The software automatically calculates the influence lines and surfaces to find the "worst-case" positioning for every element in the bridge. 4. Analysis and Staged Construction
: Detailed documentation on the algorithms, assumptions, and coordinate systems used by the SAPFire Analysis Engine . csi bridge user manual
CSI Bridge integrates analysis with design checks. The output is not just forces and displacements, but pass/fail ratios based on design codes. CSI Bridge integrates analysis with design checks
CSI Bridge shares a kernel with SAP2000 and ETABS. Consequently, the manual sometimes uses terminology or concepts inherited from general structural analysis (like "frame objects" or "shell elements") that bridge engineers might not use daily. The transition between "Bridge Object" terminology and underlying "Finite Element" terminology is not always seamless in the documentation, leading to confusion regarding how the software is actually meshing the deck. csi bridge user manual
The manual details several core functionalities designed for complex engineering: