Final Design Software

FINAL BRIDGE DESIGN SOFTWARE

Disclaimer: This software and other files are intended for use by consultants working for the Bridges and Structures Bureau in their development of projects for the Iowa Department of Transportation. Any other use is at the sole discretion of the user. The Iowa Department of Transportation makes the software and other files available "AS IS" and assumes no liability nor makes any warranty of any kind, including warranties of non-infringement, fitness or merchant ability whether expressed or implied, to the accuracy or functionality of these files. By downloading any files, you are agreeing to this disclaimer.

The Bridges and Structures Bureau will only support those persons using these files in connection with Iowa Department of Transportation related business.

Excel Macros

In order to use most of the spreadsheets, enable macros. Learn more on Microsoft's website.

Iowa DOT Bridge Tools

This pane is still being developed and tested. Please do not use at this time.

Iowa DOT Bridge Tools is an Excel Add-in that provides access to various Iowa DOT Design Applications. Once installed, a tab titled Iowa DOT will appear on the Excel ribbon each time Excel is opened. The ribbon tab displays button groups that identify the currently available design applications offered in the add-in.

The distribution of the Add-in is being done through the Windows Installer package linked below.

Iowa DOT Bridge Tools Installation Package (05/24)

Download the zipped installation package file. Then extract the files and execute the setup.exe file to install the Excel add-in.

The tools included in the Iowa DOT Bridge Tools are shown below in the image of the button groups.

Button Groups in Ribbon

The Open Workbook tool provides access to other applications available on our website for superstructure and substructrue design. A fraction formatter Add-in is also available to download..
Masterworks Program Overview is accessed through the tool button group.
Staking Diagram Program Guide is accessed through the tool button group. A template and case studies are available.

If you need assistance with the use of these tools, please contact James Denny.

LEAP Bridge Concrete - Configuration Files and Beam Design Output Files

The configuration files related to the April 2024 released Beam Standards are provided for LEAP Bridge Concrete.

LEAP Configuration Instructions

LEAP Configuration Files 10/24

The OpenBridge Designer file and output files are provided by beam series.

A Beams OBD File and LEAP Output 06/24

B Beams OBD File and LEAP Output 06/24

C Beams OBD File and LEAP Output 06/24

D Beams OBD File and LEAP Output

BTB Beams OBD File and LEAP Output

BTC Beams OBD File and LEAP Output

BTD Beams OBD File and LEAP Output 10/24

BTE Beams OBD File and LEAP Output 10/24

CIP Reinforced Concrete Box Culvert Program

Software written under Iowa Highway Research Board Project TR-620, Update of RCB Culvert Standards to LRFD Specifications.

CulvertCalc 3.1 Installation Files (3.9 MB) 03/18/21

Reinforcing Development Spreadsheet 01/30/18

Steel Girder Design Mathcad® Sheets

Attention Internet Explorer users: In order to download Mathcad files, right click on the link and choose "Save target as." If the file extension is shown as XML, be sure to change it to XMCD.

These Mathcad sheets may be used for various portions of AASHTO LRFD steel I-girder design.

Bearing Stiffener

Field Splice 12/19/14

Intermediate Stiffener Size

Negative Resistance

Plastic Moment-Negative

Plastic Moment-Positive

Positive Moment Constructibility

Positive Resistance

Shear Connectors

Shear Resistance-End Panel

Shear Resistance-Interior Panel

T-Pier Example using RC-Pier®

These files consist of RC-Pier example input files and documentation on the use of RC-Pier for a typical LRFD T-Pier design..

RC Pier Column

RC Pier Footing

Jefferson Example Documentation (14 MB)

Frame Pier Example using RC-Pier®

These files consist of RC-Pier example input files and documentation on the use of RC-Pier for a typical LRFD frame pier design.

RC Pier Column (20 MB)

RC Pier Footing (36 MB)

Superstructure Applications

These spreadsheets allow the user to determine top of slab elevations (CCS, CWPG, PPCB), beam line haunch elevations (CWPG, PPCB) and haunches (PPCB) for straight, constant width bridges.

Bridge Deck Grade Adjustment Spreadsheet 06/06/20
PCC Beam Data Spreadsheet 11/23/15
Elevations and Haunches for PPCB 06/06/20
Elevations for CCS 11/06/14
Elevations for CWPG 11/06/14
Quick Elevations for PG

The PPCB fabricator data spreadsheet is a form to collect prestressed beam camber data from fabricators.

PPCB camber 04/23/18

The bridge deck drain spreadsheet may be used to assist the designer in locating deck drains. The Bridge Design Manual shall be consulted for deck drain policy requirements.

Deck drains 10/27/15

This spreadsheet was developed to aid the design of typical strip seal expansion joints. The Bridge Design Manual shall be consulted for the most up-to-date policies.

Strip Seal Expansion Joints 07/07/18

This spreadsheet was developed to provide LRFD Live Load Distribution Factors for Beam-Slab Bridges.

Live Load Distribution Factors 07/06/18

This application assists with design of traditional concrete decks on prestressed or steel beams (Aashto Lrfd 2.5.2.4, 3.6.1.3.3, 4.6.2.1, 9, A13.4).

Deck on Beam Design 08/27/23

This application determines MASH single slope rail capacity.

MASH Barrier Single Slope Design 08/04/23

This application assists with design of typical Iowa DOT pretensioned prestressed concrete beams.

PPCB Analysis Spreadsheet 11/09/24

Substructure Applications

Some of these spreadsheets allow the user to determine typical pier loads based on the AASHTO LRFD code for use with the RC-Pier software. Some spreadsheets may be used in the LRFD design of typical pier caps, pile footings, and steel laminated elastomeric bearings.