Bridgeworks

The user-friendly GUI also handles analysis and results, allowing alternative models to be examined quickly and efficiently Developed to meet the needs of bridge and foundation engineers, the four programs below are based on tried and tested analysis and design programs for beam, column and pile groups.

BRIDGE ENGINEERING (to BS 5400)

PC-PREBEM

Llatest release Version 4.40a, November 2005
Design or check pre-tensioned, pre-stressed concrete beams forming part of a bridge deck

PC-COLDES

Latest release Version 3.21a, November 2005
Analyse or design reinforced concrete columns subject to bi-axial bending and axial loading

FOUNDATIONS & GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

PC-MPILE

Latest release Version 1.50a, November 2005
Design or analyse pile groups under general three-dimensional loading conditions, using an empirically-based method verified by laboratory and in situ field testing

PC-PGROUP

Latest release Version 3.20, September 2000
Analyse pile groups under three-dimensional loading conditions. Fulfils essentially the same function as PC-MPILE but using a more rigorous boundary element method of analysis.

A screen shot from the softwareThese four programs were originally designed by the Department of Transport (DTp) to run on mini or mainframe computers. Released in 1985, all have DTp calibration listed in Departmental Standard BD 6/81 and became widely accepted in the construction industry. In 1990, responsibility for the programs was passed to the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL).

Mott MacDonald has the sole world-wide agency agreement with the TRL for marketing, maintenance, development and support of the four programs. We converted the programs to run on IBM or compatible PCs and, except for PC-PGroup, have added a graphical user interface for data input and verification.

All the programs were originally designed to be run on pre-Windows IBM-compatible PCs operating in MS-DOS with minimum 640Kb of RAM. The latest versions are now in 32-bit code to ensure compatibility with the latest operating systems and hardware.

These are not Windows applications, but all will run in a DOS-shell under Windows 3.1, Windows 95 & 98, Windows NT/ 2000 and Windows XP, retaining full network connectivity.

A screen shot from the softwareThe programs are distributed on an installation CD and are installed using a Windows installer. A full set of PDF-format user manuals is also provided on the CD.

They may be installed and run as stand-alone or networked applications. All the programs are copy protected by hardware lock ('dongle') and are licensed on a single-user basis.

Output of plots and calculation results may be sent to a variety of local or networked printers.

Our maintenance and support service covers:

• eight hour telephone helpline service on the usage of the program
• help on installation or transfer of software
• supply of any upgrades or enhancements at a discount on list prices
• free provision of fault corrections to the program

Key benefits

• PC-Coldes, PC-Prebem and PC-MPile use colour graphics in a menu-driven graphical user interface (GUI) for data input
• A logical sequence of input screens guides the user through all data requirements including model geometry, material properties and loading
• Data is checked for validity as it is entered, and each GUI screen offers context-sensitive help
• The user-friendly GUI also handles analysis and results, allowing alternative models to be examined quickly and efficiently
• Section or plan, and related data and results, can be reproduced graphically on a variety of printers