Project
The EUR 27 million project required LCW Consult (LCW) to design a pre-stressed, concrete cantilever bridge between Lisboa and Coimbra, with a 250-meter main span at 140 meters above the riverbed, to ensure transparency of the Ceira Valley. To accommodate the large main bridge span, optimize aerodynamics, and ensure geometry control using balanced cantilever construction, LCW needed integrated bridge design and analysis software.
Solution
LCW used Bentley PowerCivil and RM Bridge to study seven different structural options to determine the most efficient design and construction solution. Bentley software helped to facilitate communication among the teams and enabled LCW to model and evaluate aerodynamic conditions and geometrical shape to reduce unforeseen adjustments during construction and to ensure optimal structural performance of the bridge.
Outcome
The modeling and analysis capabilities of RM Bridge allowed LCW to study different structural scenarios and determine the most efficient solution in terms of cost, risk, and safety of the project. Using RM Bridge resulted in a 25 percent reduction in design time compared to conventional spreadsheet analysis. Integrating Bentley software improved team collaboration and reduced engineering hours, yielding a cost savings of approximately EUR 52,000. In addition, the RM Bridge code library enabled the team to easily comply with Eurocodes.
Software
LCW used Bentley engineering software for design, analytical, and construction modeling to optimize aerodynamics and ensure geometry control for the large main span bridge to be built by the cantilever method. Integrating PowerCivil and RM Bridge facilitated collaboration between the engineering office and the field, increasing the precision of geometry modeled to reduce unforeseen adjustments during construction. The flexibility and interoperability of Bentley software ensured optimal structural design and performance for the EUR 27 million bridge project.