2 0 .00 .0 -515.0 .0 -801.0 .0 -365.0 2 4 20.73 -57.6 46.0 I -152.9 HS 198.90 .0 .0
2 1 5.18 443.2 -358.1 309.5 -279.3 386.3 -254.5 2 5 25.91 -175.4 7.3 L -207.2 HS 214.49 .0 .0
2 2 10.36 855.7 -242.4 637.8 -189.2 682.7 -172.6
2 3 15.55 952.3 -149.9 712.7 -116.2 757.9 -106.4
2 4 20.73 724.9 -71.1 516.1 -55.1 568.1 -50.4
2 5 25.91 .1 -.4 .1 -.3 .1 -.3
A-8
DESCUS I
1 1
ANALYSIS AND DESIGN DESCUS I ANALYSIS AND DESIGN DESCUS I
OF VER. 6.4 OF VER. 6.4
CURVED I GIRDER BRIDGE SYSTEM L F D CURVED I GIRDER BRIDGE SYSTEM L F D
PAGE 46 PAGE 47
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
TABLE 7.1 MOMENT AND SHEAR TABLE FOR DIAPHRAGMS
TABLE 7.1 MOMENT AND SHEAR TABLE FOR DIAPHRAGMS -------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
LOAD FACTOR DESIGN UNFACT. UNFACT. UNFACTORED FACTORED UNFACTORED
LOAD FACTOR DESIGN UNFACT. UNFACT. UNFACTORED FACTORED UNFACTORED SEQ MEM GIRDER NO DL SDL LIVE LOAD N=N1 TOTAL LL RANGE
SEQ MEM GIRDER NO DL SDL LIVE LOAD N=N1 TOTAL LL RANGE NUM NUM FROM TO N=INF N=N2 MIN. MAX. MIN. MAX. J-END
NUM NUM FROM TO N=INF N=N2 MIN. MAX. MIN. MAX. J-END --- ---- ---- ---- ------- ------- -------------- -------------- ------------
--- ---- ---- ---- ------- ------- -------------- -------------- ------------ M(KN-m) M(KN-m) M(KN-m)M(KN-m) M(KN-m)M(KN-m) M(KN-m)
M(KN-m) M(KN-m) M(KN-m)M(KN-m) M(KN-m)M(KN-m) M(KN-m) ------- ------- ------ ------- ------ ------- ------
------- ------- ------ ------- ------ ------- ------ CV (KN) CV (KN) CV(K) CV(K) CV(K) CV(K) CV(K)
CV (KN) CV (KN) CV(K) CV(K) CV(K) CV(K) CV(K)
23 63 3 4 -2.1 .3 -4.6 16.5 -12.4 33.9 21.1
1 41 1 2 -2.7 1.5 -9.3 3.9 -22.0 7.1 13.2 3.1 -.5 2.8 -9.6 9.5 -17.7 12.4
1.9 -.7 5.5 -1.2 13.5 -1.1 6.7 24 64 3 4 -2.8 -.3 -35.3 43.0 -81.8 90.5 78.3
2 42 1 2 25.3 10.6 -27.6 28.9 -14.0 110.4 56.5 -17.3 -8.1 6.7 -22.4 -18.3 -82.4 29.1
-17.9 -7.6 9.6 -19.7 -12.0 -76.4 29.3 25 65 3 4 -4.1 -1.2 -52.3 50.5 -122.0 104.2 102.8
3 43 1 2 29.3 13.1 -39.5 36.7 -31.7 135.8 76.1 -19.7 -9.9 12.1 -27.4 -11.8 -98.7 39.5
-20.9 -9.5 14.7 -25.6 -7.2 -95.9 40.3 26 66 3 4 -1.5 -.6 -49.9 49.4 -112.6 105.9 99.3
4 44 1 2 16.5 10.3 -38.6 33.2 -50.2 107.9 71.8 -9.5 -7.1 10.8 -26.4 2.2 -79.6 37.2
-12.2 -7.4 14.5 -23.6 6.4 -77.5 38.2 27 67 3 4 -12.8 -3.9 -28.4 37.7 -84.1 61.3 66.1
5 45 1 2 -19.1 -2.4 -25.0 20.8 -83.1 17.9 45.9 20.8 4.6 2.2 -18.6 37.8 -8.0 20.8
11.5 1.4 8.6 -14.4 35.7 -15.0 23.0 28 68 3 4 -62.3 -22.2 -18.3 .0 -150.2 -109.9 18.3
6 46 1 2 -96.7 -32.9 -16.1 .0 -203.9 -168.5 16.1 82.8 30.5 8.4 .0 165.9 147.3 8.4
62.8 21.7 7.6 .0 126.6 109.9 7.6 29 69 3 4 -12.7 -3.9 -28.4 37.7 -84.1 61.3 66.1
7 47 1 2 -19.1 -2.4 -25.1 20.8 -83.2 17.9 45.9 20.8 4.6 2.2 -18.6 37.8 -8.0 20.8
11.5 1.4 8.6 -14.4 35.8 -14.9 23.1 30 70 3 4 -1.4 -.6 -49.9 49.4 -112.5 105.9 99.3
8 48 1 2 16.5 10.3 -38.6 33.2 -50.2 107.9 71.9 -9.5 -7.1 10.8 -26.4 2.2 -79.7 37.2
-12.2 -7.4 14.5 -23.6 6.5 -77.5 38.2 31 71 3 4 -4.1 -1.2 -52.3 50.5 -122.0 104.2 102.8
9 49 1 2 29.3 13.1 -39.5 36.7 -31.7 135.7 76.1 -19.7 -9.9 12.1 -27.4 -11.8 -98.7 39.5
-20.9 -9.5 14.7 -25.6 -7.2 -95.9 40.3 32 72 3 4 -2.9 -.3 -35.3 43.0 -81.8 90.4 78.3
10 50 1 2 25.3 10.6 -27.6 28.9 -13.9 110.4 56.5 -17.3 -8.1 6.7 -22.4 -18.3 -82.4 29.1
-17.9 -7.6 9.6 -19.7 -12.1 -76.5 29.2 33 73 3 4 -2.1 .3 -4.6 16.5 -12.4 34.0 21.1
11 51 1 2 -2.7 1.5 -9.3 3.9 -22.0 7.2 13.2 3.1 -.5 2.8 -9.6 9.5 -17.7 12.4
1.7 -.8 5.4 -1.2 13.2 -1.4 6.7 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 52 2 3 -1.9 .4 -2.8 4.0 -8.2 6.8 6.8 NOTE: LIVE LOAD MOMENTS ARE PRINTED AT J END OF THE DIAPHRAGM.
1.8 -.3 1.2 -2.3 4.6 -3.1 3.5 X AXIS IS FROM J END TO K END. Z AXIS IS UP.
13 53 2 3 13.9 6.5 -26.9 54.6 -32.7 146.7 81.5 Y AXIS IS NORMAL TO X AXIS ON THE SAME GRID PLANE.
-22.5 -9.6 14.5 -26.5 -9.9 -100.1 41.0
14 54 2 3 15.7 7.7 -34.7 71.4 -46.0 187.4 106.1
-26.2 -12.3 16.2 -31.8 -14.4 -120.1 48.0
15 55 2 3 6.6 5.4 -34.2 68.7 -59.6 166.7 102.9
-12.4 -8.8 16.1 -30.6 7.9 -95.0 46.8
16 56 2 3 -15.8 -2.9 -22.6 46.7 -74.1 78.4 69.3
13.1 1.4 12.0 -22.2 45.2 -29.9 34.1
17 57 2 3 -58.9 -20.8 -7.9 .0 -121.1 -103.7 7.9
53.0 18.9 3.7 .0 101.6 93.5 3.7
18 58 2 3 -15.8 -2.8 -22.6 46.7 -74.1 78.5 69.4
13.1 1.4 12.0 -22.2 45.2 -30.0 34.1
19 59 2 3 6.7 5.4 -34.2 68.7 -59.6 166.8 102.9
-12.5 -8.8 16.1 -30.6 7.8 -95.0 46.7
20 60 2 3 15.7 7.7 -34.7 71.4 -45.9 187.4 106.1
-26.2 -12.3 16.2 -31.8 -14.4 -120.1 48.0
21 61 2 3 13.8 6.4 -26.9 54.6 -32.9 146.5 81.5
-22.4 -9.6 14.5 -26.5 -9.9 -100.1 41.0
22 62 2 3 -2.3 .3 -2.8 3.9 -8.7 6.1 6.8
2.0 -.3 1.2 -2.3 4.9 -2.8 3.5
A-9
DESCUS I
-9.6 -6.20 9.6 6.20 -113.4 -73.17

1 27 67 10 3 4 41.6 26.87 -41.6 -26.87 53.8 34.70
ANALYSIS AND DESIGN DESCUS I -56.4 -36.38 56.4 36.38 -11.3 -7.31
OF VER. 6.4 28 68 10 3 4 -56.9 -36.69 56.9 36.69 236.1 152.36
CURVED I GIRDER BRIDGE SYSTEM L F D -76.2 -49.19 76.2 49.19 209.8 135.35
PAGE 48 29 69 10 3 4 41.6 26.86 -41.6 -26.86 53.8 34.69
EXAMPLE PROBLEM -56.4 -36.39 56.4 36.39 -11.4 -7.32
30 70 10 3 4 120.2 77.53 -120.2 -77.53 3.1 2.00
TABLE 7.2 AXIAL FORCE AND STRESS TABLE FOR DIAPHRAGMS -9.6 -6.21 9.6 6.21 -113.4 -73.18
------------------------------------------- 31 71 10 3 4 149.2 96.26 -149.2 -96.26 -16.8 -10.87
(MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM FORCES AND STRESSES) 17.6 11.35 -17.6 -11.35 -140.5 -90.64
LOAD FACTOR DESIGN (ALL FACTORED) 32 72 10 3 4 113.9 73.49 -113.9 -73.49 -26.1 -16.83
11.0 7.08 -11.0 -7.08 -117.4 -75.72
X OR K X OR K 33 73 10 3 4 .8 .54 -.8 -.54 13.6 8.74
SEQ MEM MEM GIRDER TOP CHORD BOT CHORD DIAGONAL -13.5 -8.73 13.5 8.73 -25.3 -16.30
NUM NUM TYPE NUM NUM FORCE STRESS FORCE STRESS FORCE STRESS --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(KN) (MPa) (KN) (MPa) (KN) (MPa) NOTE: 1ST LINE IS MINIMUM AND 2ND LINE IS MAXIMUM.
TENSION IS POSITIVE AND COMPRESSION IS NEGATIVE.
1 41 10 1 2 6.1 3.91 -6.1 -3.91 19.2 12.40 DIAGONAL SHOULD BE DESIGNED FOR THE WORST OF TENSION
-6.3 -4.06 6.3 4.06 -1.6 -1.04 AND COMPRESSION.
2 42 10 1 2 31.3 20.20 -31.3 -20.20 -17.1 -11.04
-18.9 -12.18 18.9 12.18 -108.7 -70.16
3 43 10 1 2 44.3 28.60 -44.3 -28.60 -10.3 -6.64
-20.6 -13.29 20.6 13.29 -136.6 -88.12
4 44 10 1 2 46.3 29.88 -46.3 -29.88 9.1 5.89
-14.6 -9.45 14.6 9.45 -110.4 -71.22
5 45 10 1 2 43.2 27.89 -43.2 -27.89 50.9 32.84
.4 .26 -.4 -.26 -21.3 -13.74
6 46 10 1 2 54.3 35.00 -54.3 -35.00 180.2 116.29
37.9 24.43 -37.9 -24.43 156.4 100.92
7 47 10 1 2 43.2 27.88 -43.2 -27.88 51.0 32.90
.3 .22 -.3 -.22 -21.2 -13.69
8 48 10 1 2 46.3 29.85 -46.3 -29.85 9.2 5.94
-14.7 -9.49 14.7 9.49 -110.3 -71.17
9 49 10 1 2 44.3 28.60 -44.3 -28.60 -10.3 -6.64
-20.6 -13.28 20.6 13.28 -136.6 -88.11
10 50 10 1 2 31.4 20.26 -31.4 -20.26 -17.3 -11.15
-18.7 -12.09 18.7 12.09 -108.9 -70.25
11 51 10 1 2 6.4 4.13 -6.4 -4.13 18.8 12.16
-5.9 -3.83 5.9 3.83 -2.0 -1.30
12 52 10 2 3 2.8 1.82 -2.8 -1.82 6.5 4.21
-3.2 -2.09 3.2 2.09 -4.4 -2.86
13 53 10 2 3 49.0 31.60 -49.0 -31.60 -14.1 -9.12
-26.9 -17.39 26.9 17.39 -142.6 -91.99
14 54 10 2 3 69.5 44.84 -69.5 -44.84 -20.5 -13.25
-44.9 -28.95 44.9 28.95 -170.9-110.30
15 55 10 2 3 54.7 35.32 -54.7 -35.32 11.2 7.22
-55.7 -35.92 55.7 35.92 -135.2 -87.26
16 56 10 2 3 20.9 13.46 -20.9 -13.46 64.3 41.50
-45.8 -29.56 45.8 29.56 -42.6 -27.50
17 57 10 2 3 -3.0 -1.94 3.0 1.94 144.6 93.32
-11.2 -7.26 11.2 7.26 133.1 85.86
18 58 10 2 3 20.8 13.43 -20.8 -13.43 64.3 41.48
-45.9 -29.61 45.9 29.61 -42.7 -27.52
19 59 10 2 3 54.7 35.29 -54.7 -35.29 11.2 7.20
-55.7 -35.97 55.7 35.97 -135.3 -87.28
20 60 10 2 3 69.5 44.84 -69.5 -44.84 -20.6 -13.26
-44.9 -28.94 44.9 28.94 -171.0-110.31
21 61 10 2 3 49.1 31.68 -49.1 -31.68 -14.0 -9.05
-26.8 -17.29 26.8 17.29 -142.5 -91.92
22 62 10 2 3 3.0 1.97 -3.0 -1.97 7.0 4.49
-2.9 -1.89 2.9 1.89 -4.0 -2.59
23 63 10 3 4 .9 .57 -.9 -.57 13.6 8.77
-13.5 -8.72 13.5 8.72 -25.2 -16.27
24 64 10 3 4 113.9 73.47 -113.9 -73.47 -26.1 -16.85
11.0 7.07 -11.0 -7.07 -117.4 -75.74
25 65 10 3 4 149.2 96.26 -149.2 -96.26 -16.9 -10.88
17.6 11.35 -17.6 -11.35 -140.5 -90.65
26 66 10 3 4 120.2 77.54 -120.2 -77.54 3.1 2.01
A-10
DESCUS I
1 1
PAGE 49 PAGE 50
EXAMPLE PROBLEM EXAMPLE PROBLEM
TABLE 7.3 (LL+I) AXIAL FORCE AND STRESS RANGE FOR DIAPHRAGMS TABLE 8.1 REACTIONS (KN) (UNFACTORED)
-------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------
GD SUPP DEAD LIVE LOAD TOTAL
X OR K X OR K NO NO LOAD -------------------------------- --------------------
SEQ MEM MEM GIRDER TOP CHORD BOT CHORD DIAGONAL MAX TYPE MIN TYPE MAX+I MIN+I
NUM NUM TYPE NUM NUM FORCE STRESS FORCE STRESS FORCE STRESS (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (1+2) (1+4+X) (1+5+X)
---- ---- ---- ---- --- ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- ------
(KN) (MPa) (KN) (MPa) (KN) (MPa) 1 1 176.5 165.0 HS -9.3 HS 204.5 -11.6 341.6 381.1 165.0
1 2 812.8 267.8 L .0 331.9 .0 1080.6 1144.7 812.8
1 41 10 1 2 5.6 3.62 5.6 3.62 9.5 6.11 1 3 176.3 165.0 HS -9.3 HS 204.5 -11.5 341.3 380.8 164.8
2 42 10 1 2 22.8 14.72 22.8 14.72 41.6 26.87
3 43 10 1 2 29.5 19.04 29.5 19.04 57.4 37.03 2 1 203.9 224.8 HS -11.5 HS 277.8 -14.2 428.7 481.7 189.6
4 44 10 1 2 27.7 17.88 27.7 17.88 54.3 35.05 2 2 778.4 307.5 L .0 380.0 .0 1085.9 1158.5 778.4
5 45 10 1 2 19.5 12.56 19.5 12.56 32.8 21.17 2 3 204.3 224.9 HS -11.6 HS 277.9 -14.3 429.2 482.2 190.0
6 46 10 1 2 7.5 4.81 7.5 4.81 10.8 6.99
7 47 10 1 2 19.5 12.57 19.5 12.57 32.8 21.18 3 1 227.2 228.2 HS -16.3 HS 281.5 -20.1 455.4 508.7 207.2
8 48 10 1 2 27.7 17.88 27.7 17.88 54.3 35.05 3 2 910.7 335.6 L .0 414.1 .0 1246.4 1324.8 910.7
9 49 10 1 2 29.5 19.04 29.5 19.04 57.4 37.03 3 3 227.0 228.2 HS -16.2 HS 281.5 -20.0 455.1 508.4 206.9
10 50 10 1 2 22.8 14.70 22.8 14.70 41.6 26.87
11 51 10 1 2 5.6 3.62 5.6 3.62 9.5 6.11 4 1 252.4 193.1 HS -32.7 HS 237.8 -40.2 445.5 490.2 212.2
12 52 10 2 3 2.8 1.78 2.8 1.78 5.0 3.21 4 2 769.6 278.4 L .0 342.8 .0 1048.0 1112.4 769.6
13 53 10 2 3 34.5 22.27 34.5 22.27 58.4 37.67 4 3 252.4 193.1 HS -32.7 HS 237.8 -40.2 445.5 490.2 212.2
14 54 10 2 3 52.0 33.54 52.0 33.54 68.4 44.11 1
15 55 10 2 3 50.2 32.38 50.2 32.38 66.6 42.95 ANALYSIS AND DESIGN DESCUS I
16 56 10 2 3 30.3 19.56 30.3 19.56 48.6 31.36 OF VER. 6.4
17 57 10 2 3 3.7 2.42 3.7 2.42 5.3 3.39 CURVED I GIRDER BRIDGE SYSTEM L F D
18 58 10 2 3 30.3 19.57 30.3 19.57 48.6 31.37 PAGE 51
19 59 10 2 3 50.2 32.39 50.2 32.39 66.6 42.95 EXAMPLE PROBLEM
20 60 10 2 3 52.0 33.54 52.0 33.54 68.4 44.11
21 61 10 2 3 34.5 22.26 34.5 22.26 58.4 37.67 TABLE 9.1A DEAD LOAD DEFLECTIONS AT TENTH POINT
22 62 10 2 3 2.7 1.75 2.7 1.75 5.0 3.22 -----------------------------------
23 63 10 3 4 6.5 4.22 6.5 4.22 17.6 11.38 0GIRDER NO. 1
24 64 10 3 4 46.8 30.18 46.8 30.18 41.5 26.77
25 65 10 3 4 59.8 38.59 59.8 38.59 56.2 36.26 SPAN INCR. DIST FROM DEAD LOAD DEFLECTION (MM)
26 66 10 3 4 59.0 38.06 59.0 38.06 53.0 34.17 NO NO L.SUPPORT ---------------------------------
27 67 10 3 4 44.6 28.75 44.6 28.75 29.6 19.10 STEEL SLAB+(1) SDL TOTAL
28 68 10 3 4 8.8 5.68 8.8 5.68 12.0 7.73 (M) (1) (2) (3) (2+3)
29 69 10 3 4 44.6 28.75 44.6 28.75 29.6 19.10 1 1 .00 .0 .0 .0 .0
30 70 10 3 4 59.0 38.06 59.0 38.06 53.0 34.17 1 2 2.59 -1.5 -9.0 -2.0 -11.0
31 71 10 3 4 59.8 38.59 59.8 38.59 56.2 36.26 1 3 5.18 -2.6 -15.6 -3.5 -19.1
32 72 10 3 4 46.8 30.18 46.8 30.18 41.5 26.77 1 4 7.77 -3.3 -20.1 -4.6 -24.7
33 73 10 3 4 6.5 4.22 6.5 4.22 17.6 11.38 1 5 10.36 -3.6 -21.7 -5.1 -26.8
1 6 12.95 -3.4 -20.3 -5.0 -25.4
1 7 15.55 -2.7 -16.1 -4.3 -20.4
1 8 18.14 -1.9 -11.3 -3.2 -14.6
1 9 20.73 -.9 -5.3 -1.7 -7.1
1 10 23.32 -.4 -2.0 -.7 -2.7
1 11 25.91 .0 .0 .0 .0
2 1 .00 .0 .0 .0 .0
2 2 2.59 -.4 -2.0 -.7 -2.7
2 3 5.18 -.9 -5.3 -1.7 -7.1
2 4 7.77 -1.9 -11.3 -3.2 -14.6
2 5 10.36 -2.7 -16.1 -4.3 -20.4
2 6 12.95 -3.2 -19.5 -4.9 -24.4
2 7 15.55 -3.6 -21.7 -5.1 -26.8
2 8 18.14 -3.3 -20.1 -4.6 -24.7
2 9 20.73 -2.6 -15.6 -3.5 -19.1
2 10 23.32 -1.5 -9.0 -2.0 -11.0
2 11 25.91 .0 .0 .0 .0
A-11
DESCUS I
1 1
PAGE 55 PAGE 60
TABLE 9.1B DEAD LOAD DEFLECTIONS AT NODAL JOINT TABLE 10.7 TOTAL INDUCED STRESS RANGES
----------------------------------- ---------------------------
0GIRDER NO. 1 GIRDER NO. 1 LOAD FACTOR DESIGN (UNFACTORED)
----------
SPAN INCR. DIST FROM DEAD LOAD DEFLECTION (MM) SPAN INCR DIST FROM TOP FLG STRESSES BOT FLG STRESSES
NO NO L.SUPPORT --------------------------------- NO NO L SUPPORT --------------------- ---------------------
STEEL SLAB+(1) SDL TOTAL TRUCK INTERST LANE TRUCK INTERST LANE
(M) (1) (2) (3) (2+3) (M) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa)
1 0 .00 .0 .0 .0 .0
1 1 5.18 -2.6 -15.6 -3.5 -19.1 1 0 .00 .05 .00 .04 .03 .00 .02
1 2 10.36 -3.6 -21.7 -5.1 -26.8 1 1 5.18 12.88 9.45 9.69 43.07 33.36 30.98
1 3 15.55 -2.7 -16.1 -4.3 -20.4 1 12.88 9.45 9.69 43.07 33.36 30.98
1 4 20.73 -.9 -5.3 -1.7 -7.1 1 2 10.36 23.66 17.28 18.18 60.66 47.35 45.69
1 5 25.91 .0 .0 .0 .0 1 23.66 17.28 18.18 60.66 47.35 45.69
1 3 15.54 34.13 24.75 26.45 62.28 48.19 47.03
2 0 .00 .0 .0 .0 .0 1 34.13 24.75 26.45 62.28 48.19 47.03
2 1 5.18 -.9 -5.3 -1.7 -7.1 1 4 20.73 95.73 76.56 70.34 57.72 46.16 42.41
2 2 10.36 -2.7 -16.1 -4.3 -20.4 1 33.67 26.93 24.74 28.12 22.49 20.66
2 3 15.55 -3.6 -21.7 -5.1 -26.8 1 5 25.91 21.64 15.34 33.65 18.07 12.81 28.10
2 4 20.73 -2.6 -15.6 -3.5 -19.1
2 5 25.91 .0 .0 .0 .0 2 0 .00 21.64 15.34 33.65 18.07 12.81 28.10
1 2 1 5.18 33.66 26.92 24.74 28.11 22.48 20.66
ANALYSIS AND DESIGN DESCUS I 2 95.71 76.54 70.32 57.70 46.15 42.40
OF VER. 6.4 2 2 10.36 34.13 24.75 26.45 62.28 48.19 47.03
CURVED I GIRDER BRIDGE SYSTEM L F D 2 34.13 24.75 26.45 62.28 48.19 47.03
PAGE 59 2 3 15.54 23.66 17.29 18.19 60.67 47.36 45.70
EXAMPLE PROBLEM 2 23.66 17.29 18.19 60.67 47.36 45.70
2 4 20.73 12.88 9.45 9.70 43.09 33.38 31.00
TABLE 9.2 MAXIMUM LIVE LOAD DEFLECTION 2 12.88 9.45 9.70 43.09 33.38 31.00
2 5 25.91 .05 .00 .00 .03 .00 .00
GD SPAN DIST FROM LL+ I LOAD 1/800 OF
NO NO L.SUPPORT DEFLECTION TYPE SPAN LENGTH
(M) (MM) (MM)
1 1 10.36 -14.78 HS 32.39

1 2 15.55 -14.78 HS 32.39
2 1 10.64 -16.81 HS 33.25

2 2 15.96 -16.81 HS 33.25
3 1 10.92 -21.99 HS 34.11

3 2 16.37 -21.98 HS 34.11
4 1 11.19 -31.45 HS 34.98

4 2 16.79 -31.45 HS 34.98
END OF LIVE LOAD GENERATION
A-12
DESCUS I
1
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
TABLE 20. 1 STRESSES DUE TO DEAD LOAD -------------- ON NONCOMP SECTION
TABLE 10.10 SHEAR CONNECTOR SPACING -----------------------------------------------------------
----------------------- 0 GIRDER NO. 1 LOAD FACTOR DESIGN
GIRDER NO. 1 LOAD FACTOR DESIGN (UNFACTORED) ----------
---------- TOP FLG STRESSES BOT FLG STRESSES
SPAN INCR. DIST FROM HORR. SHEAR RANGE CALCULATED SPAN INCR. DIST FROM -------------------- --------------------
NO NO L.SUPPORT ACTUAL ALLOW SPACING NO NO L SUPPORT BENDING WARPING BENDING WARPING
(M) (KN/MM) (KN) (MM) (M) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa)
1 0 .00 .18 108.27 590.
1 1 5.18 .17 108.27 636. 1 0 .00 R .00 .00 .00 .00
1 .17 108.27 636. 1 1 5.18 L -62.92 -36.37 37.94 16.44
1 2 10.36 .16 108.27 678. 1 R -62.92 -36.37 37.94 16.44
1 .16 108.27 678. 1 2 10.36 L -74.42 -43.01 44.87 19.45
1 3 15.54 .16 108.27 660. 1 R -74.42 -43.01 44.87 19.45
1 .16 108.27 660. 1 3 15.54 L -36.94 -21.35 22.27 9.65
1 4 20.73 .00 108.27 ****** 1 R -36.94 -21.35 22.27 9.65
1 .00 108.27 ****** 1 4 20.73 L 56.49 32.65 -34.06 -14.76
1 5 25.91 .00 108.27 ****** 1 R 19.87 8.61 -16.59 -5.75
1 5 25.91 L 81.02 35.12 -67.65 -23.46
2 0 .00 .00 108.27 ******
2 1 5.18 .00 108.27 ****** 2 0 .00 R 81.02 35.12 -67.66 -23.46
2 .00 108.27 ****** 2 1 5.18 L 19.87 8.61 -16.59 -5.75
2 2 10.36 .17 108.27 647. 2 R 56.49 32.65 -34.06 -14.76
2 .17 108.27 647. 2 2 10.36 L -36.95 -21.35 22.28 9.66
2 3 15.54 .16 108.27 667. 2 R -36.95 -21.35 22.28 9.66
2 .16 108.27 667. 2 3 15.54 L -74.42 -43.01 44.87 19.45
2 4 20.73 .17 108.27 636. 2 R -74.42 -43.01 44.87 19.45
2 .17 108.27 636. 2 4 20.73 L -62.91 -36.36 37.93 16.44
2 5 25.91 .18 108.27 590. 2 R -62.91 -36.36 37.93 16.44
2 5 25.91 L .00 .00 .00 .00
NOTE ****** INDICATES NO SHEAR CONNECTORS REQUIRED AT THIS POINT
A-13
DESCUS I
1
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
TABLE 20. 3 STRESSES DUE TO SUPERIMPOSED DEAD LOAD - ON COMPOSITE SECTION
TABLE 20. 2 STRESSES DUE TO SUPERIMPOSED DEAD LOAD - ON NONCOMP SECTION -----------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------- 0 GIRDER NO. 1 LOAD FACTOR DESIGN
0 GIRDER NO. 1 LOAD FACTOR DESIGN ----------
TOP FLG STRESSES BOT FLG STRESSES SPAN INCR. DIST FROM -------------------- --------------------
SPAN INCR. DIST FROM -------------------- -------------------- NO NO L SUPPORT BENDING WARPING BENDING WARPING
NO NO L SUPPORT BENDING WARPING BENDING WARPING (M) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa)
(M) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa)
1 0 .00 R .00 .00 .00 .00
1 0 .00 R .00 .00 .00 .00 1 1 5.18 L -6.04 .00 14.34 6.22
1 1 5.18 L -30.77 -17.78 18.55 8.04 1 R -6.04 .00 14.34 6.22
1 R -30.77 -17.78 18.55 8.04 1 2 10.36 L -7.61 .00 18.05 7.82
1 2 10.36 L -38.73 -22.38 23.35 10.12 1 R -7.61 .00 18.05 7.82
1 R -38.73 -22.38 23.35 10.12 1 3 15.54 L -4.99 .00 11.84 5.13
1 3 15.54 L -25.41 -14.69 15.32 6.64 1 R -4.99 .00 11.84 5.13
1 R -25.41 -14.69 15.32 6.64 1 4 20.73 L 10.83 6.26 -6.53 -2.83
1 4 20.73 L 10.83 6.26 -6.53 -2.83 1 R 3.81 1.65 -3.18 -1.10
1 R 3.81 1.65 -3.18 -1.10 1 5 25.91 L 27.10 11.75 -22.63 -7.85
1 5 25.91 L 27.10 11.75 -22.63 -7.85
2 0 .00 R 27.10 11.75 -22.63 -7.85
2 0 .00 R 27.10 11.75 -22.63 -7.85 2 1 5.18 L 3.81 1.65 -3.18 -1.10
2 1 5.18 L 3.81 1.65 -3.18 -1.10 2 R 10.83 6.26 -6.53 -2.83
2 R 10.83 6.26 -6.53 -2.83 2 2 10.36 L -4.99 .00 11.84 5.13
2 2 10.36 L -25.41 -14.69 15.32 6.64 2 R -4.99 .00 11.84 5.13
2 R -25.41 -14.69 15.32 6.64 2 3 15.54 L -7.61 .00 18.05 7.82
2 3 15.54 L -38.73 -22.38 23.35 10.12 2 R -7.61 .00 18.05 7.82
2 R -38.73 -22.38 23.35 10.12 2 4 20.73 L -6.04 .00 14.34 6.21
2 4 20.73 L -30.76 -17.78 18.55 8.04 2 R -6.04 .00 14.34 6.21
2 R -30.76 -17.78 18.55 8.04 2 5 25.91 L .00 .00 .00 .00
2 5 25.91 L .00 .00 .00 .00
A-14
DESCUS I
1
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
TABLE 20. 5 STRESSES DUE TO LIVE LOAD (MAX NEG M)--- ON NONCOMP SECTION
TABLE 20. 4 STRESSES DUE TO LIVE LOAD (MAX POS M)--- ON COMPOSITE SECTION -----------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------- 0 GIRDER NO. 1 LOAD FACTOR DESIGN
0 GIRDER NO. 1 LOAD FACTOR DESIGN ----------
TOP FLG STRESSES BOT FLG STRESSES SPAN INCR. DIST FROM -------------------- --------------------
SPAN INCR. DIST FROM -------------------- -------------------- NO NO L SUPPORT BENDING WARPING BENDING WARPING
NO NO L SUPPORT BENDING WARPING BENDING WARPING (M) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa)
(M) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa)
1 0 .00 R .12 .07 -.07 -.03
1 0 .00 R .00 .00 .00 .00 1 1 5.18 L 18.70 10.81 -11.27 -4.89
1 1 5.18 L -9.63 .00 83.48 36.18 1 R 18.70 10.81 -11.27 -4.89
1 R -9.63 .00 83.48 36.18 1 2 10.36 L 39.38 22.76 -23.74 -10.29
1 2 10.36 L -12.66 .00 109.71 47.56 1 R 39.38 22.76 -23.74 -10.29
1 R -12.66 .00 109.71 47.56 1 3 15.54 L 63.70 36.81 -38.40 -16.65
1 3 15.54 L -11.38 .00 98.62 42.75 1 R 63.70 36.81 -38.40 -16.65
1 R -11.38 .00 98.62 42.75 1 4 20.73 L 94.10 54.38 -56.73 -24.59
1 4 20.73 L -116.52 -67.34 70.25 30.45 1 R 33.10 14.35 -27.64 -9.58
1 R -40.98 -17.76 34.22 11.87 1 5 25.91 L 74.03 32.09 -61.82 -21.44
1 5 25.91 L .00 .00 .00 .00
2 0 .00 R 74.03 32.09 -61.82 -21.44
2 0 .00 R .00 .00 .00 .00 2 1 5.18 L 33.10 14.35 -27.64 -9.58
2 1 5.18 L -40.96 -17.75 34.20 11.86 2 R 94.10 54.38 -56.73 -24.59
2 R -116.45 -67.30 70.21 30.43 2 2 10.36 L 63.71 36.82 -38.41 -16.65
2 2 10.36 L -11.38 .00 98.60 42.74 2 R 63.71 36.82 -38.41 -16.65
2 R -11.38 .00 98.60 42.74 2 3 15.54 L 39.39 22.76 -23.75 -10.29
2 3 15.54 L -12.66 .00 109.73 47.56 2 R 39.39 22.76 -23.75 -10.29
2 R -12.66 .00 109.73 47.56 2 4 20.73 L 18.69 10.80 -11.27 -4.89
2 4 20.73 L -9.64 .00 83.53 36.20 2 R 18.69 10.80 -11.27 -4.89
2 R -9.64 .00 83.53 36.20 2 5 25.91 L .11 .07 -.07 -.03
2 5 25.91 L .00 .00 .00 .00
A-15
DESCUS I
1
PAGE 73
TABLE 20.6 MAXIMUM STRESSES TABLE 20.7 MAXIMUM AND ALLOWABLE STRESSES AND DESIGN LL TYPES
---------------- --------------------------------------------------
GIRDER NO. 1 LOAD FACTOR DESIGN GIRDER NO. 1 LOAD FACTOR DESIGN
---------- ----------
SPAN INCR DIST FROM TOP FLG STRESSES BOT FLG STRESSES SPN INC D FROM TOP FLANGE STRESSES BOT. FLANGE STRESSES GOV.LIVE TOP OF
NO NO L SUPPORT ---------------------- ---------------------- NO NO L SUPP BENDING ALLOW NOTA BENDING ALLOW NOTB LOADING CON.
BENDING WARPING TOTAL BENDING WARPING TOTAL M MPa MPa MPa MPa MPa
(M) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa)
1 0 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 1 0 .00 .00 345.00 111111 .00 345.00 111111 HS .00
1 1 5.18 -78.60 -36.37 -114.97 135.76 58.84 194.60 1 1 5.18 -114.97 -345.00 111121 135.76 345.00 111111 HS -4.08
1 -78.60 -36.37 -114.97 135.76 58.84 194.60 1 -114.97 -345.00 111121 135.76 345.00 111111 HS -4.08
1 2 10.36 -94.69 -43.01 -137.70 172.63 74.83 247.46 1 2 10.36 -137.70 -345.00 111121 172.63 345.00 111111 HS -5.34
1 -94.69 -43.01 -137.70 172.63 74.83 247.46 1 -137.70 -345.00 111121 172.63 345.00 111111 HS -5.34
1 3 15.54 -53.31 -21.35 -74.67 132.73 57.53 190.27 1 3 15.54 -74.67 -345.00 111121 132.73 345.00 111111 HS -4.67
1 -53.31 -21.35 -74.67 132.73 57.53 190.27 1 -74.67 -345.00 111121 132.73 345.00 111111 HS -4.67
1 4 20.73 161.42 93.29 254.71 -97.32 -42.18 -139.50 1 4 20.73 161.42 345.00 111111 -97.32 -257.19 111211 HS .00
1 56.78 24.61 81.39 -47.41 -16.44 -63.85 1 56.78 345.00 111111 -47.41 -276.84 111211 HS .00
1 5 25.91 182.15 78.95 261.10 -152.10 -52.74 -204.85 1 5 25.91 182.15 345.00 111111 -152.10 -276.84 111211 L .00
2 0 .00 182.16 78.96 261.11 -152.11 -52.75 -204.85 2 0 .00 182.16 345.00 111111 -152.11 -276.84 111211 L .00
2 1 5.18 56.78 24.61 81.39 -47.41 -16.44 -63.85 2 1 5.18 56.78 345.00 111111 -47.41 -276.84 111211 HS .00
2 161.42 93.29 254.71 -97.32 -42.18 -139.50 2 161.42 345.00 111111 -97.32 -257.19 111211 HS .00
2 2 10.36 -53.32 -21.35 -74.67 132.72 57.53 190.25 2 2 10.36 -74.67 -345.00 111121 132.72 345.00 111111 HS -4.67
2 -53.32 -21.35 -74.67 132.72 57.53 190.25 2 -74.67 -345.00 111121 132.72 345.00 111111 HS -4.67
2 3 15.54 -94.69 -43.01 -137.69 172.65 74.83 247.48 2 3 15.54 -137.69 -345.00 111121 172.65 345.00 111111 HS -5.34
2 -94.69 -43.01 -137.69 172.65 74.84 247.48 2 -137.69 -345.00 111121 172.65 345.00 111111 HS -5.34
2 4 20.73 -78.58 -36.36 -114.94 135.79 58.86 194.65 2 4 20.73 -114.94 -345.00 111121 135.79 345.00 111111 HS -4.08
2 -78.58 -36.36 -114.94 135.79 58.86 194.65 2 -114.94 -345.00 111121 135.79 345.00 111111 HS -4.08
2 5 25.91 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 2 5 25.91 .00 345.00 111111 .00 345.00 111111 HS .00
** SEE COMMENTS ABOUT THE COLUMNS NOTA AND NOTB ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE
A-16
DESCUS I
1
PAGE 75
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
TABLE 20.8TRANSVERSE STIFFENER REQUIREMENTS
TABLE 20.7 MAXIMUM AND ALLOWABLE STRESSES AND DESIGN LL TYPES ---------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------- 0 GIRDER NO. 1 LOAD FACTOR DESIGN
----------
GIRDER NO. 1 LOAD FACTOR DESIGN SPN INC D FROM WEB ------- SHEAR -- ----- STIFFENER --------
---------- NO NO L SUPP DEPTH/ ALLOW MAX. IMIN. WMIN. TMIN. SPACING
M THICK NOTE KN KN MM**4 MM. MM. MM.
EXPLANATION OF NOTA AND NOTB 1 0 .00 134.40 2 843.54 683.94 .27E+06 55. 5. 1067.
---------------------------- 1 1 5.18 134.40 2 843.54 444.18 .27E+06 55. 5. 1067.
NOTA FOR TOP FLANGE, NOTB FOR BOTTOM FLANGE. 1 134.40 2 843.54 444.18 .27E+06 55. 5. 1067.
1 2 10.36 134.40 1 421.77 212.58 .00E+00 0. 0. 0.
FIRST DIGIT=1 ABSOLUTE VALUE (WARPING STRESS/FLEXURE STRESS) IS LESS THAN 1 134.40 1 421.77 212.58 .00E+00 0. 0. 0.
OR EQUAL TO (0.5), 1 3 15.54 134.40 1 421.77 417.99 .00E+00 0. 0. 0.
FIRST DIGIT=2 ABSOLUTE VALUE (WARPING STRESS/FLEXURE STRESS) EXCEEDS (0.5), 1 134.40 1 421.77 417.99 .00E+00 0. 0. 0.
ALLOWABLE STRESS WAS NOT COMPUTED. 1 4 20.73 134.40 2 843.54 688.26 .27E+06 55. 5. 1067.
1 134.40 2 843.54 688.26 .27E+06 55. 5. 1067.
1 5 25.91 134.40 2 954.24 947.71 .55E+06 66. 6. 949.
SECOND DIGIT=1 THE UNBRACED LENGTH IS LESS THAN 25 TIMES THE
WIDTH OF THE COMPRESSION FLANGE, 2 0 .00 134.40 2 966.41 957.20 .58E+06 67. 6. 939.
SECOND DIGIT=2 THE UNBRACED LENGTH EXCEEDS 25 TIMES THE 2 1 5.18 134.40 2 843.54 673.12 .27E+06 55. 5. 1067.
WIDTH OF THE COMPRESSION FLANGE, 2 134.40 2 843.54 673.12 .27E+06 55. 5. 1067.
2 134.40 2 843.54 443.23 .27E+06 55. 5. 1067.
THIRD DIGIT=1 THE UNBRACED LENGTH IS LESS THAN 0.1 TIMES THE RADIUS. 2 3 15.54 134.40 1 421.77 227.05 .00E+00 0. 0. 0.
THIRD DIGIT=2 THE UNBRACED LENGTH EXCEEDS 0.1 TIMES THE RADIUS, 2 134.40 1 421.77 227.05 .00E+00 0. 0. 0.
2 134.40 1 421.77 411.29 .00E+00 0. 0. 0.
FOURTH DIGIT=1 COMPRESSION FLANGE IS NOT COMPACT. 2 5 25.91 134.40 2 843.54 683.89 .27E+06 55. 5. 1067.
FOURTH DIGIT=2 SECTION WITH COMPACT COMPRESSION FLANGE. 0
SEE COMMENTS ABOUT *NOTE* ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE
FIFTH DIGIT=1 COMPRESSION FLANGE IS NOT NON-COMPACT.
FIFTH DIGIT=2 SECTION WITH NON-COMPACT COMPRESSION FLANGE.
1
ANALYSIS AND DESIGN DESCUS I
SIXTH DIGIT=1 COMPRESSION FLANGE IS EITHER COMPACT OR NON-COMPACT. OF VER. 6.4
SIXTH DIGIT=2 COMPRESSION FLANGE IS NEITHER COMPACT NOR NON-COMPACT. CURVED I GIRDER BRIDGE SYSTEM L F D
COMPRESSION FLANGE (B/T) EXCEEDS (4400 [or 365.2 in SI]/ PAGE 77
SQUARE ROOT OF FY)
ALLOWABLE STRESS WAS NOT COMPUTED. EXAMPLE PROBLEM
DESIGN STRESS = BENDING STRESS, IF COMPACT (TENSION OR COMPRESSION) OR TABLE 20.8TRANSVERSE STIFFENER REQUIREMENTS
NONCOMPACT, COMPRESSIVE NOT WITHIN HARDENED CONCRETE. ---------------------------------
DESIGN STRESS = BENDING + WARPING STRESS, IF NONCOMPACT TENSILE, OR 0 GIRDER NO. 1 LOAD FACTOR DESIGN
TOP FLANGE NONCOMPACT COMPRESSIVE BUT WITHIN ----------
HARDENED CONCRETE 0
FLAG * SHOWN BETWEEN BENDING AND ALLOWABLE STRESSES MEANS OVERSTRESS EXPLANATION OF NOTES
--------------------
NOTE=1 TRANSVERSE INTERMEDIATE STIFFENERS ARE NOT REQUIRED,

AND MAXIMUM DESIGN SHEAR DOES NOT EXCEED VU=C*VP
NOTE=2 TRANSVERSE INTERMEDIATE STIFFENERS ARE REQUIRED.

MAXIMUM DESIGN SHEAR EXCEEDS VU=C*VP
NOTA=3 LONGITUDINAL STIFFENERS ARE REQUIRED

T < D*SQRT(FY)/3029.5/(1.-8.6*D0/R+34*(D0/R)**2), BUT
T > D*SQRT(FY)/6059.0/(1.-2.9*SQRT(D0/R)+2.2*D0/R)
NOTA=4 LONGITUDINAL STIFFENERS REQUIREMENTS ARE EXCEEDED
A-17
DESCUS
APPENDIX B
PRE AND POST PROCESSOR UTILITY PROGRAMS FOR DESCUS
B.1 Distribution Factor Utility Program (DF)

The program DF determines the distribution factors for girders due to lane and/or truck loadings at any
specified position. The program automatically considers both lane and truck loadings separately and then
chooses the controlling loading. The results of these distribution factors calculations can then be input to
the DESCUS Main Processor under Data Type 0301.
Note: If input is in SI units, unit option in Data Type 0103 of the main DESCUS input has to indicate SI
units.
B.1.1 Input Description for DF Utility Program

For PC Preprocessor
Auto/Distribution Factor
Data Type: 0601 & 0602
B-1.1
DESCUS
GIRDER DATA
Data Type 0601
NUMBER OF SPACING: (Integer)

Enter the number of spacing. The number of spacing should be taken as the number of girders plus one.
These spacing include the number of spacing between the girders plus the spacing from the exterior girders
to the edges of the bridge superstructure.
SPANS FROM & TO: (Integer)

Enter the starting span number and ending span number. The maximum number of spans allowed by
DESCUS is eleven.
Load Pattern: (Integer)
Enter 0 if loaded every lane width; enter 1 if loaded within the designated lane assigned on the next screen.
Data Type 0602
END TO GIRDER/GIRDER TO GIRDER SPACING: (Real)

(Feet or Meters)
Enter the distance from the right edge of the superstructure to girder no 1. Then enter the distance between
girder no. 1 and second girder and so on; ending with the distance between the last girder and the left edge
of the superstructure. The maximum number of entries should be thirty-one. No more than eight entries
should be entered on each line.
For PC Preprocessor
Auto/Distribution Factor
Data Type: 0701 & 0703
B-1.2
DESCUS
LANE DATA
Data Type 0701 -Definition of Traffic Lanes
NUMBER OF DESIGN LANES (Integer)

Enter the number of traffic lanes.
For LFD, multi-lane reduction factor of 0.9 for 3 lanes and 0.75 for over 3 lanes will be applied.
For LRFD, multi-lane reduction factor of 1.2 for single lane, 0.85 for 2 and 3 lanes and 0.65 for over 3
lanes will be applied.
Multiple DESCUS runs with different number of lanes may be needed for the maximum effects.
DESIGN LANE WIDTH (Real)

(Feet or Meters)
Enter the traffic lane width.
TRUCK WHEEL BASE WIDTH (Real)

(Feet or Meters)
Default truck wheel base width is 6 feet.
LEFT WHEEL FRACTION & RIGHT WHEEL FRACTION (Real)

Default is 0.5 assuming no super-elevation and centrifugal force effects. The sum of the left and
right wheel fractions should be equal to 1. See Section 5.3.3 for details.
If other than 0.5 values are input , it means that superelevation and centrifugal force effects are
considered for truck loading. Under this circumstances, two sets of distribution factors are generated.
The first set assumes equal factions for lane loading and Data Type 0301 is generated. The second set
assumes unequal wheel fractions for truck loading and Data Type 0303 is generated.
LOADED LANE OPTION (Integer)

Blank or 0 - Multi-lane loaded with AASHTO multi-lane reduction applied.
1 - Single lane loaded (for fatigue check or permit vehicle)
2 - Multi-lane loaded without multi-lane reduction
2ND TRUCK WHEEL BASE WIDTH (real)

(Feet or Meters)
Default as the 1st truck wheel base width
Data Type 0703 - Definition of Traffic Lane Locations
DISTANCE BETWEEN THE RIGHT EDGE OF THE SUPERSTRUCTURE AND THE RIGHT EDGE OF EACH
LANE (Real)
(Feet or Meters)
Enter the distance between the right edge of the superstructure and the right edge of each successive traffic
lane.
VEHICULAR ID (Integer)
Blank or 0 - AASHTO Vehicle
1 - Non-AASHTO Vehicle moving freely within this lane
2 - Non-AASHTO Vehicle with fixed track, such as transit loading, within this lane
B-1.3
DESCUS
B.1.2 Input Sheet for DF Utility Program
B-1.4
DESCUS
B.1.3 DF Utility Program Example Problem
I. Input Listing
0601 5 1
06026.042 6.666 6.666 6.667 4.5 0701 2 12.
07033. 15.
II. Output Listing
TABLE 1.1 GIRDER DATA

***********************
SPAN NO. "FROM" = 1

SPAN NO. "TO" = 0
IDENTIFICATION NO. = 0
0 - STARTING FROM 1ST GIRDER AND LOADING ON EVERY LANE WIDTH DISTANCE
1 - STARTING FROM 1ST LANE AND LOADING ON EVERY LANE.
NO. OF GIRDER SPACINGS = 5
OVERHANGS/GIRDER-TO-GIRDER SPACING (FT) =

6.04 6.67 6.67 6.67 4.50
6.04 12.71 19.37 26.04 30.54
TABLE 1.2 LIVE LOAD DATA

****************************
NO. OF LANES = 2 LANE WIDTH (FT) = 12.0000 WHEEL BASE WIDTH (FT) = 6.00
LEFT WHEEL = .500 RIGHT WHEEL = .500
LANE LOADED OPTION = 0 (0 - MULTI LANES LOADED )
(1 - SINGLE LANE LOADED)
(2 - MULTI LANE LOADED W/O REDUCTION)
OPTIONAL 2ND VEHICL WHEEL BASE WIDTH (FT) = 6.0000
DISTANCE OF EACH LANE TO THE NEAR END (FT) =

3.000 15.000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000
TABLE 2.1 DISTRIBUTION FACTOR RESULT

**************************************
GIRDER NO. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRIMARY (301/303)
GIRDER 1 .000 .550 .550 .550 .350 .000
PRIMARY (301/303)
GIRDER 2 .000 .450 .600 .550 .400 .000
PRIMARY (301/303)
GIRDER 3 .000 .400 .550 .600 .450 .000
PRIMARY (301/303)
GIRDER 4 .000 .350 .550 .550 .550 .000
B-1.5
B.2 DESCUS DEFINITION OF GIRDER GEOMETRY
based on Radius (0701) and Skew Angles & Girder Spacing (0601)
This section demonstrates the usage of combinations of positive and negative radius defined in
Data Type 0701 and positive and negative girder spacing defined in Data Type 0701.
1. Data Name: SAMPLERR.dat (positive radius; positive girder spacing)
(View: Curved down for positive radius; Girder ascending from bottom to top for positive
spacing)
N4 G4M1 N8 G4M2 N12
D23 G4M3
D24 N16
D25 G4M4
N3 G3M1 N7 G3M2 D26 N20
N11 G3M3 G4M5
D12 D13 N15 D27 N24
D14 G3M4
N2 G2M1 N6 D15 N19 G4M6
G2M2 N10 D28
G2M3 G3M5 N28
D1 D2 N14 D16 N23
D3 G2M4 D29 G4M7
N1 G1M1 N5 D4 N18 D17 G3M6
G1M2 N9 G2M5 N27 N32
G1M3 D5
N13 N22 G3M7 D30 G4M8
G1M4 G2M6 D18
N17 D6 N31 N36
G1M5 N26
N21 G2M7 D19 G3M8 D31 G4M9
G1M6 D7
N25 N30 N35
N40
G1M7 D8 G2M8 D20 G3M9
D32 G4M10
N29 N34 N39
G1M8 D9 G2M9 D21 N44
G3M10
N33 N38 D33
G1M9 D10 N43
G2M10
D22
N37
N42
G1M10 D11
N41
2. Data Name: SAMPLERR+r-s.dat (similar to #1; positive radius; negative girder spacing)
(View: Curved down for positive radius; Girder descending from bottom to top for negative
spacing)
N4 G1M1 N8 G1M2 N12
D23 G1M3
D24 N16
D25 G1M4
N3 G2M1 N7 G2M2 D26 N20
N11 G2M3 G1M5
D12 D13 N15 D27 N24
D14 G2M4
N2 G3M1 N6 D15 N19 G1M6
G3M2 N10 D28
G3M3 G2M5 N28
D1 D2 N14 D16 N23
D3 G3M4 D29 G1M7
N1 G4M1 N5 D4 N18 D17 G2M6
G4M2 N9 G3M5 N27 N32
G4M3 D5
N13 N22 G2M7 D30 G1M8
G4M4 G3M6 D18
N17 D6 N31 N36
G4M5 N26
N21 G3M7 D19 G2M8 D31 G1M9
G4M6 D7
N25 N30 N35
N40
G4M7 D8 G3M8 D20 G2M9
D32 G1M10
N29 N34 N39
G4M8 D9 G3M9 D21 N44
G2M10
N33 N38 D33
G4M9 D10 N43
G3M10
D22
N37
N42
G4M10 D11
N41
3. Data Name: SAMPLERR-r+s.dat (negative radius; positive girder spacing)
(View: Curved up for negative radius; Girder ascending from bottom to top for positive spacing)
N44
G4M10 D33
N43
N40
D22
G3M10
G4M9 D32 N42
N36 N39 D11
D21 G2M10
G4M8 D31 G3M9 N41
N32 N35 N38
D10 G1M10
G4M7 D30 G3M8 D20 G2M9
N28 N37
N31 N34
G4M6 D29
N24 G3M7 D19 G2M8 D9 G1M9
G4M5 N27 N30 N33
N20 D28
G4M4 G3M6 D18
N16 N23 G2M7 D8 G1M8
G4M3 D27
G4M2 N12 G3M5 N26 N29
N4 G4M1 N8 D26 N19 D17 G2M6
D25 G3M4 D7 G1M7
D23 D24 N15 D16 N22
N11 G3M3 G2M5 N25
N3 G3M1 N7 G3M2 D15 N18 D6
G1M6
D14 G2M4
D12 D13 N14 D5 N21
N10 G2M3 G1M5
N2 G2M1 N6 G2M2 D4 N17
D3 G1M4
D1 D2 N13
N9 G1M3
G1M1 N5 G1M2
N1
4. Data Name: SAMPLERR-r-s.dat (similar to #3; negative radius; negative girder spacing)
(View: Curved up for negative radius; Girder descending from bottom to top for negative
spacing)
N44
G1M10 D33
N43
N40
D22
G2M10
G1M9 D32 N42
N36 N39 D11
D21 G3M10
G1M8 D31 G2M9 N41
N32 N35 N38
D10 G4M10
G1M7 D30 G2M8 D20 G3M9
N28 N37
N31 N34
G1M6 D29
N24 G2M7 D19 G3M8 D9 G4M9
G1M5 N27 N30 N33
N20 D28
G1M4 G2M6 D18
N16 N23 G3M7 D8 G4M8
G1M3 D27
G1M2 N12 G2M5 N26 N29
N4 G1M1 N8 D26 N19 D17 G3M6
D25 G2M4 D7 G4M7
D23 D24 N15 D16 N22
N11 G2M3 G3M5 N25
N3 G2M1 N7 G2M2 D15 N18 D6
G4M6
D14 G3M4
D12 D13 N14 D5 N21
N10 G3M3 G4M5
N2 G3M1 N6 G3M2 D4 N17
D3 G4M4
D1 D2 N13
N9 G4M3
G4M1 N5 G4M2
N1
DESCUS
B.3 DESCUS AASHTO CODE CHECKING FORMULA

(AASHTO Guide Secifications 1993, w/Interim up to 2002)
B.3.1 WSD:
For Compression flange braced by cross-frames or diaphragms:
f b ≤ Fb (Eq. 1.10A-a)
& fb + fw ≤ 0.55Fy
For compression top flange within hardened concrete

fb + (fw)DL ≤ 0.55Fy
For tension flange

fb + fw ≤ 0.55Fy
B.3.2 LFD:
B.3.2.1 Compact Section

fb ≤ Fbu (Eq. 2.12B-a)
For tension flange or compression top flange within hardened concrete

fb ≤ F y
B.3.2.2 Noncompact Section

fb ≤ Fby (Eq. 2.12B-b)
& f b + fw ≤ F y
For compression top flange within hardened concrete

fb + (fw)DL ≤ Fy
For tension flange

f b + fw ≤ F y
B-3.1
DESCUS
B.4 DESCUS-STAGE
(Construction STAGING for the DESign of a CUrved I-Girder System)
B.4.1 INTRODUCTION TO DESCUS-STAGE

This program is a stand-alone utility program designed specifically for the construction staging of a curved
steel I-girder. The program will read data input from the DESCUS program; with additional data for
construction staging. Then, the DESCUS-STAGE program will iterate and produce the results based on
the input number of dead load cases, number of stages and number of live loadings.
B.4.2 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM

DESCUS-STAGE is a stand-alone computer program developed to investigate the effect of a curved girder
bridge structure during construction. In order to achieve this, the program first configures the structure
based on the input geometry and then iterates based on the pouring.
The input data for DESCUS provides the structural data but not the pouring sequence. Data Type 900 will
provide the additional information on the pouring and any other construction loads.
The program will automatically calculate the stiffness and applied loads during each sequence. The final
moments, shears, reactions, deflections and stresses on the top flange, bottom flange and slab will be
tabulated for each stage. The user can investigate the results in a very detailed manner to ensure the
structure is constructable and below the limits set by AASHTO Specifications or special state provisions.
The program also can be used to analyze the structure with stationary loading during any stage. The same
program has been used to investigate the bridge behavior under stationary overload vehicles.
B-4.1
DESCUS
B.4.3 DESCUS-STAGE DATA INPUT

The following is a detailed description of the Data Type 900 for DESCUS-STAGE. Examples are
given to illustrate the format of the data input.
Data Type 900 - Control Parameters for Staging (Required)
NUMBER OF DEAD LOAD CASES: (Integer).

This control parameter is used to specify how many dead cases will be defined in Data Type 915.
NUMBER OF STAGES: (Integer).

This control parameter is used to define the number of stages in this analysis. It also controls how many
stages will be defined in Data Type 915.
NUMBER OF LIVE LOAD CASES: (Integer).

This control parameter is used to specify how many live load cases are required in the analysis. It also
specifies the number of live load defined in Data Type 925.
B-4.2
DESCUS
Data Type 901 - Definition of Concrete Slab Area (future)
Data Type 905 - Definition of Material Property of Concrete
MATERIAL PROPERTY: (Real)

(KSI or MPa)
During the pouring sequence the concrete attains certain Young's modulus (E) values. For the first 28 days
after pouring the E values vary each day. The user can specify the concrete material properties in terms of
Young's modulus and the program will calculate the degree of composite action with the structural steel
based on the calculated modulus ratio. The input E values are sequenced from 1 to a maximum of 50 and
they will be referred to in Data Type 915 as the Material ID number.
B-4.3
DESCUS
Data Type 910 - Definition of Girder Pouring Segments
POUR NUMBER: (Integer).

This input should be in sequence starting from 1. It may go up to the maximum number of stages defined
in Data Type 900.

Girder number of the located nodes defined below.
SEGMENT 1 THROUGH 6:
NODE NUMBER - FROM: (Integer).

This input defines the node number at the left ("from") end of the pouring segment of the above-specified
girder. This node should be specified in the DESCUS input and it should be located on the above-specified
girder.
NODE NUMBER - TO: (Integer).

This input defines the node number at the right ("to") end of the pouring segment of the above-specified
girder.
B-4.4
DESCUS
Data Type 915 - Assignment of Concrete Material Property
DEAD LOAD NUMBER: (Integer).

This input should be numbered in sequence starting from 1 up to the maximum number of dead load
cases defined in Data Type 900.
STAGE NUMBER: (Integer).

This input should be in sequence starting with 0 to simulate the steel section up to a maximum number
equal to the number of stages defined in Data Type 900.
MATERIAL ID: (Integer).

This refers to the material properties defined in Data Type 905 and starts with 0 to simulate the steel
section case. Except for steel section with Stage 0, the material ID number is always equal to the stage
number. The segments poured earlier can be assigned higher Young's modulus values and the newly
poured segments can be assigned loadings but no stiffness.
B-4.5
DESCUS
Data Type 920 - Definition of Additional Uniformly Distributed Line Load
DEAD LOAD NUMBER: (Integer).

This input could be in any dead load case defined in Data Type 900.

Girder number of the nodes defined below.
NODE NUMBER - FROM: (Integer).

This input defines the node number at the left ("from") end of the pouring segment of the above-specified
girder.
NODE NUMBER - TO: (Integer).

This input defines the node number at the right ("to") end of the pouring segment of the above-specified
girder.
DEAD LOADING: (Real).

(KIP/FT or KN/m)
This input is to define the magnitude of the segmented uniform distributed line loads along the girder.
B-4.6
DESCUS
Data Type 925 - Definition of Concentrated Live Load
LIVE LOAD NUMBER: (Integer)

This input should be in sequence starting from 1 up to the maximum number of live load cases defined in
Data Type 900.

The girder number of the nodes defined below.
NODE NUMBER: (Integer).

This input defines the node number where the live load is applied. This node should be specified in the
DESCUS input and it should be located on the above-specified girder.
DISTANCE: (Real)
(FT or m)
This input defines the distance to the left of the above-defined node number where the load is applied. It
can be 0 to indicate the load is applied at the node.
CONCENTRATED LOAD: (Real)

(Kips or KN)
This input defines the applied concentrated live load
B-4.7
DESCUS
B.4.4 EXAMPLE PROBLEM FOR CONSTRUCTION STAGING

PROBLEM STATEMENT
Structure: Two-span, four-girder curved steel structure (see Figure 1). Same
structure as the one shown in the DESCUS User’s Manual.
Pouring: Pour the positive moment area first. Two days later, pour the negative
moment area.
Loading: Steel dead load and slab dead load are calculated by the problem.
Superimposed dead loads are 475 lb/ft per girder input by the user.
Live loads are two trucks located at 0.4L location of the first span. The
transverse distribution of the trucks is calculated by using simple beam
action.
Analysis: Four dead load analyses are made:
1. Dead load no. 1: The first dead load analysis is stage no. 0 which
represents the stage with only steel section to support the steel weight.
2. Dead load no. 2: The second dead load analysis is at the time right after
the first pour. The first pour sections are designated with material ID 1
which is defined as fresh concrete with no concrete elastic modulus. So,
the poured concrete is still carried by the steel section only.
3. Dead load no. 3: The third dead load analysis is at the time right after the
second pour, two days after the first pour. The first pour sections are
designated with the material ID 2 which represents 2-day concrete. The
second pour section are with material ID 1 as fresh concrete.
4. Dead load no. 4: The fourth dead load analysis is two days after the
second pour. The first pour sections have grown to 4-day concrete and the
second pour section have grown to 2-day concrete. Thereis no load
applied at this stage.
5. Dead load no. 5: The fifth dead load analysis is after 28 days. All the
sections have matured and superimposed dead loads applied on the
matured concrete.
One live load analysis is also made:
Two HS-20 trucks side-by-side are loaded at 0.4L of the first span. They
are considered as one live load case.
B-4.8
DESCUS
Fig. B.2 Example Problem Framing Plan

B-4.9
DESCUS
B-4.10
DESCUS
B-4.11
DESCUS
CURVED I GIRDER BRIDGE SYSTEM

PAGE 9
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
******************** ECHO OF INPUT CARD NUMBER 900 *************************
CONTROL PARAMETERS FOR STAGING ANALYSIS
NUMBER OF DEAD LOAD ANALYSIS ............... = 5

NUMBER OF STAGING .......................... = 4
NUMBER OF LIVE LOAD ANALYSIS ............... = 1

PAGE 10
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
DEFINITION OF TABLES WHICH WILL NOT TO BE PRINTED
CONTENT OF THIS CARD WERE NOT DEFINED

PAGE 11
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
DEFINITION OF MATERIAL PROPERTY OF CONCRETE
MATERIAL ELASTIC
ID MODULUS
NUMBER (KSI)
1 .00
2 1340.00
3 1520.00
4 3192.00

PAGE 12
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
DEFINITION OF STAGING
------------------------- JOINT NUMBERS ------------------------------

POUR GIR SECTION 1 SECTION 2 SECTION 3 SECTION 4 SECTION 5 SECTION 6
NUM NUM FROM TO FROM TO FROM TO FROM TO FROM TO FROM TO
1 1 1 17 25 41 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 2 2 18 26 42 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 3 3 19 27 43 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 4 4 20 28 44 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 1 17 25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
B-4.12
DESCUS
2 2 18 26 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 3 19 27 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 4 20 28 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

PAGE 13
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
ASSIGNMENT OF STAGE NUMBERS AND THEIR CONCRETE

PROPERTY ID NUMBERS FOR DEAD LOAD ANALYSIS
DEAD
LOAD STAGE ------------------------- MATERIAL ID ---------------------------
NUM NUM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 3 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 4 4 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

PAGE 14
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
DEFINITION OF UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED LINE LOADS
DL GIR JOINTS LOAD JOINTS LOAD JOINTS LOAD JOINTS LOAD

# # FROM TO KIP/FT FROM TO KIP/FT FROM TO KIP/FT FROM TO KIP/FT
5 1 1 41 .47 0 0 .00 0 0 .00 0 0 .00

5 2 2 42 .47 0 0 .00 0 0 .00 0 0 .00
5 3 3 43 .47 0 0 .00 0 0 .00 0 0 .00
5 4 4 44 .47 0 0 .00 0 0 .00 0 0 .00

PAGE 15
EXAMPLE PROBLEM
DEFINITION OF CONCENTRATED LIVE LOADING
DISTANCE DISTANCE DISTANCE

LIVE FROM FROM FROM
LOAD GIR JOINT JOINT LOAD JOINT JOINT LOAD JOINT JOINT LOAD
NUM NUM NUM FEET KIP NUM FEET KIP NUM FEET KIP
1 1 5 3.00 12.00 9 .01 12.00 9 14.00 3.00

1 2 6 3.00 28.00 10 .01 28.00 10 14.00 7.00
1 3 7 3.00 20.00 11 .01 20.00 11 14.00 5.00
1 4 8 3.00 4.00 12 .01 4.00 12 14.00 1.00
B-4.13
DESCUS
B.6.1 Flow Chart
STEP 1
Establish Framing Plan
1. Determine locations of the piers
2. Decide Girder spacing/no. of girders
3. Location crossframe/diaphragm (AASHTO Guide C1.8)
4. DESCUS Auto-MESH can be used for concentric grider,
skewed/non-skewed pier, multi-curve bridge
STEP 2
Select Preliminary Sections
1. Use DASH or equivalent program to design preliminary
straight girders
2. Use Figs. B.6.2 and B.6.3 to increase the moment and
subsequently the girder sizes (Attachment)
3. Approximate preliminary sizing of the diaphragm or
crossframes as a truss under MLB of Fig. B.6.1
4. Sketch layout and sizing of the bridge
STEP 3
Determine Live Load Distribution Factor Input
1. Locate traffic lanes
2. Default DF is AASHTO Standard used for single girder,
which is conservative
3. More realistic approach is using DESCUS Auto-DF,
which calculate girder DF (fraction of the axle loading)
for all traffic lanes (User’s Manual)
4. Influence surface will be generated by the program and
traffic loading including DF and IF will be applied to the
influence surfaces and automatically generated (User’s
Manual/Attachment)
5. Superelevation and centrifugal effects may be considered
in the check run(s) by changing the left & right wheel
loads in Auto-DF (User’s Manual)
B-6.1
DESCUS
STEP 4
DESCUS Computer Run
1. Use DESCUS Input command to enter general input, e.g.
bridge cross section, design parameters,… etc.
2. Calculate DF as in Step 3
3. Generate geometry as in Step 1
4. Enter girder and crossframe/diaphragm sizes
5. Exit Input mode and Use Run command to conduct the
first design
STEP 5
Check Stress Level
1. Output can be reviewed by DESCUS Print mode
2. For a quick check of the bending requirement in
DESCUS, check Table 10.8 for WSD and Table 20.7 for
LFD/LRFD
3. Size can be refined by design cycles
4. If the stresses in the flanges are satisfied, proceed to the
tables of the diaphragms, stiffeners, and shear connectors
(Attachment)
STEP 6
Revise DESCUS Input Data
1. Increase (if overstress) or reduce (if understress) girder
sections by DESCUS Input mode
2. All the load effects (M, V, D, T, and R) will be
redistributed due to global section changes and they will
be determined by the DESCUS
3. Return to Step 4.4 after revising the input data
4. Design is done when all the criteria are satisfied
B-6.2
DESCUS
B.6.2 DESCUS Results to be reviewed for design:
1. Diaphragms
Table 7.2 Axial Force and Stress Table for Diaphragms (Factored)
(The factored stresses are compared with the capacity of the chords in tension or in compression)
Table 7.3 Axial Force and Stress Range for Diaphragms (Unfactored)
(The unfactored stress ranges are compared with the allowables of 10 Ksi (68.95 Mpa) for
Category C, two million cycles and multi-lane loaded case as well as 9 Ksi (62.06 Mpa) for
Category C, over two-million cycles and single-lane loaded case)
2. Main Girder
Table 10.7 Total Induced Stress Ranges

(These unfactored stress ranges are compared with the same allowables as defined for diaphragms)
Table 20.7 Maximum Allowable Stresses and Design LL Types

(These factored stresses are compared with the allowables defined in the AASHTO Guide
Specifications)
3. Miscellaneous
Table 10.10 Shear Connector Spacing (based on the Fatigue Criteria)
Table 20.8 Transverse Stiffener Requirements
Table 8.1 Reactions (unfactored)
Table 9.1A Dead Load Deflections at 10th Points
4. Future Features
New Tables for Shear Connector Spacing (based on the Ultimate Strength Criteria)
New Table for the Splice Design
New Table for the Fatigue Requirements
B-6.3
DESCUS
Figure B.1 Portion of Curved Flange Between Diaphragms
Referring to the curve flange shown in Figure B.1,
M B P f B bt
q= = = (B-1)
Rh R R
ql 2 f B btl 2
M LB = = (B-2)
10 10 R
M LB
f LB =
S FL
(B-3)
36 fBl 2
=
5 Rb
where q = lateral load on flange, k/ft.

MB = in plane bending moment, k-ft.
P = direct load on flange, kips
R = radius, ft.
fB = direct stress in flange, ksi
b = flange width, in.
t = flange thickness, in.
MLB = lateral bending moment, k-ft.
SFL = section modulus of flange, in3.
l = diaphragm spacing, ft.
h = girder depth, c. to c. flanges, ft.
fLB = lateral flange bending stress, ksi
B-6.4
DESCUS
TABLE B.1 Approximate Lateral Bending Stresses, fLB, KSI, for Various Diaphragm
Spacings and Flange Widths
b – flange width
1 12” 16” 20” 24”
10’ 3.40 2.55 2.04 1.70
12’ 4.90 3.67 2.94 2.45
15’ 7.65 5.74 4.59 3.82
20’ 13.6 10.2 8.16 6.80
B-6.5
DESCUS
Figure B.2 Percent Increase in Dead Load Bending Moment in Longest Curved Girder
B-6.6
DESCUS
Figure B.3 Amplification Factor for Live Load Bending Moment in the Longest Curved Girder.
B-6.7
DESCUS
B.7 USE OF ELASTIC SPRING IN DESCUS

B.7.1 Purpose of the Elastic Spring Feature:
Substructuring is a modeling technique that is used quite often in the other industries (aerospace, automobile,...etc.).
This technique may be used to separate the superstructure from the substructure of a bridge, even as an integral one.
For different reasons DESCUS added the elastic spring feature and the support settlement feature to the system.
When we want to find the effect of curved girder support settlement, this feature is used. Elastic support feature is
to simulate the case of a bent structure or a hammerhead pier case, integral or non-integral, where girders do not line
up with the pier support and/or the pier behavior may affect the superstructure action. The support settlement
feature may be used to simulate this situation, but iterations are needed and it is time consuming. Therefore, support
elastic spring feature is preferred.
B.7.2: Pier Bent Support Simulation
The spring constants can be obtained by either hand calculation or any generic finite element program. If the pier
bent structure is a rigid frame, model the frame and apply unit load at each girder location and reverse the deflection
at each girder location for the spring constant. By applying “No of Girder” unit loads simultaneously, the influence
of the adjacent girder would be counted. This feature has been confirmed by a series of computer analysis (with the
frame cross section sketch and the verification computer model shown below).
If the pier bent structure is a box beam sitting on the top of two columns, only the beam needs to be modeled for
finding the spring constants. If the pier is a hammerhead type, same technique can be employed to obtain the spring
constants from the T-shape substructure analysis. If the pier is a hammerhead type, same technique can be
employed to obtain the spring constants from the T-shape substructure analysis.
To retain the rigidity between girders at the pier location, use the computer section (“CS”, Type 30) as defined in
Data Type 0501C. The vertical spring constants at the pier are accurate enough to capture the influence of all types
of piers, bent or hammerhead type.
B-7.1
Appendix C
Summary of DESCUS-I Updates to 2003 New Specifications
1. New Impact – Specified in 2003 New Guide Specifications Art. 3.5.6.1 for I-Girders and
Art. 3.5.6.3 for Fatigue
- Girder bending moment, torsion and deflections - Vehicle: 0.25, Lane: 0.20
- Reactions, shear, cross frame and diaphragm actions - Vehicle: 0.30, Lane: 0.25
- All fatigue - 15%
2. Simplified formula (Eq. 4-1) for the lateral bending moment Mlat in I-girder flanges due to
curvature.
6 Ml 2
M lat =
5 RD
3. Modified in 2003 New Guide Specifications Art. 9.5 Permanent Deflections for Overload
Limit State (DESCUS output Tables 20.7A)
4. 2003 New Guide Specifications adopted AASHTO LRFD Fatigue Limit State (DESCUS
output Tables 10.7 and 10.7A)
5. 2003 New Guide Specifications Section 5 for allowable (DESCUS output Table 20.7)
- Limits for the Guides (Eqs. 5-1, 5-2 and 5-3)

f l ≤ 0.5 Fy f l f b ≤ 0.5 l ≤ 25b and ≤ R / 10
- Compact compression flange - smaller of Eqs. 5-4 and 5-5
 Fcr1 = Fbs ρb ρw

Fcr = smaller  fl
 Fcr 2 = Fy − 3
- Noncompact compression flange - smaller of Eqs. 5-8 and 5-9
 Fcr1 = Fbs ρ b ρ w
Fcr = smaller
 Fcr 2 = Fy − f l
- Partially braced tension flange – smaller of Eqs. 5-10 and 5-11
C-1
 Fcr1 = Fbs ρb ρw

Fcr = smaller  fl
 Fcr 2 = Fy − 3
- Continuously braced tension flange – Fcr = Fy
6. 2003 New Guide Specifications Section 6 for web (DESCUS output Tables 20.7B for
overload)
- Unstiffened web criteria (Eqs. 6-1 and 6-2)

For R ≤ 700′
D
≤ 100
tw
For R > 700′

D
≤ 100 + 0.038(R − 700 ) ≤ 150
tw
- Web bending stress (Eq. 6-3)
0.9 Ek
Fcr = 2
≤ Fy
 D
 
 tw 
- Transversely stiffened web criteria (Eqs. 6-7a and 6-7b)

For R ≤ 700′
do = D
For R > 700′
d o = [1.0 + 0.00154(R − 700)]D ≤ 3D
- Transverse stiffener requirements (Eqs. 6-13 thru 6-18)
bs E
≤ 0.48
ts Fy
I ts = d o t w3 J
C-2
- Longitudinal stiffener requirement (Eq. 6-19)
(
I ls ≥ Dt w3 2.4a 2 − 0.13 β)
7. 2003 New Guide Specifications Section 7 for shear connector (DESCUS output Table
10.10)
- Strength criteria (Eqs. 7-1 thru 7-10)
P
N=
φ sc Su
- Fatigue criteria (Eqs. 7-11 thru 7-14)
Vsr = (Vfat )2 + (Ffat )2
8. 2003 New Guide Specifications Section 9 for live load deflection (DESCUS output Table
9.2)
- Without sidewalk, L/800

- With sidewalk, L/1000
9. DESCUS-I User’s Manual Section
5.5.3 Load Factor Rating (LFR) and Load and Resistance Factor Rating (LRFR)
A. LFR/LRFR for AASHTO Truck —
(a)
[ -γ fb ]
RF = Fcr LL+
DL
γ β fb 1
(b) RF =
[F overload
cr
- f DL
b ]
β f LL+
b
1
(a)
[ -γ
RF = Fcr LL+f1b
DL
]
γ fb
C-3
(b) RF =
[F overload
cr
- f DL
b ]
LL+1
f b
B. LFR/LRFR for Non-AASHTO Truck — The minimum of
(a)
[ -γ
RF = Fcr LL+f1b
DL
]
γ fb
(b) RF =
[F overload
cr
- f DL
b ]
LL+1
f b
where
Fb — Allowable bending stress for WSD, LFD or LRFD Method
Fy — Yield stress
fb — Bending stresses for dead load (DL) or live load (LL+1)
fb+W — Bending + warping stresses for dead load (DL) or live load (LL+1)
FINV — User-input Inventory Rating Factor (default = 0.55) for Working Stress rating
FOPT — User-input Operating Rating Factor (default = 0.75) for Working Stress rating
γ — Dead load factor (default = 1.3 for Load Factor rating or 1.25 to DC and 1.5 to DW for Load
and Resistance Factor rating)
β — Live load factor (default = 5/3 for Load Factor rating or 1.75 to normal vehicle and 1.35 to
special vehicle for Load and Resistance Factor rating)
10. Recommendation for DESCUS-I Runs with the 2003 New Guide Specifications
Step1 – Make a normal DESCUS run for Strength Limit State with the multiple-lane loaded
case (use attached sampler.df for AUTODF and sampler.dat for multiple-lane loaded
case run. The result file is sampler.new for 2003 output.)
Step2 – Make a DESCUS run for Fatigue Limit State with the single-lane loaded case; then
check Table 7.3 for diaphragm stress ranges, Tables 10.7 & 10.7A for girder stress
ranges and acceptable categories, and Table 10.10 for shear connector design. (For
details of the single-lane loaded case, read User’s Manual Appendix B.1 -
Distribution Factor Utility Program, AUTODF.) (use attached sampler1.df for
AUTODF and sampler1.dat for single-lane loaded case run. The result file is
sampler1.new for 2003 output.)
Step 3 – If super-elevation and centrifugal force effects are considered, make another
DESCUS run for Strength Limit State with the multiple-lane loaded case adjusted by
these two effects. (For details of super-elevation and centrifugal force effects, read
User’s Manual Section 5.3.3 - User-Specified Live Load Distribution Factor and
Appendix B.1 - Distribution Factor Utility Program, AUTODF.)
C-4
Appendix D: DESCUS Rendering
D.1 Start DESCUS Rendering
To start 3D Rendering and/or FEA Model, select File\Open and specify a DESCUS
input data file in file selection dialog box followed. A message box, as shown in
Figure 1, will open. This message box shows that the reading of data file is done and
the geometry is generated.
Figure 1. Finish tessellation message box

Press OK to continue.
A selection dialog box, as shown in Figure 2, will open. Select 3D Rendering or FEA
Model in this dialog box and then press OK.
Figure 2. Selection of 3D Rendering and FEA Model
Multiple FEA Model window can be opened at same time, but only one Rendering
window can be opened. So, if one data file is opened as Rendering, 3D Rendering
selection will be disabled and only FEA Model is available. To view the Rendering
of another data files, please close the current Rendering window.
D.2 3D Rendering
Most of operation in Rendering is to change the view parameters of rendering.
D.2.1 View control
Move cursor while left button is hold will rotate the bridge along the X and Y axes of
the current view. The horizontal movement component will cause the bridge rotate
along Y axis of the current view, while the vertical movement component will rotate
the bridge along X axis.
D-1
The mapping of the view in 3D real world changes whenever a rotation of a minimum
angle is done, thus the rotation axes in real world changes. A graphic processing
performance of a computer will cause lags of rotation and make it hard to control the
view.
Move cursor while left button and SHIFT key are hold will change the view angle of
rendering. The smaller the view angle, the smaller portion and the more detailed of a
bridge can be displayed.
Move cursor while left button and CTRL key are hold will pan the view on a plane
aligned with current view.
D.2.2 Rendering parameter
Several different rendering parameters, such as colors of different parts of a bridge,

can be adjusted to change the rendering. Make sure the Rendering window is
activate, then select View\Option. A dialog box, as shown in Figure 3,will open.
Figure 3. Render option dialog box
The Exaggeration ratio controls how much the thickness of any plate be enhanced
when it is rendered. Without exaggeration, the plate thick cannot be rendered clearly
in most cases due to its relatively small dimension. An exaggeration ratio of 100%
means no exaggeration.
A bridge can be rendered in 6 different colors according to different parts. Press the
color button to change these colors respectively.
Show deck controls whether to show the bridge deck or not. If the deck is to be
shown, its width and thick can be specified by Overhang and Thick.
Show diaphragms controls whether to show diaphragms or not.
Show stiffeners controls whether to show stiffeners of a box-girder bridge.
D-2
Press OK to change the render options and press Cancel to cancel the changes.
D.3 FEA Model View
All operations in FEA Model View are through View menu or popup menu. To
activate the popup menu, right click over the current FEA Model View. A popup
menu, as shown in Figure 4, will be popped up.
Figure 4. Pop-up menu in FEA Model View
D.3.1 Change display properties
Select Display Properties in pop-up menu. A dialog box, as shown in Figure 5, will
open.
Figure 5. Display properties
Click the lines under Girders and Diaphragms to change the girder color and
diaphragm color respectively.
Spin the number boxes under Girders and Diaphragms to change the girder width
and diaphragm with respectively.
D-3
Display label and Label font under Girders and Diaphragms control whether to
display girder member numbers and diaphragm numbers and their font.
The node display properties have to sets, one for control the normal nodes and the
other one for control of the support nodes. Each set has style (left spin), color
(middle button) and size (right spin). Spin or press the color button to change these
properties.
Display label and Label font under Node-Normal-Support control whether to

display node number and its font.
The color button of Background controls the color the window background.
Press OK to change the display properties or Press Cancel to discard the changes.
D.3.2 Zoom the view
Use Zoom All to see entire model
Use Zoom In to enlarge the view
Use Zoom Out the reduce view
Use Zoom Window to zoom the view to a window. A crosshair will appear on
screen. Move the cursor to one corner and left click, then move the cursor to other
corner and left click again. These two corners specify the view window.
Use Dynamic Zoom to zoom the view dynamically. Move the cursor while hold the
left button will dynamically change the view.
Use Pan to pan the view.
D.3.3 Copy the view to clipboard
Use Copy (WMF) and Copy (BMP) to copy the current view into Clipboard as in
WMF and BMP formats respectively. Then it can be pasted onto any document
processing program, such as Word.
D-4
DESCUS
APPENDIX E
DESCUS DIAGRAM (VERSION 1.0)
E.1 Installation
For all new DESCUS I/II users, DESCUS Diagram will automatically be installed when the main
program is installed. For all old DESCUS I/II users who want to upgrade the diagram plot program of
DESCUS I/II, DESCUS Diagram can be installed by running its setup program. For the new users of
DESCUS I/II, please skip to next section of this manual.
To run the setup program, double click SETUP.EXE and follow the instructions. During the
installation procedures, it needs only to specify the program destination, which is, by default,
C:\Program Files\DESCUS Diagram.
E.2 Start DESCUS Diagram

To start the DESCUS Diagram, click Start/DESCUS Diagram, as to start any Windows program.
When the program starts, a splash window will open and remains open for about two seconds. Then,
the main window will open as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1. The main window
E.3 Open DESCUS GRH File

To plot the DESCUS data, go to File/Open menu in the main window. In the file section dialogue box
as shown in Figure 2, select the DESCUS GRH file. Click Open in Figure 2 to open the GRH file.
E-1
DESCUS
Figure 2. Select a GRH file to open
E.4 Select data to plot in a window

After DESCUS GRH file is read, the diagram selection dialogue box, as shown in Figure 3, will open.
Figure 3. Select data to plot in a window
To add an item into the window, highlight it in the left list and click >> or double click over the
item.
To add more items into the window, highlight them in the left list and click >>.
To remove an item from the window, highlight it in the right list and click << or double click
over the item.
To remove more items from the window, highlight them in the right list and click <<.
To add or remove all items at one time, click <<<< or >>>>.
To move an item in the right list up and down, click Move Up and Move Down. The order of
items in the right list is the order of diagrams plotted in the window.
To confirm the selection, click OK.
To cancel the selection, click Cancel.
E.5 Diagram menu commands

The diagram window, as shown in Figure 4, will open after the data selection is confirmed in the above
step.
E-2
DESCUS
Figure 4. The diagram window
The diagram menu commands are in View menu as shown in Figure 1 and they are also available in
the popup menu of the diagram window.
To activate the popup menu, right click over any place in the diagram window. The menu will pop up,
as shown in Figure 5.
Figure 5. Diagram commands menu
E.5.1 Change display properties
Select Display Properties menu command. A dialog box, as shown in Figure 6, will open.
E-3
DESCUS
Figure 6. Display properties
Click the lines under Axis to change the horizontal axis color. For a multiple-spans data, the axis will
be plotted in two different colors to differentiate adjacent spans.
Spin the number boxes under Axis to change the horizontal axis width. The unit of line width is 1/72
inch.
Click the color button under Background to change the window background color.
Click the line under Chart to change the chart line color or fill color.
Spin the number boxes under Chart to change the chart line width. The unit of line width is 1/72 inch.
Check Filled chart if to fill chart with solid color or uncheck it if to use lines chart.
Check Label values if to label values or uncheck it, if otherwise.
Enter the chart height percentage in Chart height ratio. A value of 100 means the chart height will be
the same as the horizontal axis. A value of 25 means the chart height will be 25% of the horizontal
axis.
Enter the chart space percentage in Chart space ratio. A value of 100 means the space between two
charts in vertical will be the same as the horizontal axis. A value of 25 means the space between charts
will be 25% of the horizontal axis.
Click Label Font and Title Font to change the fonts for display labels and chart title.
Select format to label value in Format and enter fraction number in Fractions.
Before sending print of diagrams, enter paper margins in Printing Page Margins.
Click OK to confirm the changes or click Cancel to discard the changes.
E.5.2 Zoom the view
Use Zoom All to see entire model
E-4
DESCUS
Use Zoom In to enlarge the view
Use Zoom Out the reduce view
Use Zoom Window to zoom the view to a window. A crosshair will appear on screen. Move the
cursor to one corner and left click, then move the cursor to other corner and left click again. These two
corners specify the view window.
Use Dynamic Zoom to zoom the view dynamically. Move the cursor while hold the left button will
dynamically change the view.
Use Pan to pan the view.
E.5.3 Remove overlapped labels
If the labels are overlapped, use Remove Overlapped Label to remove the overlapped text. If to turn
the removed labels back, use Regenerate Label.
E.5.4 Open new window to plot diagrams
Use New Diagrams to open a new window to plot diagram. The diagram selection dialogue, as shown
in Figure 3, will open. The difference is that the diagrams already plotted in the current window will
be listed in the right.
E.5.5 Copy the view to clipboard
Use Copy (WMF) and Copy (BMP) to copy the current view into Clipboard as in WMF and BMP
formats respectively. Then it can be pasted onto any document processing program, such as Word.
E.5.6 Export to DXF file
Use DXF Export to export the diagrams into a DXF file. So, the diagrams can be plotted in any
CADD platform that supports DXF file.
E.6 Print Preview and Print diagrams
The diagrams in the current window can be printed out. Use File/Print Setup… to set up the printer
and select paper size/orientation first. Before send print, use File/Print Preview to preview the
diagrams. Use File/Print to send print.
The print may be different from what displayed in the diagram window in the following ways:
1. The diagram will be fitted horizontally to the effective paper width. And number of
diagrams can be printed in one page can be determined then. All diagrams shown in
the current window, may take several pages.
2. The removed overlapped labels may be different from that removed in the current
diagram window due to readjustment according to printer resolutions.
3. The source file name and path will be plotted on the bottom of each page.
E-5
The diagrams in the current window can be printed out. Use File/Print Setup… to
set up the printer and select paper size/orientation first. Before send print, use
File/Print Preview to preview the diagrams. Use File/Print to send print.
The print may be different from what displayed in the diagram window in the
following ways:
1. The diagram will be fitted horizontally to the effective paper width.
And number of diagrams can be printed in one page can be determined
then. All diagrams shown in the current window, may take several
pages.
2. The removed overlapped labels may be different from that removed in
the current diagram window due to readjustment according to printer
resolutions.
3. The source file name and path will be plotted on the bottom of each
page.
E-6
DESCUS
APPENDIX F
SUMMARY OF DESCUS-I AASHTO LRFD 4TH EDITION

To cover all the LRFD load combinations and summarize the tables for the LRFD stress checks, multiple
runs are needed:
1. For a normal multi-lane with all HL-93 case (using Auto-DF for multi-lane loaded case):
A - Tables 20.1 A & B for Flexural Constructibility Limit State, which correspond to Strength IV
Limit State;
B - Table 20.7 for Flexural Strength I Limit State; (If no permit vehicle, this Table also applies for
Flexural Strength II Limit State;)
C - Tables 20.7A & B for Flexural Service I Limit State; (If no permit vehicle, this Table also applies
for Flexural Service II Limit State;)
D – Table 20.8 for Shear Strength I Limit State; (If no perm and transverse stiffener requirement it
vehicle, this Table also applies for Strength II Limit State;)
E – Table 20.9 for Flexural HL-93 Rating of all Strength & Service Limit States;
F – Table 9.2 for Service I Limit State live load deflection requirement.
2. For a single-lane loaded with HL-93 case (using Auto-DF for single lane loaded case):
A - Tables 10.7 & 10.7A for Fatigue Limit State on stress ranges;
B - Table 10.10 for Fatigue Limit State on shear range and shear connector spacing.
3. For a lane loaded with permit vehicle (, if any) and others loaded with HL-93 case (using Auto-DF for
multi-lane loaded case w/non-AASHTO vehicle loaded option):
A - Table 20.7 for Flexural Strength II Limit State;
B - Tables 20.7A & B for Flexural Service II Limit State;
C – Table 20.8 for Shear Strength I Limit State and transverse stiffener requirement;
D – Table 20.9 for Flexural Permit Vehicle Rating of all Strength & Service Limit States.
1. TABLE 20.0=FLB AND LTB ALLOWABLESTRESSES AND THE RESISTANCE
6.10.8.2.2 Local Buckling Resistance
The local buckling resistance of the compression flange shall be taken as:
• If λ f ≤ λ pf , then:
Fnc = Rb Rh Fyc (6.10.8.2.2-1)
• Otherwise:
⎡ ⎛ Fyr ⎞ ⎛ λ f − λ pf ⎞⎤
Fnc = ⎢1 − ⎜1 − ⎟⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎥ Rb Rh Fyc
⎜ ⎟ ⎜ λ rf − λ pf
⎣⎢ ⎝ R h
Fyc ⎠⎝ ⎠ ⎦⎥
(6.10.8.2.2-2)
in which:
λf = slenderness ratio for the compression flange

b fc
= (6.10.8.2.2-3)
2t fc
λpf = limiting slenderness ratio for a compact flange
F-1
DESCUS
E
= 0.38 (6.10.8.2.2-4)
Fyc
λrf = limiting slenderness ratio for a noncompact flange

E
= 0.56 (6.10.8.2.2-5)
Fyr
where:
Fyr = compression-flange stress at the onset of nominal yielding within the cross-section,
including residual stress effects, but not including compression-flange lateral bending,
taken as the smaller of 0.7Fyc and Fyw, but not less than 0.5Fyc
Rb = web load-shedding factor determined as specified in Article 6.10.1.10.2
Rh = hybrid factor determined as specified in Article 6.10.1.10.1
Lp = limiting unbraced length to achieve the nominal flexural resistance of RbRhFyc under
uniform bending (in.)
E
= 1.0 rt (6.10.8.2.3-4)
Fyc
Lr = limiting unbraced length to achieve the onset of nominal yielding in either flange under
uniform bending with consideration of compression-flange residual stress effects (in.)
E
= π rt (6.10.8.2.3-5)
Fyr
Lb = unbraced length (in.)
2. TABLE 20.1A=CONSTRUCBILITY AND ALLOWABLE FLANGE STRESSES
f bu + fl ≤ φ f Rh Fyc , (6.10.3.2.1-1)
1
f bu + fl ≤ φ f Fnc , (6.10.3.2.1-2)
3
and
f bu ≤ φ f Fcrw (6.10.3.2.1-3)
where:
φf = resistance factor for flexure specified in Article 6.5.4.2.
fbu = flange stress calculated without consideration of flange lateral bending determined as
specified in Article 6.10.1.6 (ksi)
F-2
DESCUS
fl = flange lateral bending stress determined as specified in Article 6.10.1.6 (ksi)
Fcrw = nominal bend-buckling resistance for webs specified in Article 6.10.1.9 (ksi)
Fnc = nominal flexural resistance of the flange (ksi). Fnc shall be determined as specified in
Article 6.10.8.2. For sections in straight I-girder bridges with compact or noncompact
webs, the lateral torsional buckling resistance may be taken as Mnc determined as
specified in Article A6.3.3 divided by Sxc. In computing Fnc for constructibility, the web
load-shedding factor, Rb, shall be taken as 1.0.
Myc = yield moment with respect to the compression flange determined as specified in Article
D6.2 (kip-in.)
Rh = hybrid factor specified in Article 6.10.1.10.1
Sxc = elastic section modulus about the major axis of the section to the compression flange
taken as Myc/Fyc (in.3)
For critical stages of construction, the following requirement shall be satisfied:
f bu + fl ≤ φ f Rh Fyt (6.10.3.2.2-1)
3. TABLE 20.7=STRENGTH LIMIT STATE MAXIMUM AND ALLOWABLE STRESSES
At the strength limit state, the compression flange shall satisfy:
f bu ≤ φ f Fnc (6.10.7.2.1-1)
where:
φf = resistance factor for flexure specified in Article 6.5.4.2
Fnc = nominal flexural resistance of the compression flange determined as specified in Article
6.10.7.2.2 (ksi)
The tension flange shall satisfy:
1
f bu + fl ≤ φ f Fnt (6.10.7.2.1-2)
3
where:
Fnt = nominal flexural resistance of the tension flange determined as specified in Article
6.10.7.2.2 (ksi)
For shored construction, the maximum longitudinal compressive stress in the concrete deck at the
strength limit state, determined as specified in Article 6.10.1.1.1d, shall not exceed 0.6f′c.
F-3
DESCUS
Lateral bending stresses in continuously braced flanges shall be taken equal to zero. Lateral
bending stresses in discretely braced flanges shall be determined by structural analysis. All
discretely braced flanges shall satisfy:
f f ≤ 0.6 Fyf (6.10.1.6-1)
At the strength limit state, the following requirement shall be satisfied:
1
f bu + fl ≤ φ f Fnc (6.10.8.1.1-1)
3
where:
φf = resistance factor for flexure specified in Article 6.5.4.2
Fnc = nominal flexural resistance of the flange determined as specified in Article 6.10.8.2 (ksi)
At the strength limit state, the following requirement shall be satisfied:
1
f bu + fl ≤ φ f Fnt (6.10.8.1.2-1)
3
where:
Fnt= nominal flexural resistance of the flange determined as specified in Article 6.10.8.3 (ksi)
4. TABLE 20.8=STRENGTH SHEAR AND TRANSVERSE STIFFENER REQUIREMENT
D Ek
• If > 1.40 , then:
tw Fyw
1.57 ⎛ Ek ⎞
C= 2 ⎜ ⎟ (6.10.9.3.2-6)
⎛ D ⎞ ⎜⎝ Fyw ⎟⎠
⎜ ⎟
⎝ tw ⎠
in which:
k = shear-buckling coefficient
5
= 5+ 2
(6.10.9.3.2-7)
⎛ do ⎞
⎜D⎟
⎝ ⎠
F-4
DESCUS
6.10.2.1.1 Webs Without Longitudinal Stiffeners
Webs shall be proportioned such that:
D
≤ 150 (6.10.2.1.1-1)
tw
6.10.2.1.2 Webs With Longitudinal Stiffeners
Webs shall be proportioned such that:

D
≤ 300 (6.10.2.1.2-1)
tw
• the section satisfies the web slenderness limit:

2 Dcp E
≤ 3.76 (6.10.6.2.2-1)
tw Fyc
where:
Dcp = depth of the web in compression at the plastic moment determined as specified in
Article D6.3.2 (in.)
• the web satisfies the noncompact slenderness limit:
2 Dc E
< 5.7 (6.10.6.2.3-1)
tw Fyc
6.10.9.2 Nominal Resistance of Unstiffened Webs
The nominal shear resistance of unstiffened webs shall be taken as:
Vn = Vcr = CV p (6.10.9.2-1)
in which:
V p = 0.58 Fyw Dtw (6.10.9.2-2)
where:
C = ratio of the shear-buckling resistance to the shear yield strength determined by Eqs. 6.10.9.3.2-4, 6.10.9.3.2-
5 or 6.10.9.3.2-6 as applicable, with the shear-buckling coefficient, k, taken equal to 5.0
Vcr = shear-buckling resistance (kip)
Vn = nominal shear resistance (kip)
Vp = plastic shear force (kip)
F-5
DESCUS
Otherwise, the nominal shear resistance shall be taken as follows:
⎡ ⎤
⎢ ⎥
⎢ 0.87(1 − C ) ⎥
Vn = V p ⎢C + ⎥ (6.10.9.3.2-8)
⎢ ⎛ 2 ⎞ ⎥
⎢ ⎜ 1 + ⎛⎜ d o ⎞⎟ + d o ⎟ ⎥
⎢ ⎜ ⎝D⎠ D ⎟⎥
⎣ ⎝ ⎠⎦
in which:
V p = 0.58 Fyw Dtw (6.10.9.3.3-2)
where:
C = ratio of the shear-buckling resistance to the shear yield strength determined by

Eqs. 6.10.9.3.2-4, 6.10.9.3.2-5, or 6.10.9.3.2-6 as applicable
Vcr = shear-buckling resistance (kip)
Vp = plastic shear force (kip)
The transverse stiffener spacing for end panels with or without longitudinal stiffeners shall not
exceed 1.5D.
5. TABLE 20.7A=SERVICE LIMIT STATE AND ALLOWABLE FLANGE STRESSES

TABLE 20.7B=SERVICE LIMIT STATE AND ALLOWABLE WEB STRESSES
Flanges shall satisfy the following requirements:

• For the top steel flange of composite sections:
f f ≤ 0.95 Rh Fyf (6.10.4.2.2-1)
• For the bottom steel flange of composite sections:
fl
ff + ≤ 0.95 Rh Fyf (6.10.4.2.2-2)
2
• For both steel flanges of noncomposite sections:
fl
ff + ≤ 0.80 Rh Fyf (6.10.4.2.2-3)
2
The nominal bend-buckling resistance shall be taken as:
0.9 Ek
Fcrw = 2
(6.10.1.9.1-1)
⎛D⎞
⎜ ⎟
⎝ tw ⎠
but not to exceed the smaller of RhFyc and Fyw /0.7.
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DESCUS
in which:
k = bend-buckling coefficient
9
= (6.10.1.9.1-2)
( Dc / D )
2
where:
Dc = depth of the web in compression in the elastic range (in.). For composite
sections, Dc shall be determined as specified in Article D6.3.1.
Rh = hybrid factor specified in Article 6.10.1.10.1
When both edges of the web are in compression, k shall be taken as 7.2.
Vsr = horizontal fatigue shear range per unit length (kip/in.)
(V ) + ( F )
2 2
= fat fat (6.10.10.1.2-2)
Vfat = longitudinal fatigue shear range per unit length (kip/in.)
6. TABLE 10.7=TOTAL INDUCED STRESS RANGES

TABLE 10.7A=FATIGUE STRESS RANGES WITH ACCEPTABLE CATEGORY
7. TABLE 10.10=SHEAR CONNECTOR SPACING (FATIGUE)
The fatigue shear resistance of an individual stud shear connector, Zr, shall be taken as:
5.5d 2
Z r = αd 2 ≥ (6.10.10.2-1)
2
in which:
α = 34.5 − 4.28 log N (6.10.10.2-2)
where:
d = diameter of the stud (in.)
N = number of cycles specified in Article 6.6.1.2.5
8. (Not covered; Calculated separately)
6.10.10.4 Strength Limit State
6.10.10.4.1 General
The factored shear resistance of a single shear connector, Qr, at the strength limit state shall be taken as:
Qr = φsc Qn (6.10.10.4.1-1)
where:
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DESCUS
Qn = nominal shear resistance of a single shear connector determined as specified in Article 6.10.10.4.3 (kip)
φsc = resistance factor for shear connectors specified in Article 6.5.4.2
At the strength limit state, the minimum number of shear connectors, n, over the region under consideration shall
be taken as:
P
n= (6.10.10.4.1-2)
Qr
where:
P = total nominal shear force determined as specified in Article 6.10.10.4.2 (kip)
Qr = factored shear resistance of one shear connector determined from Eq. 1 (kip)
Pp = total longitudinal shear force in the concrete deck at the point of maximum
positive live load plus impact moment (kip) taken as the lesser of either:
P1 p = 0.85 f c′bs ts (6.10.10.4.2-2)
or
P2 p = Fyw Dtw + Fyt b ft t ft + Fyc b fc t fc (6.10.10.4.2-3)
Fp = total radial shear force in the concrete deck at the point of maximum positive
live load plus impact moment (kip) taken as:
Lp
Fp = Pp (6.10.10.4.2-4)
R
where:
bs = effective width of the concrete deck (in.)
ts = thickness of the concrete deck (in.)
Lp = arc length between an end of the girder and an adjacent point of maximum
positive live load plus impact moment (ft.)
R = minimum girder radius over the length, Lp (ft.)
PT = Pp + Pn (6.10.10.4.2-6)
Pn = total longitudinal shear force in the concrete deck over an interior support (kip)
taken as the lesser of either:
P1n = Fyw Dtw + Fyt b ft t ft + Fyc b fct fc (6.10.10.4.2-7)
or
P2 n = 0.45 f c′bs ts (6.10.10.4.2-8)
F-8
DESCUS
APPENDIX G
SUMMARY OF DESCUS-I LRFD LIVE LOAD DEFLECTION

G.1 AASHTO Provisions
1. AASHTO Art. 2.5.2.6.2
Some of the principles applied:
• When investigating the maximum absolute deflection, all design lanes should be loaded, and all
supporting components should be assumed to deflect equally;
(As a footnote in AASHTO, for a multibeam bridge, this is equivalent to saying that the
distribution factor for deflection is equal to the number of lanes divided by the number of beams.)
• For composite design, the design cross-section should include the entire width of the roadway and
the structurally continuous portions of the railings, sidewalk, and median barriers;
• When investigating maximum relative displacements, the number and position of loaded lanes
should be selected to provide the worst differential effect.
The default deflection limits are:
• Vehicular load, general ……………………. Span/800.

• Vehicular and/or pedestrian loads …………. Span/1000.
2. AASHTO Art. 3.4.1 – Service I (Live Load + dynamic load allowance IM)
3. AASHTO Art. 3.6.1.3.2
Loading for live load deflection evaluation:
• That resulting from the design truck alone, or

• That resulting from 25 percent of the design truck taken together with the design lane load.
4. AASHTO Art. 6.10.4.2 – Service Limit State
For members with shear connectors provided throughout their entire length that also satisfy the
provisions of Article 6.10.1.7 flexural stresses caused by Service II loads applied to the composite
section may be computed using the short-term or long-term composite section, as appropriate,
assuming the concrete deck is effective for both positive and negative flexure.
G.2 DESCUS Options for Live Load Deflection Calculation Run
1. Shear Connector in the Negative Moment Region: Enter '2' if shear connectors with rebars (if any)
are considered in the negative moment region as well as the composite sections are considered in
the analysis when the stiffness matrices for SDL and LL are generated. (It is recommended to
have a separate run with the assumption of composite section in the negative moment region)
2. Option Live Load Distribution Factors: When investigating the maximum absolute deflection, all
design lanes are loaded, and maximum live load deflections are recorded. For equal distribution
factors, enter equal factors “NL/NG”, where NL is number of lanes and NG is number of girders, to
satisfy the first principle shown in Section G.1.1. However, for maximum relative displacements,
in order to satisfy the third principle in the same section, controlling distribution factors of every
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DESCUS
girders with their corresponding distribution factors, as described in Appendix B.1 (for all the
other load effects, such as moments, shears, and reactions), should be employed.
3. Barrier for the Live Load Deflection Option: Enter
Number of concrete barrier : Enter ‘2’ for two barriers

Moment of inertia of concrete Barrier (in4) : Ibarrier (shown below for example)
Area of barrier for LL stiffness (in2) : Abarrier (shown below for example)
Distance from CG of barrier to the top of slab (in) : ybot (shown below for example)
The program will calculate the equivalent composite section properties based on the input moment
of inertia and area of the barrier. The total stiffness effect of the barrier(s) will be equally shared
by all girders for the live load deflection calculation.
Note: A separate run is recommended for the live load deflections with the consideration of
the barrier(s).
Section Properties of one barrier

Section Shape Base Height A db Adb d Ad2 I0
A rectangle 13.25 3.00 39.75 1.50 59.63 -13.00 6721.37 29.81
B rectangle 8.37 7.00 58.59 6.50 380.84 -8.00 3753.05 239.24
C triangle 4.87 7.00 17.05 5.33 90.91 -9.17 1433.35 46.40
D rectangle 6.00 22.00 132.00 21.00 2772.00 6.50 5570.99 5324.00
E triangle 2.37 22.00 26.07 17.33 451.88 2.83 208.77 700.99
F rectangle 1.50 12.00 18.00 26.00 468.00 11.50 2379.05 216.00
G triangle 1.50 1.00 0.75 19.67 14.75 5.16 19.99 0.04
Sum 32.00 292.21 4238.00 20086.56 6556.49
ybot= 14.50 ytop= 17.50
Ix=I0+Ad2 = 26643.06 in4

Sbot = 1837.01 in3 Stop = 1522.77 in3
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APPENDIX H - VISUAL DES-MESH USER’S MANUAL
Chapter 1 Introduction and Installation
1.1 Introduction
Visual Des-Mesh is a Windows GUI application that provides the DESCUS users abilities
to build geometry models. Its development adopts GUI and database technologies extensively to
enhance DESCUS by allowing users to build and edit bridge models via parametric describing and
interactive graphical editing of bridge geometries. It can also import the bridge geometries from
DXF files created by CAD platforms such as Microstation and AutoCAD.
Visual Des-Mesh upgrades the predecessor, DESCUS-PRE/MJ, which runs on Microstation
platform. As a standalone Windows application, Visual Des-Mesh runs on Windows 2000/XP and
up.
1.2 Installation (for independent version)

To install Visual Des-Mesh, run Setup.exe first. The setup procedures are simple and the
default settings are preset for common installation. Simply click Next buttons in dialog boxes
starting from Figure 1.
Figure 1. Setup Visual Des-Mesh

When the installation procedure is finished, the following files and folder will be copied to
the program folder:
a. Visual Des-Mesh.EXE – the executable file
b. Samples - the samples folder
c. User’s Manual - this manual
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Chapter 2 Visual Des-Mesh Main Window and Menus
2.1 Visual Des-Mesh Main Window

When Visual Des-Mesh starts, the main window as shown in Figure 2 will open on the
screen. The main menu is on the top left of the window. The main window is split into two
portions. The left portion is the data forms area. The right portion, the blue area, is the
graphics area.
Figure 2. Main window of Visual Des-Mesh

User can select commands from the main menu, enter geometry parameters in the data
forms, or pick/edit geometries from the graphics area. A context popup menu is available in the
graphics area. It contains zoom and commonly used geometry edit commands. It can be
activated by right click. Two shortcut commands are also available in Girders data form
allowing editing girders conveniently.
2.2 Visual Des-Mesh Main Menus

The Visual Des-Mesh main menu contains File, View, Key Points, Girders, Diaphragms,
Exchange, Window and Help.
File menu
New Create a new Visual Des-Mesh project
Open Open an existing Visual Des-Mesh project
Close Close the current project.
Save Save the changes of the current project
Save As Save the current project as a different project
Print Print the current graphics view
Print Preview Preview the current graphics view
Print Setup Setup printer and page
Exit Quit Visual Des-Mesh
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View menu
Options Change display options
Turn On Node Labels Show node labels
Turn On Element Labels Show element labels
Toolbar Show toolbar on top the main window
Status Bar Show status bar on the bottom of the window
Key Points menu
Add a Key Point to Mainline or Girder Add a key point to mainline/girder
Change Key Point Section Change section # of a key point
Move KP Location and Change KP Section Move key point and change its section
Delete Key Point Delete a key point
Girders menu
Create a Girder Create a girder
Edit a Girder Edit parameters of a girder
Delete a Girder Delete a girder
Diaphragms menu
Add Diaphragms Add diaphragms
Edit Diaphragms Edit diaphragms
Delete Diaphragms Delete diaphragms
Exchange menu
Export to DESCUS Export to DESCUS data file
Import from DESCUS Import from DESCUS data file
Import from DXF Import from DXF file
Window menu
Cascade Cascade windows
Tile Tile windows
Help menu
About Visual Des-Mesh About Visual Des-Mesh
2.3 Graphics Area Context Menu

Visual Des-Mesh provides a context menu to allow users to interact with bridge geometries
easily. Right click over the graphics area to popup the menu.
Zoom All Zoom the drawing to full extent
Zoom In Zoom in the drawing
Zoom Out Zoom out the drawing
Zoom Window Zoom the drawing by window
Pan Pan the drawing
Add a Key Point to Mainline or Girder Add a key point to mainline/girder
Change Key Point Section Change section # of a key point
Move KP Location and Change KP Section Move key point and change section
Delete Key Point Delete a key point
Grid Lines Turn on/off the grid lines
Set Grid Spaces Change the grid line spaces
Set Background Change background color
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Chapter 3 A Typical Example of Building a Model
In order to give a quick sense of Visual Des-Mesh, a ten-span curved bridge will be taken
as the first example to demonstrate the building of a bridge model. In this example, all girders are
parallel to the mainline, and the mainline curve is defined by a set of parameters that is similar to
the early DESCUS-AutoMesh.
In this example, only basic functions for building a bridge model are introduced. Users
can review this example to get started with Visual Des-Mesh. More comprehensive functions for
editing the bridge model will be included in the next chapter.
3.1 Basic Data of an Example Bridge (all in feet)

Mainline (assumed to be the bridge centerline)
Start Station: 20700.00 (this should not be the start of the bridge)
Curve: 1) Straight line with a length of 1096.78, 2) Arc with a length of 465.09 and a radius
of 520 (clockwise), 3) Straight line with a length of (455.96), 4) Arc with a length of 316.08 and a
radius of 800 (counterclockwise), 5) Straight line with a length of 275.09 and 6) Arc with a length
of 290 and a radius of 5700 (clockwise).
Bridge starts at station 21767.5.
4 Girders are offset from the mainline: –14.0, -8.75, 8.75 and 14.0 respectively.
10 Span lengths are 106.75, 180.0, 200.0, 200.0, 200.0, 200.0, 200.0, 200.0, 180.0 and
156.33.
All support lines are perpendicular to the tangent of the mainline.
Diaphragm spacing is approximately 20.0.
3.2 Steps to Create a Bridge Model
3.2.1 Start Visual Des-Mesh

Locate Visual Des-Mesh in Windows Start menu and start the program. The main
window as shown in Figure 2 will open.
3.2.2 Create Mainline

Click Mainline tab to pop the mainline parameter form on top. Follow instructions below
and enter the mainline parameters in the form as shown in Figure 3:
1) Click the Curve Type and select a type in the dropdown list to change the curve type.
2) Press TAB to move the current cell beyond last cell to add a new record.
3) Move the cursor away from the current cell to take the change into effect.
4) Enter the mainline start station in Start Station.
a. For a circular segment, positive radius goes counter clockwise.
b. For a straight line segment, leave Radius blank.
c. For a spiral segment, enter the ending radius in Radius. The starting radius
of a spiral is defined by its preceding segment, or indefinite if the spiral starts
the curve.
5) Highlight a record and press DELETE to remove a record.
6) Empty rows (except the Curve Type column) can be kept in the form.
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Figure 3. Enter Mainline curve parameters
Right click over the graphics area to popup the context menu. Select Zoom All to zoom
the drawing to full extent.
3.2.3 Adjust Display Properties

Select View then Options from the main menu to change the display properties. Set both
the mainline and girder key points sizes to 8, as shown in Figure 4, so that they can be seen on
screen. Click OK when done.
Figure 4. Change display properties

3.2.4 Setup Span Layout
After the mainline is created, the span layout needs to be set up. Follow the instructions
below to set up the span layout.
Click Span Layout tab to pop the span layout parameter form on top. Enter the following
data into Station column and fill Angle column with 0. Each station entered represents a support
line in that position. A zero degree angle indicates that the support line has a right angle to the
mainline at the specified station.
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21767.5, 21874.25, 22054.25, 22254.25, 22454.25, 22654.25, 22854.25, 23054.25,
23254.25, 23434.25, 23590.58
Figure 5 shows the support data entered and the span layout.
Figure 5. Enter support information

3.2.5 Create Girders by Offsetting from Mainline
When the mainline and spans are defined, it is ready to generate the girders.
Click Girders tab to pop the girder parameter form on top. Double click Mainline Based.
The dialog box to create a girder, as shown in Figure 6, will open on screen.
Figure 6. Create a girder

Enter -14.0 in Offset from mainline and press Create to create the first girder.
Repeat the same procedures to create girders at offsets from the mainline of -8.75, 8.75 and
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14.0 respectively.
3.2.6 Place Diaphragms
The following procedures illustrate the placing of diaphragms, assuming that diaphragms
are placed around 20’ apart and are perpendicular to the tangent of the mainline where they are
placed. Before continuing with the following procedures, zoom the window to the appropriate area
of the girders, say the first span.
Right click over the graphics area to popup the context menu. Select Zoom Window to
zoom the drawing to the first span.
When the drawing is zoomed in, the key points may look too big. Follow the instructions
in Adjust Display Properties.
Select Diaphragms then Add Diaphragms from the main menu to add diaphragms. The
Add Diaphragms dialog box, as shown in Figure 7, will open.
Figure 7. Create diaphragms

Drop down Diaphragm type and select K Truss as the diaphragm type. Enter a section
number for diaphragms, 3, for example in Section ID.
Diaphragms in the first span have a space of 21.35. Enter the first support station 21767.5
in Start Station, 5 in Number and 21.35 in Space, respectively. Click Add to create 5
diaphragms starting at 21767.5 with a spacing of 21.35.
Diaphragms in spans 2 to 9 have an even space of 20. Enter 21874.25 in Start Station, 78
in Number, and 20 in Space, respectively. Diaphragms will dynamically be shown on screen
before Add is clicked. To double check the placement, right click over the graphics area to pop
up the menu and select Pan to move the window to the end of ninth span. Click Add to create 78
diaphragms starting at 21874.25 with a spacing of 20.
Create diaphragms in the last span by the following two steps, as not an even spacing
existed: 1) create 8 diaphragms starting at 23434.25 with a spacing of 19.5 and 2) create 1
diaphragm starting at 23590.58.
Click Close to close the dialog box.
Figure 8 shows the bridge model in full view.
H-7
Figure 8. The bridge model after diaphragms created
3.2.7 Export the bridge model to a DESCUS data input file
When the diaphragms are created, the bridge model is ready to export to a data file that is
fully compatible with DESCUS I/II. It should be noted that only data types 0101, 0102, 0103,
0501 (assumed sections), 0601, 0701 and 0801 will be generated in the data file. It is the user’s
responsibility to supply other types of data the analysis needs, such as section and load
information, to the data file.
Select Exchange/Export to DESCUS from the main menu to export to DESCUS data file.
The Export to DESCUS dialog box, as shown in Figure 9, will open.
Figure 9. Export to DESCUS

When exporting to DESCUS data file, only Project Data and Options can be modified.
Data in Supports, Girders and Diaphragms are generated from the bridge model. They are
read-only data.
Click Save to DESCUS Data File (for independent version only) to save the data to a data
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file which the DESCUS kernel program can read in. When the save command is issued, a common
file selection dialog will appear on the screen. Enter a new file name and click OK.
When finished, click Cancel to close the export dialog box.
3.2.8 Label Joints and Elements
In DESCUS, key points on girders (where geometry changes, section changes or
connectivity changes) are addressed by joint numbers in DESCUS, and diaphragms are also
assigned with numbers (element numbers).
After exporting to DESCUS data file, the joint and element numbers will automatically be
turned on. It can be turned on or off by check/uncheck Turn On Node Labels and Turn On
Element Labels in View menu. Figure 10 shows a portion of the model with both numbers on.
When cross check between the model and the data file is needed, joint and element
numbers are helpful.
Figure 10. Joint and element numbers
H-9
Chapter 4 Commands in Detail
Visual Des-Mesh is designed for building bridge models by both parametric describing and
graphical interaction. It provides data forms to enter bridge parameters such as mainline, support
girders and diaphragms. It provides graphics capabilities to dynamically show changes to bridge
model made by changes of parameters, and to edit model by graphics interactions.
The ‘interactive’ also implies that a bridge model can be modified after it is built. For
example, user can change the mainline parameters after diaphragms are placed; the model will
automatically be updated accordingly.
Building a bridge model includes: creating or modifying the mainline, girder, diaphragm
and support. In this chapter, an outline for building a bridge model and each command in detail
are given.
4.1 Outline for Building Bridge Model
4.1.1 Create/Open/Save/Close Project

When Visual Des-Mesh starts (as an independent version), an untitled brand new project is
created. Another new project can be created by select File/New command or click over .
To open an existing project, select File/Open or click over .
To save a project, select File/Save or click over .
To close a project, select File/Close.
Multiple projects can be opened at the same time. Each project has a separated window
and Visual Des-Mesh project file. Windows can be Cascaded or Tiled as shown in Figure 11.
Figure 11. Working with multiple Visual Des-Mesh projects

4.1.2 Create or Modify Mainline
The mainline is usually the road centerline in bridge design, while in Visual Des-Mesh, it is
a reference to build girders, diaphragms and supports. It is the basis of building a bridge model.
The geometry of mainline (and girders) is a compound of different curve segments. Curve
of each segment can be: 1) straight line, 2) arc and 3) spiral. The geometry is described by curve
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type, length and radius of each segment, the start station, tangent at start, and start point. These
parameters can be entered or edited in the Mainline form in the left of the window.
A mainline consists of a series of 2D Key Points, which control the position, curvature and
characteristic of the mainline. The two ends and points where geometry changes or has a support
line are Key Points. The Key Point on mainline has a special function to automatically assign
section changes to girders at that point when girders are created. Optionally, points on mainline
where girder section changes can be Key Points.
Key Points on mainline can be edited in the following ways:
1. Insert key points to control section changes;
2. Change section of any key point;
3. Move or Delete any key point that is not controlling geometry or support.
4.1.3 Layout Bridge Spans
Once the mainline has been created, the support locations can be defined based on the
mainline. The support is a line intersects with the mainline at a station and with an angle to the
tangent. Girders are assumed to be supported at intersections with all support lines. Each
support is described by a station number on mainline and an angle to mainline tangent. The
support parameters can be entered or edited in Span Layout form.
Two supports at least have to be defined to create a bridge model.
The mainline can exceed the range of a bridge. The extra will not be included the structure
model.
4.1.4 Create Girders
The girder is the basic element in a bridge model. Girders’ geometry can be obtained
from offsetting from mainline, or independently specified by a similar compound curves to
mainline. In most cases, parallel girders can simply be offset from the mainline as the lateral
space between girders is usually fixed along the mainline.
Like the mainline, a girder also consists of a series of 2D key points. However, their
functions are not exactly the same. Key Points on a girder controls geometry changes, support,
connectivity, sections changes, and mesh densities.
Key Points on a girder can be edited in the following ways:
1. Insert key points to control section changes or to force to create a new element in
DESCUS;
2. Change section of any key point;
3. Move or Delete any key point that is not controlling geometry, support or connectivity.
When a girder is created, Key Points are automatically inserted at support lines, where
mainline geometry changes and where section change is specified on mainline.
A portion of girder in between two adjacent key points is called a girder segment. The
section of a girder segment is the same as the left Key Point’s section number. For example, if
there are three adjacent key points along a girder, i, j and k, where i has the lowest station number
and k the highest, the section numbers for them are si, sj and sk. The girder segment from i to j has
a section number of si and the segment from j to k has a section number of sj.
4.1.5 Create Diaphragms
Diaphragms can be placed after girders are created. It can be placed at any station of the
mainline where there at least two girders exist. For a sharply skewed bridge, at the station around
the beginning or ending of the bridge, diaphragms can also be placed even if they do not connect
all girders of the bridge.
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A diaphragm consists of several diaphragm segments that connect only two adjacent
girders.
Diaphragms can be grouped or ungrouped. Grouped diaphragms are equally spaced along
mainline with the same diaphragm type and section. Grouped diaphragms are specified by a
starting station, number of diaphragms, spacing and angle to the mainline tangent. Ungrouped
diaphragms are diaphragms connecting girders at the same mainline station. Ungrouped
diaphragms are specified by two girders and locations on each girder, diaphragm type and section.
These two girders are not necessarily adjacent to each other. If so, diaphragms will connect all
girders including any girder in between the two girders specified.
Diaphragms can be edited in the following ways:
1. To delete/move or to change type and section;
2. To split into two grouped or ungrouped diaphragms.
4.1.6 Export to DESCUS Data Input File
After a bridge model is finished, it can be exported to a DESCUS data input file that has
input on data types of 0101, 0102, 0103, 0501 (assumed sections), 0601, 0701 and 0801. Some
minor modifications to the exported file, especially girder and diaphragm sections, are required
in order to run DESCUS I/II programs.
4.1.7 Import from DESCUS Data Input File
Bridge model (geometry and span layout) can also be imported from an existing DESCUS
data file. As no mainline information exists in the data file, a faked mainline will be created
from existing girder geometries.
4.1.8 Import Geometries from DXF File
Mainline, girders, support lines and diaphragms can also be imported from DXF file.
Geometry entities have to be grouped into different layers in order to be imported. The curve of
mainline and girders can be straight line, arc and smoothed LWPOLYLINE (a compound curve
consists of straight lines and arcs). Graphics entities for mainline and girders can be virtually
connected as on entity, or physically connected separated entities. If these entities are separated,
they will be automatically merged into one entity when they are imported.
4.2 Start Visual Des-Mesh

Double click Visual Des-Mesh icon on desktop to start the program. The main window, as
shown in Figure 2, will open.
4.3 Create/Open/Save/Close Project

When Visual Des-Mesh starts, an untitled brand new project is created. Another new
project can be created by selecting File/New command or click over .
To open an existing project, select File/Open or click over .
To save a project, select File/Save or click over .
To close a project, select File/Close.
Multiple projects can be opened at the same time. Each project has a separated window
and Visual Des-Mesh project file. Windows can be Cascaded or Tiled as shown in Figure 11.
When a project is saved for the first time, saved as a new project or to be opened, a
common file selection dialog box, as shown in Figure 12, will open.
H-12
Figure 12. File selection dialog box
4.4 Mainline
4.4.1 Compound Curve

Mainline and girder geometries are compound curves. A compound curve is smoothly
connected straight lines, arcs and spirals. Curve segments of a compound curve are ordered from
the start of the curve to the end of the curve. Each segment is defined by curve type, curve
length and radius (for arc and spiral segments). A negative radius makes the curve goes
counterclockwise. The curve is assumed to be smoothly connected, a curve segment is always
tangent to the end of its preceding segment. The start tangent of the first segment is the curve
tangent. Theoretically, two radii (the start radius and the end radius) are required to define a
spiral segment. However, the start radius is omitted for the smooth assumption. When a spiral
appears in the middle of the compound curve, the start radius is automatically defined by its
preceding curve segment. When a compound curve starts as a spiral, the start radius of the spiral
is assumed as infinite.
A spiral can go from counterclockwise (positive start radius) to clockwise (negative radius),
or vice visa.
A mainline compound curve has a start station. The end station of a mainline is the start
station plus the length of mainline. Locations on a mainline are addressed by mainline stations.
4.4.2 Key Points of Compound Curve
The two ends and points in the middle connecting two curve segments are Key Points of a
compound curve. Internally, a spiral segment is meshed into sub- arc segments (the mesh density
is 50 arc segments per 180 degree of spiral curve). Points connecting internal sub- arc segments
are also Key Points of compound curve. These Key Points are critical to control curve geometry,
Geometric Key Points are called hereafter.
A compound curve may have some other points that are not used to control geometry;
Non-Geometric Key Points are called hereafter.
Locations of Geometric Key Points cannot be moved. They are fully controlled by
compound curve parameters.
A mainline compound curve may have Support Key Points to define support lines and
Section Key Points to define section changes. Locations of Support Key Points cannot be moved,
since they are fully controlled by span layout. Only Section Key Points are free to move.
4.4.3 Create Mainline by Entering Compound Curve Parameters
Click Mainline tab in the data form area to popup the mainline data entry form as shown in
Figure 13.
H-13
Figure 13. Mainline data entry form
Follow instructions in section 3.2.2 to enter or edit data in the mainline form. Origin X
and Y specify the coordinates of the mainline start point, which is meaningless for a model created
by Visual Des-Mesh. Let them be zero as set by default. However, it shows the real start point
if the geometries are imported from DXF file. In that case, they are disabled for avoiding
overwritten.
4.4.4 Set and Change Mainline Symbologies
Mainline symbologies include line color, thickness and style, and Key Point size and color.
Mainline segments with different sections can be shown in different symbologies.
Select View/Options from the main menu to set and change mainline symbologies. The
display properties dialog box as shown in Figure 4 will open.
Drop down Style and select a point style to change the mainline (or girder) Key Point style.
Click Color to change Key Point color.
Enter a size in Size to change Key Point size.
Check/Uncheck Show to turn Key Points on/off.
To add symbologies for a new section number, click Mainline tab to make mainline
symbologies as the current. Click Section No. cell in row No. 2, enter the section for the new
symbology. Click cell in Symbology column, a dialog box, as shown in Figure 14, will open.
Figure 14. Select line symbology

Drop down Line Style to select the line style.
Enter width in Line Width and click Color to change line color.
Click OK to make the changes or click Cancel to discard the changes.
To add symbologies for new sections, click Section No. cell in any row and keep pressing
TAB until a new row is added at the end of grid form.
For any section that is not specified, the default symbologies will be used.
Enter a default within Mainline default width, click the line beside the edit box to change
the default color.
Figure 15 shows an example of mainline symbologies.
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Figure 15. Set and change mainline symbologies
4.4.5 Edit Mainline Geometry
Mainline geometry can only be edited by its compound curve parameters as shown in
Figure 13. Follow instructions in section 3.2.2 to edit mainline parameters.
Modifications to mainline geometry can be made at any stage during the building of a
model. All geometries derived from mainline will automatically and dynamically be updated
after the mainline is changed. Some geometry such as support lines and diaphragms may
automatically be skipped if mainline is shortened.
4.4.6 Add a non-Geometric Key Point to Mainline
If all girders change to the same section at the same location longitudinally (on the same
line perpendicular to mainline), a non-Geometric Key Point can be added to the mainline at that
location to simplify the section assignment to girders later.
Select Key Points/Add a Key Point to Mainline or Girder from the main menu or the
same command from the popup menu to add a key point to the mainline. Move cursor close to
the location on the mainline where a non-Geometric Key Point is to be added. Left click to
accept the location. The edit key point dialog box, as shown in Figure 16, will open.
Figure 16. Edit key point dialog box

The accurate location of the new Key Point can be specified by its station in Station, the
distance to its preceding Key Point in Distance to Lower KP, or the distance to its succeeding
Key Point in Distance to Higher KP.
Any Key Point can have an assigned section number (section changes at this key point), or
have no assigned section number (section does not change at this key point). When section
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changes at a Key Point, all segments after this Key Point will have the same section until a new
section change is explicitly specified.
To change the section at the location the new Key Point added, uncheck No change in the
right and enter a new section number in Higher Side Section. To keep the section the same as
defined by its closest preceding Key Point, check No Change in the right.
To change the section assignment defined by its closest preceding Key Point, check No
change or uncheck No change and enter the section number to the right. The closest preceding
Key Point, which changes section assignment, is not necessarily the one closest to it, the Key
Point at station 600 in Figure 16, for example, as the immediately preceded one, may not have a
section assigned.
Click OK to add the Key Point or click Cancel to cancel the command. After one Key
Point is added or command quits, the add Key Point will automatically start again so that the next
Key Point can be added. To quit the command cycle, right click over the graphics area. (When
add Key Point is in cycle, a tool tip will show up and follow the cursor.)
4.4.7 Change Key Point Section Assignment
Select Key Points/Change Key Point Section from the main menu or the same command
from the popup menu to change the Key Point section assignment. Move cursor close to the Key
Point where the section changes. Left click to accept the location. The same dialog box as
shown in Figure 16 with all station and distance edit boxes disabled will open.
Follow the instructions in previous section to change section assignments at this Key Point
or its closest preceding Key Point that changes section.
4.4.8 Move a non-Geometric Key Point and Change Section Assignment
Select Key Points/Move KP Location and Change KP Section from the main menu or
the same command from the popup menu to move a non-Geometric Key Point and change its
section assignment. Move cursor close to the Key Point and left click to accept the location.
The same dialog box as shown in Figure 16 will open. Follow the same instructions in Add a
non-Geometric Key Point to Mainline to move its location and change its section assignment.
Note: this command only accepts non-Geometric Key Point.
4.4.9 Delete a non-Geometric Key Point
Select Key Points/Delete Key Point from the main menu or the same command from the
popup menu to delete a non-Geometric Key Point. Move cursor close to the Key Point and left
click to accept the location. The key point selected will be dropped from the mainline if it is
allowed to be dropped. Note: A non-Geometric Key Point with section assignment cannot be
deleted. To drop a non-Geometric Key Point that has a section assignment, remove the
assignment first.
As to add Key Points, the command to change, move and delete Key Points will
automatically be cycled. To quit the cycle, right click over the graphics area. (When command
is in cycle, a tool tip will open and follow the cursor.)
4.5 Span Layout

Span layout defines the bridge support locations and angles of each support line. All
girders of a bridge are assumed to have a support at each intersection with each support line. The
first and the last support lines also define the range of the bridge. By default, a girder is confined
to that range when it is created. However, girders can go beyond the bridge range.
Span layout can only be defined after the mainline is created.
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Click Span Layout tab in the data form area to popup the span layout data entry form as
shown in Figure 17.
Figure 17. Span layout data entry form

The span layout of a bridge is defined by all support lines. A support line is defined by its
Station on mainline and Angle from the radial line of the mainline at that location. The unit of
Angle is degree. A positive value means the support line is skewed towards the higher station on
the mainline.
As shown in Figure 17, each support line takes one row in the data form. The edit of the
span layout form is similar to the mainline form. Please refer to section 3.2.2 for detailed
instructions.
The modification to span layout can be made anytime after it is entered. For example, the
span layout can be changed after the girders and diaphragms are created. All span layout
dependant geometry will automatically be updated after it is modified.
4.6 Girders
Girders of a bridge can be concentric or eccentric. Concentric girders have the same
radial distance at every station, or one is offset from another one. Eccentric girders have
independent geometry. Visual Des-Mesh provides two ways to create girders in terms of girder
geometry types:1) Mainline based and 2) Independent. Mainline based girders are assumed that
the girders geometry are concentric to the mainline, or offset from mainline. Independent girders
have separated geometry from mainline.
4.6.1 Create Mainline Based Girders
Select Girders/Create a Girder, a dialog box, as shown in Figure 18, will open.
Figure 18. Select girder geometry type

Click Yes to create a mainline based girder.
This command can also be started by double clicking the Mainline Based item in Girders
form as shown in Figure 19.
The dialog box to create a girder as shown in Figure 20 will open.
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Figure 19. Double click over Mainline Based to create a girder
Figure 20. Create mainline based girder dialog box

Girder ID is automatically assigned by computer and therefore is disabled. Enter girder
description in Description. Enter an offset value in Offset from mainline. Looking towards
the higher station end of the mainline, a positive offset is on the left side and negative on the right.
Click Create to create a girder offset from the mainline.
By default, and as required by DESCUS I/II, all girders end with two end support lines.
However, a girder can have separated supports at both ends. If so, check Free and enter a station
in Start station and/or in End station. If Free is not checked, the girder will stop at the first or
the last support lines. To be compatible with DESCUS I/II, leave these two check boxes
unchecked.
4.6.2 Create Independent Girders
Select Girders/Create a Girder, a dialog box, as shown in Figure 18, will open.
Click No to create an independent girder.
Figure 21. Create independent girder dialog box

This command can also be started by double clicking the Independent item in Girders
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form as shown in Figure 19.
The dialog box to create a girder as shown in Figure 21 will open.
Girder ID and Description have the same definitions as in the above section.
Distance to the mainline intersection, as shown in Figure 22, is the distance between the
intersections of the first support line and the mainline, and the girder, respectively. Angle from
mainline tangent to girder tangent defines the angle of the girder tangent at the first support line
based on the mainline tangent. The angle is in degree.
The Independent girder parameters have the same definitions as the mainline compound
curve parameters, except that the origin of a girder starts from the first support line.
Figure 22. Independent girder parameters

Figure 23 shows an example of mainline based and independent girders.
Figure 23. Mainline based and independent girders

4.6.3 Edit Girders
Girders parameters can be edited after being created. Select Girders/Edit a Girder to
edit a girder. When command starts, a tool tip will show up and follow the cursor. Move the
cursor over a girder and click to open the girder parameter dialog box.
The dialog boxes to edit girder parameters are the same as Figures 20 and 21 except the tile
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changes to ‘Modify a girder’ and the Create button changes to Modify.
When the command is started from the command menu, it will automatically be cycled.
To quit the cycle, right click over the graphics area.
Users can also directly edit a girder by double clicking over a girder name in the form area
as shown in Figure 24.
Figure 24. Edit or delete a girder from girders form

4.6.4 Delete Girders
Girders can be deleted after being created. Select Girders/Delete a Girder to delete a
girder. When command starts, a tool tip will show up and follow the cursor. Move the cursor
over a girder and click to delete a girder. A confirmation dialog followed will open.
When the command is started from the command menu, it will automatically be cycled.
To quit the cycle, right click over the graphics area.
Users can also directly delete a girder by double clicking over a girder name in the form
area as shown in Figure 24.
4.6.5 Edit Girders Key Points
As to edit the mainline Key Points, girders Key Points can also be edited. This includes to
Add a non-Geometric Key Point to Girder, Change Key Point Section Assignment, Move a
non-Geometric Key Point and Change Section Assignment, and Delete a non-Geometric Key
Point.
The girder Key Point has the same definition as the mainline Key Point except for the
differences listed in the following paragraph. Editing the girder Key Point is the same as to
mainline Key Points. Please follow instructions in sections 4.4.6-4.4.9 to edit girders Key
Points.
A girder Key Point and a mainline Key Point have the following differences:
1) Section assignment to a girder Key Point actually defines the section number of the
girder segments starting from the Key Point. Section assignment to a mainline Key Point only
defines the default girder section number at that station when girders are created later. Section
assignment of girder Key Points will be copied from the mainline when a girder is created.
When a girder is to be created, Key Points will be added to its intersections with all radial lines at
all mainline Key Points. The section number of a girder Key Point is copied from the Key Point
on the mainline at the same radial line. (Edit to mainline Key Points does not have an affect on
existing girders but on the girders to be created later.
2) For a non-Geometric Key Point of a girder, it cannot be moved or deleted if diaphragms
connect to girder at this point.
3) Extra Key Points can be added to girders to control mesh density.
4.6.6 Show Girder Segment Information
Information about a girder segment such as length, radius and sequence on a girder will be
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displayed in the status bar at the bottom of the screen and in a tool tip box following cursor
movements.
4.6.7 Set and Change Girder Symbologies
Following instructions in section 4.4.4 to set and change girder symbologies (click Girder
tab in Figure 4 to select girder symbologies.)
4.7 Diaphragms
Visual Des-Mesh can create diaphragms in two ways: 1) Grouped and 2) Ungrouped.
Grouped diaphragms are diaphragms placed on the mainline with equal spaces and equal
angles from the mainline tangent. Parameters to define a grouped diaphragm are diaphragm type,
start station on the mainline, number of diaphragms, space, diaphragm angle from the mainline
tangent and diaphragm section number. When a diaphragm in a grouped diaphragm is to be
created, it intersections with all girders as a line at a station with an angle from the mainline
tangent at that point to be connected as an entire diaphragm. A diaphragm connecting two
adjacent girders is a diaphragm segment. An entire diaphragm does not guarantee all girders are
connected. For example, diaphragms in end support areas may connect fewer girders in skewed
bridges.
Ungrouped diaphragms are diaphragms arbitrarily connecting two or more than two
adjacent girders. Parameters to define an ungrouped diaphragm are: diaphragm type, girders and
stations at two ends, and diaphragm section number. When an ungrouped diaphragm is to be
created, intersections with girders by a line connecting two end girders will be connected as an
ungrouped diaphragm.
4.7.1 Create Diaphragms Using Dialog Box
Select Diaphragms/Add Diaphragms to create diaphragms using interactive dialog box.
The dialog box to create diaphragms as shown in Figure 25 will open.
Figure 25. Dialog boxes to create diaphragms

Select Grouped or Ungrouped before entering other data.
Select a diaphragm type in Diaphragm type dropdown list and enter a section number in
Section ID for diaphragms to be created.
When creating grouped diaphragms, enter the start station on the mainline in Start Station.
The start station can also be picked on screen. To pick the start station, click Pick and left click
over a location on the mainline where to place the diaphragm.
Enter Number of diaphragms, Space between diaphragms and the Angle from the mainline
tangent.
Click Add to create diaphragms.
When creating ungrouped diaphragms, enter two end girders and locations in Left and
Right Girder IDs and Stations. End girder and location can also be picked by clicking Pick
to pick a location on mainline.
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Click Add to create diaphragms.
To quit the command, click Close.
Diaphragms will be dynamically shown up on their locations while parameters are entering.
But they will not be created until Add is clicked. If the command quits without Added, a
confirmation dialog box as shown in Figure 26 will open.
Figure 26. Confirm to save changes to diaphragms

To discard the most recently changes to diaphragms, click Yes. Click No, if otherwise.
Figure 27 shows an example of grouped and ungrouped diaphragms.
Figure 27. Grouped and ungrouped diaphragms

4.7.2 Create Diaphragms by Directly Enter Parameters
Diaphragms can also be created by directly entering diaphragm parameters in the data form
areas as shown in Figure 28.
Figure 28. Directly enter diaphragm parameters

4.7.3 Edit Diaphragms Using Dialog Box
Diaphragms can be edited after created.
Select Diaphragms/Edit Diaphragms and move the cursor over a diaphragm then left
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click to edit the diaphragms. The dialog boxes to edit diaphragms are shown in Figure 29 will
open.
Figure 29. Dialog boxes to edit diaphragms

Dialog boxes to edit diaphragms are similar to the create diaphragm dialog boxes as
showen in Figure 25.
Change parameters in Figure 29 to edit diaphragms. Changes will be saved immediately
after the cursor is moved away from a control, and diaphragms shown in the graphics area will be
updated dynamically.
Click Pick Diaphragm to pick another diaphragm to edit.
Click Close to quit command.
4.7.4 Edit Diaphragms by Directly Change Parameters
An edit to diaphragms can be made directly by changing parameters as shown in Figure 28.
When a cell is clicked in the Figure 28, diaphragms according to parameters in that row will be
highlighted in the graphics area indicating which diaphragms are currently selected.
4.7.5 Delete Diaphragms Using Dialog Box
Select Diaphragms/Delete Diaphragms and move the cursor over a diaphragm then left
click to delete the diaphragms. The dialog box to delete diaphragms as shown in Figure 30 will
open, if either a “grouped diaphragm” or an “ungrouped diaphragm with more than one diaphragm
segment” is clicked.
Figure 30. Delete diaphragms

If an ungrouped diaphragm which contains only a diaphragm segment is clicked, the
diaphragm will be deleted immediately and the dialog box as shown in Figure 30 will not open.
All diaphragm and diaphragm segments in a grouped diaphragm can be deleted entirely by
selecting Entire group; or only delete the entire diaphragm picked by selecting Entire
diaphragm (in that case, a grouped diaphragm may be split into two grouped diaphragms,) or
only delete the diaphragm segment picked by selecting A diaphragm segment (in that case, a
grouped diaphragm may be split into two grouped diaphragms and two ungrouped diaphragms).
When deleting an ungrouped diaphragm, the entire diaphragm (select Entire diaphragm)
or only the diaphragm segment (select A diaphragm segment) picked can be deleted. In the
case later, an ungrouped diaphragm may be split into two ungrouped diaphragms.
4.7.6 Delete Diaphragms by Directly Change Parameters
Diaphragms can also be deleted in Figure 28 by deleting a row in the data grid.
4.7.7 Show Diaphragm Information
Information about a diaphragm segment will be displayed in the status bar at the bottom of
screen and in a tool tip box following the cursor movements.
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4.7.8 Set and Change Diaphragm Symbologies
Following instructions in section 4.4.4 to set and change diaphragm symbologies (click
Diaphragm tab in Figure 4 to select diaphragm symbologies.)
4.8 Exchange
After a bridge model is created, it can be exported to a DESCUS data file that contains data
types 0101, 0102, 0103, 0501 (assumed sections), 0601, 0701 and 0801. Some minor
modifications or appending, especially girder and truss sections, are required to make it a
complete data input file to DESCUS I/II program.
Also, a bridge model can be imported from a DESCUS data file or DXF file. When
imported from a data file, girders curve geometry is reconstructed and a faked mainline is created
based on the available girder geometry. When imported from a DXF file, only geometry of
mainline, support lines, girders and diaphragms can be generated. The section information is left
blank.
4.8.1 Export to DESCUS
After a bridge model is complete, select Exchange/Export to DESCUS to generate a
DESCUS input data file. A dialog box, as shown in Figure 31, will open.
Figure 31. Export to DESCUS data file

Enter data in types 0101, 0102 and 0103 in Project Data and Options tab. This group of
data is additional to a bridge model and required merely for exporting to a DESCUS data file.
When it is changed, click Save Changes to save it to the model.
Currently, only Project Data and Options can be changed. Supports, Girders and
Diaphragms, as shown in Figures 32 to 34, are automatically generated from the bridge model.
These groups of data cannot be changed.
Data in Sections (Steel Plate Girders, Truss and Type 30-Computed Section Properties)
are currently empty and disabled. This data must be added to the DESCUS data file separately
after export.
Click Save to DESCUS Data File to write data into a DESCUS input file. Click Cancel
when complete.
H-24
Figure 32. Supports data to export
Figure 33. Girders data to export
Figure 34. Diaphragms data to export

4.8.2 Import from DESCUS
H-25
When importing a bridge model from a DESCUS data file, select Exchange/Import from
DESCUS. A file selection dialog box, as shown in Figure 35, will open. Select the data file
and click Open to import.
Figure 35. Import from DESCUS

In order to import a bridge model from a DESCUS data file, the model has to be emptied.
If any entity such as the mainline, supports, girders or diaphragms is already created, the
command to import from DESCUS will be disabled.
4.8.3 Import from DXF
When importing a bridge model from a DXF file, select Exchange/Import from DXF. A
file selection dialog box, as shown in Figure 36, will open. Select the DXF file and click Open
to import.
Figure 36. Import from DXF

In order to import a bridge model from a DXF file, the model has to be emptied. If any
entity such as the mainline, supports, girders or diaphragms is already created, the command to
import from DXF will be disabled.
Visual Des-Mesh requires that graphics entities in the DXF file are layered according to
different categories, i.e. all graphics for mainline, support lines, girders and diaphragms are in
separated layers. Unused graphic entities can be kept in the DXF file, but they have to be
separated from any layer that contains mainline, support line, girders and diaphragms. Entities
H-26
have to be in XY plane. Any two dimensional entity in a plane rather than XY will be filtered
out during import.
Legal graphic types for mainline are straight line, arc and smooth LWPOLYLINE. A
LWPOLYLINE is a string of connected straight lines and arcs. All entities for mainline can be
separated as more than one entity or connected as one. When it is imported, Visual Des-Mesh
will connect them into one if the mainline layer contains more than one entity. (Kinked separated
straight lines will not be connected.) It has to be ensured that only one entity exists after
connection and the connected entity is smooth.
Requirements for girder entities are the same as for mainline except that entities after
connection can be more than one.
The only legal graphic type for support lines and diaphragms is the straight line. Also,
Visual Des-Mesh will connect entities first. (Kinked separated straight lines will not be
connected. Two kinked straight lines connected in DXF will be treated as two entities after
connection.) The number of entities after connection can be one or more than one for the
diaphragm layers. Number of entities for support line, however, has to be more than one.
Layer that contains only one connected straight line cannot be the support layer.
A DXF file has to contain at least a legal mainline layer. Otherwise, no further entities can
be imported. Girders can only be imported if support lines are successfully imported, and
diaphragms if girders are succeeded. Only the mainline is required if imported from a DXF file,
others are optional.
Note: If the mainline in a bridge model is imported from DXF, its start tangent and origin
cannot be modified in Figure 13 in order to keep the geometry aligned with the bridge plan.
If a bridge plan is in DGN format, a DXF file should be saved first in Microstation in order
to be imported into Visual Des-Mesh.
After a DXF is opened to import, the Select Entity Layer dialog box as shown in Figure 37
will open. Layers in the DXF file are listed in the left column. Rows shown in the last cell as
green are legal Visual Des-Mesh layer. Click green cell in the last column to assign that layer to
Mainline, Support, Girders, or Diaphragms.
Figure 37. Assign layers

Valid Entities list the number of separated legal entities in a layer. Invalid Out-Of-Plane
Entities list the number of separated illegal entities that are not in XY plane. Invalid Unsupport
Entities list the number of entities that are not straight line, arc and LWPOLYLINE. Connected
Compound Entities list the number after connection. Not all categories can be selected in the
Assign To column. For example, Support will be excluded from Assign To in the row of
Mainline as it contains only one entity after connection.
After layer assignment is done, click OK to proceed. A dialog box as shown in Figure 38
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will open.
Figure 38. Change mainline order

Visual Des-Mesh needs to know which end the mainline starts from. Therefore the start
of girders and the order of supports can be derived further. Visual Des-Mesh will assume the
start point and end point first and then asks if the user wants to reverse it as shown in Figure 38.
Usually, it has to go back to the bridge plan to identify these two end points of mainline so that to
keep orders in Visual Des-Mesh the same as what engineers assumed.
After a DXF file is imported, only mainline, support lines, girders and diaphragms are
constructed in Visual Des-Mesh. They may look different from its DXF drawing as unused
entities are filtered or trimmed out. However, the geometry of mainline, supports, girders and
diaphragms are truly the same as DXF defined.
Figure 39 shows geometry in a DXF and Figure 40 shows the bridge model after import.
Figure 39. DXF drawing
H-28
Figure 40. Bridge model after import
H-29
Figure 38. Change mainline order
Visual Des-Mesh needs to know which end the mainline starts from. Therefore the start
of girders and the order of supports can be derived further. Visual Des-Mesh will assume the
start point and end point first and then asks if the user wants to reverse it as shown in Figure 38.
Usually, it has to go back to the bridge plan to identify these two end points of mainline so that to
keep orders in Visual Des-Mesh the same as what engineers assumed.
After a DXF file is imported, only mainline, support lines, girders and diaphragms are
constructed in Visual Des-Mesh. They may look different from its DXF drawing as unused
entities are filtered or trimmed out. However, the geometry of mainline, supports, girders and
diaphragms are truly the same as DXF defined.
Figure 39 shows geometry in a DXF and Figure 40 shows the bridge model after import.
Figure 39. DXF drawing
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Figure 40. Bridge model after import
H-31

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WIN - DESCUS I

DESIGN AND ANALYSIS

CURVED I-GIRDER BRIDGE SYSTEMS

Production Software, Inc.

1.0 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND CAPABILITIES ....................................................................................1-1

2.0 PROGRAM OPERATION...............................................................................................................................2-1

2.1 Using WIN-DESCUSI/II ......................................................................................................................2-1

3.0 INPUT FOR DESCUS I PREPROCESSOR...................................................................................................3-1

3.1 System Input .........................................................................................................................................3-1

4.0 OUTPUT ............................................................................................................................................................4-1

4.1 Verification of Input..............................................................................................................................4-1

5.1 Structural Model ...................................................................................................................................5-1

6.0 REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................................................6-1

APPENDIX A: DESCUS I EXAMPLE PROBLEM ......................................................................................A-1

B.1 Distribution Factor Utility Program (DF) ........................................................................... B-1.1

APPENDIX C: Summary of DESCUS-I Updates to 2003 New Specifications……………………………..C-1

TABLE 1.1 Summary of System Features .................................................................................................1-3

PSI shall not be liable for any special or consequential damages.

1.0 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND CAPABILITIES

Visual Des-Mesh Windows GUI application utility that provides the

Bridge Types Allowed Simple or Continuous Straight, Homogeneous or Hybrid

Support/Construction Types Allowed Simple, Continuous, Elastic, Skewed, Composite,

Unit Systems Supported English

Steel Section Types Homogeneous or Hybrid Plate Girder

Girder Types Allowed Straight, Curved, Kinked

Live Load Maximum obtained for: AASHTO Lane Loading

User Input Options Modular Ratios

Output Options Basic

TABLE 1.1 — SUMMARY OF SYSTEM FEATURES

No. ITEM AND DESCRIPTION

1.11 Hinges may be positioned anywhere on girders;

1.19 Either English or SI Units can be chosen.

1.21 Staging analysis is allowed.

TABLE 1.2 — SUMMARY OF SYSTEM LIMITATIONS

No. ITEM AND DESCRIPTION

2.1 Maximum number of spans = 13

2.2 Maximum number of girders = 16

2.3 Maximum number of unique sections = 300

2.4 Maximum number of joints = 900

2.5 Maximum number of diaphragms = 1000

2.6 Maximum number of slab and wearing surface depths = 1

2.7 Maximum number of haunch depths and widths = 1

2.8 Maximum number of overhang widths = 2

2.9 Maximum number of sidewalk widths = 2

2.10 Maximum number of girder members = 900

2.11 Maximum number of joints/girders* = 200

2.12 Maximum number of joints/spans/girders* = 200

2.13 Maximum number of supports = 12

2.14 Maximum number of detail factors = 1

2.17 Program can process up to 9 non-AASHTO trucks;

2.0 PROGRAM OPERATION

2.1.1 BEFORE YOU BEGIN . . .

1. Are you familiar with the PC or microcomputer you are using?

Section 2.2 Input Utility Section 2.3 Run Utility

2.1.2 ACCESSING THE MAIN MENU

2.1.3 THE WIN-DESCUS MAIN MENU

2.2 INPUT UTILITY

SAVE and SAVE AS

USING THE KEYBOARD WITH INPUT SCREENS

To delete input data in a cell, use BACKSPACE.

To move the cursor within the text in a cell:

OPENING INPUT SCREENS

EDITING DATA FIELDS

OPENING INPUT SCREENS USING THE INPUT SCREEN INDEX