BridgeModeler and LARS are companion solutions for bridge load-rating calculation, analysis, and analytical modeling for existing and planned bridges. The software interoperates seamlessly to handle the most common bridge types—single or continuous span. BridgeModeler provides a full toolset for easy graphical modeling and analysis of bridge load ratings. LARS is a load-analysis engine that calculates and analyzes load rates.
Using a Broad Array of Bridge Data
BridgeModeler and LARS—used together or separately—deliver broad industry compatibility and fit well with the overall bridge maintenance workflow. Both applications conform to the latest AASHTO Bridge Specifications and directly utilize complete bridge data from the AASHTOWare® Virtis® data stored in the AASHTOWare® BRIDGEWareTM database. What’s more, they readily work with AASHTO BARS files, extending the usefulness of legacy bridge data.
BridgeModeler Graphical Modeling and Analysis Tools
BridgeModeler is used to model the most common bridge types. It provides an easy-to-use graphical interface that enables bridge engineers to quickly and efficiently enter all bridge data needed to perform a load-rating analysis. Graphical tools display a range of analysis results: moment and shear envelopes, available capacity for live load, actual live load plus impact, dead load, and superimposed dead load. The software displays influence lines for moment and shear at any checkpoint along the structure. Through the use of a reporting facility, numerous reports can be generated, at the engineer’s discretion, to provide tabular and detail results at any location within the member.
BridgeModeler is 100 percent compatible with AASHTOWare BARS-format data. Bridges in the BARS format can be directly imported into BridgeModeler. Using the BridgeKey Connector, users can directly import bridges from the AASHTOWare Virtis BRIDGEWare database into BridgeModeler. The import process includes both the structure definition and the applied loads.
LARS – Load Analysis and Rating System
LARS is a proven load-rating engine that can be used stand alone using text-based input or in concert with BridgeModeler graphical modeling and analysis. In stand-alone mode, users access the LARS engine via a simple dialog user interface. It includes a simple text editor designed specifically for use with LARS input data. Running LARS in stand-alone mode, users can open and directly work with run either native LARS input files or AASHTO BARS files. In stand-alone mode, LARS uses the same report generator as BridgeModeler for a review of the results.
Additionally, LARS has been approved by AASHTO to be an analysis engine running within AASHTOWare Virtis.
Direct Integration with Routing and Permitting
For oversize/overweight routing and permitting, bridges analyzed with LARS and BridgeModeler can be used directly by Bentley SUPERLOAD’s live-load bridge-analysis process.