Week 4-WPBD

For the first time, I am introduced to West Point Bridge Designer to design a truss bridge. This software is helpful in terms of creating a structural model of a bridge, identifying any inadequate strength, and estimating the cost. The realistic feature about this software is that it identifies the components and costs of the bridge. The load test helps to identify members with insufficient strength, which allowed me to make any necessary changes. One other compliment on this software is that it automatically does all of the calculations—tensile strength, compressive strength, loads, reactions, and member forces. On the other side, this software is not so realistic because it does not take under consideration of all the outside forces, such as wind, amount of carload, earthquake, etc. This program is only limited to one type of load crossing over the bridge one at a time. Also, the program only includes the cost of the location and the components, whereas in reality, labor and time is actually one of the biggest components in a bridge building project. Therefore, the bridge designs done on this software would not be serviceable because none of the outside forces/costs are taken into account. The main purpose of this software is to give engineers a fundamental understanding of how a bridge design works. In reality, more calculations and more advanced software would be used to ensure the strengths and endurance of a bridge.