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Software Release History for Version 15

Index | Version 15.2 | Version 15.1 | Version 15.0


New Facilities and Improvements in LUSAS Version 15.2

Release history

V15.2-4 - made available on 27 October 2016

This release is an error fix release for the following Change Requests:

  • Multi-linear joint error - THE MULTILINEAR CURVE FOR MATERIAL # FREEDOM # HAS A VERTICAL SEGMENT (RDPRPS PROCESSOR) - due to tabulation error (CR 19294)  
  • The shrinkage computation for Concrete Creep Model Eurocode 2 is incorrect for members with nominal member size ratios of between 1.0 > hr <= 5 (CR 20586)  
  • Analysis will not converge after a nonlinear concrete material is replaced with a temperature dependent material table with the same constant properties (CR 20678)

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V15.2-3 - made available on 2 August 2016

This release is an error fix release that also contains which also contains two specific enhancements: 

  • New Zealand Transport Agency precast beams are now provided in the standard section library. 
  • New Zealand SP/M/022 3rd edition Amendment 2 has been added to the Traffic Load Optimisation facility.

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V15.2-2 - made available on 25 May 2016

This release is an error fix release.


V15.2-1 - made available on 16 February 2016

This release contains the following enhancements:

LUSAS Traffic Load Optimisation - new design codes added

LUSAS Traffic Load Optimisation - speed-up

For design codes that employ a carriageway division strategy such that a remaining area could result - and this includes Eurocode EN1992-1 and AASHTO (both Standard specifications and LRFD) - the time taken to perform a LUSAS Traffic Load Optimisation analysis has been reduced. See LUSAS Traffic Load Optimisation - speed-up.


LUSAS Traffic Load Optimisation - new design codes added

Australia 5100-7:2004 (Austroads) loading

LUSAS now performs traffic load optimisation to Australian Standard AS5100.7-2004, Bridge design, Part 7: Rating of existing bridges, Clause A2.2. This facility adds to the Australian traffic loading facilities to AS5100-2, which is for design of new structures, which were released in v15.0.

AS5100.7-2004 Article A2.2 essentially reproduces the 1992 AUSTROADS Code which has been available in previous versions of LUSAS. The new implementation removes several limitations, notably allowing any carriageway alignment (not restricted to straights and arcs), allowing use on 2D beam models and with quadratic order elements, and removing all restrictions on coordinates of the model. The new implementation also allows access to a "Summary results" table for traffic loading, which gives a resume of peak load effects without requiring either the explicit definition of load patterns within the model, or a subsequent static analysis. It is also considerably faster to optimise traffic loads than the previous Austroads implementation.


United Kingdom - BA34/90 loading

LUSAS Traffic Load Optimisation now supports UK standard BA34/90. The upgrade comes together with the upgrade of traffic load optimisation facilities for UK assessment code BD21/01 and in tandem with the launch of facilities for BD86/11.

Existing UK highway bridges which are assessed as adequate to carry the 40t loading of BD21/01 may then be assessed for their capacity with respect to Special Types General Order (STGO) vehicles, as per BD21/01 clause 5.12. The current Code of Practice relating to assessment for STGO and SO vehicles is BD86/11, however, prior to 2001 STGO ratings were assessed using HB vehicles to BA34/90 and BA34/90 is still used by some highway authorities for comparison to previous assessments or other purposes.

The new facility allows determination of peak load effects caused by the most onerous arrangements of traffic loads according to BA34/90 (with reference to BD21/01 and BD37/01 as appropriate). Critical traffic load patterns can be also be visualised and combined with other structural loads. In common with the implementation of traffic loading to BD86/11, the facility provides flexibility appropriate to traffic restrictions which the highway authority might impose in order to ensure the safe transit of exceptional vehicles.


United Kingdom - BD21/01 loading

LUSAS Traffic Load Optimisation now supports UK standard BD21/01 (section 5). The upgrade comes together with the launch of traffic load optimisation facilities for UK assessment codes BA34/90 and BD86/11.

The BD21/01 upgrade includes a new dialog, designed to make it easier for engineers to assess the significance of the selected traffic flow and road surfacing categories in determining the acceptable Load Level. It also removes several limitations of the previous version, notably allowing any carriageway alignment (not restricted to straights and arcs), allowing use on 2D beam models and with quadratic order elements, and removing all restrictions on coordinates of the model. In addition, the new implementation of BD21/01 allows access to a "Summary results" table for traffic loading, which gives a resume of peak load effects without requiring either the explicit definition of load patterns within the model, or a subsequent static analysis. It is also considerably faster to optimise traffic loads than the previous implementation.


United Kingdom - BD86/11 loading

LUSAS Traffic Load Optimisation now supports UK standard BD86/11. The upgrade comes together with the upgrade of traffic load optimisation facilities for UK assessment code BD21/01 and in tandem with the launch of facilities for BA34/90.

Existing UK highway bridges which are assessed as adequate to carry the 40t loading of BD21/01 are deemed, in BD86/11 clause 1.3.1, adequate for vehicles complying with The Road Vehicles Construction and Use (C&U) Regulations and Authorised Weight (AW) Regulations. Bridges which have some spare capacity under BD21/01 may therefore be assessed for adequacy to carry one (or both) of the following:

  • Vehicles complying with The Road Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) General Order (STGO) Regulations (see BD21/01 clause 5.12). Five SV load models simulate the effects of real STGO vehicles as per BD86/11 clause 3.10

  • Special Order (SO) Vehicles. Four SOV load models simulate the effects of real SO vehicles within limits set out in BD86/11 clause 3.12, Table 3.1.

The new facility allows determination of peak load effects caused by the most onerous arrangements of traffic loads according to BD86/11 (with reference to BD21/01 for accompanying Assessment Live Loading as appropriate). Critical traffic load patterns can also be visualised and combined with other structural loads.  

As per clause 1.5(ii), the facility provides flexibility to modify the Overload Factor, Dynamic Amplification Factor and the associated Type HA Loading which may appear in the same lane as any exceptional vehicle or in other lanes on the bridge - corresponding to the highway authority's possible use of traffic restrictions to ensure the safe transit of exceptional vehicles, imposition of a speed limit for the exceptional vehicle etc.


United States of America AASHTO Standard Specifications (17th Edition)

LUSAS Traffic Load Optimisation now supports AASHTO Standard Specification (17th Edition). When the country 'United States of America' and the Design code 'AASHTO Standard Specifications 17th Ed', is selected on the main Vehicle Load Optimisation dialog, road traffic loading data and parameters can be specified with reference to AASHTO Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges, 17th Edition, 2002

A number of US State Bridge Design Manuals' implementations can also be selected.


Implementation of AASHTO LRFD (7th Edition) for Pennsylvania

LUSAS Traffic Load Optimisation now supports AASHTO LRFD (7th Edition) as interpreted by the PennDOT Design Manual - Part 4, May 2012, with implementation notes as shown below:

  • Combinations Strength IP, Extreme III, Extreme IV, Service I (with PL), Service IIB, Service III (with PL), Service IIIA and Service IIIB are included as per PennDOT Design Manual Part 4 Part B clause 3.4
  • The design tandem’s axles are increased to 31.25kips as per PennDOT Design Manual Part 4 Part B clause 3.6.1.2.3
  • The P-82 permit load as per PennDOT Design Manual Part 4 Part B clause 3.6.1.2.7P is included in combinations Strength II, Extreme III, Extreme IV, Service IIB, Service IIIA and Service IIIB. It is available in one lane with PHL-93 in other lanes if “Include associated notional design load (as above) in other lanes” is checked, or in every lane if the option is unchecked. The P-82 permit load has its own dynamic load allowance setting on the Advanced settings dialog
  • An option is included for “Truck loading on continuous spans” with gives the option of “100% (for moments)” or “90% (for reactions)”. This option only affects the pair of design trucks; if a single truck is more onerous it will always be at 100%. The pair of tandems is similarly unaffected. NB Loading for continuous spans is only applicable if the “Alternative load pattern” option is selected, per influence, on the influence selection dialog

LUSAS Traffic Load Optimisation - speed-up

For design codes that employ a carriageway division strategy such that a remaining area could result - and this includes Eurocode EN1992-1 and AASHTO (both Standard specifications and LRFD) - the time taken to perform a LUSAS Traffic Load Optimisation analysis has been reduced. The speed-up takes advantage of the fact that the transverse position of some lanes will be the same across all the deck lane arrangements (of two or more lanes). Results are cached for the lanes and reused, when necessary, across the deck lane arrangements.


User manuals

Relevant online and printed documentation has been updated for this release. Manuals are provided in PDF format as part of any V15 software download file or on the V15 software DVD.


Worked examples manuals

Relevant Application Manual (Bridge, Civil & Structural) worked examples have been updated for this release. Manuals of Worked Examples are provided in PDF format as part of the LUSAS software download file or release DVD.


Potential issues opening PDF files referenced in CHM files

On some PCs, and for certain operating systems, the installation of security updates as released by Microsoft can affect the opening of PDF files from the table of contents panel within the CHM file-based help system. Any links to PDF files from within help topic pages may similarly be affected. If problems are found when attempting to open these files from within the online CHM file supplied please note the following:

  • All manuals are supplied in PDF format on the installation kit and these are normally installed into the <LUSAS Installation Folder>/Programs/PDF_Manuals folder.
  • Workarounds/solutions may be provided by Microsoft during the availability and support of this particular LUSAS software release.

Retired elements, material models and facilities

  • None.

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