BRASS Updates

BRASS-GIRDER™:  Version 7.0.2 - Beta 1

The Wyoming Department of Transportation is pleased to announce the release of the new Beta test version of BRASS-GIRDER™. This program has a completely new and powerful dynamic user interface, and has merged the engines from the BRASS-GIRDER(LRFD)™ and BRASS-GIRDER(STD)™ programs.

Work continues on this project. The steel girder module (composite and non-composite) and the precast (prestressed/post-tensioned) concrete girder module (composite and non-composite) have been released as a Beta version. We have not received any user feedback so we assume all is going well. Please let us know how it is working for you. Our current efforts for this program are focused on the reinforced concrete girder module.

BRASS ™ Users

Currently, BRASS™ is used by 40 state departments of transportation (including 14 AASHTOWareTM Virtis® and Opis® user states), 139 consulting firms, 16 FHWA offices, 25 Army Corps of Engineers offices, one USDA Forest Service office, four city DOTs (including Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Denver), 14 county DOTs and four universities. BRASS™ is also used by the Puerto Rico DOT, Manitoba Provincial DOT, United Arab Emirates and Trinidad/Tobago. 

Current BRASS ™ Release Versions

BRASS-GIRDER ™ : Version 7.0.2 - Beta 1  March 2012

This program is current with the AASHTO Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges, 17th Edition, 2002 and the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, Fifth Edition, 2010, with 2010 interims. The Load Factor Rating module is current with the AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation, Second Edition, 2011.  The Load and Resistance Factor Rating module is current with the AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evalutaion, Second Edition, 2011.

BRASS-GIRDER(LFRD)™ : Version 2.1.2  March 2012

This program is current to the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, Fifth Edition, 2010, with 2010 Interims.  Rating computations are current with the AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation, 2nd Edition, 2011.

B RASS-GIRDER(STD) : Version 6.1.2  March 2012

The Load Factor Design Component is current to AASHTO Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges, 17th Edition, 2002 and the AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation, Second Edition, 2011. The working stress resistance and ratings were held at the AASHTO 1983 specifications with 1989 interims and the AASHTO Manual for Maintenance Inspection of Bridges, 1983 (allowable operating stress for concrete shear uses the AASHTO Manual for Maintenance Inspection of Bridges, 1978).

BRASS-PIER(LRFD) ™ : Version 2.1.2  February 2012

This program is current to the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, Fifth Edition, 2010, with 2010 interims.

BRASS-PIER™ : Version 3.6.4  March 2012

This program is current to the AASHTO Specifications for Highway Bridges, 17th Edition, 2002.

BRASS-SPLICE™ : Version 4.0.2  February 2012

This program designs splices using the Ultimate Strength Analysis (LFD) portions of the AASHTO Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges, 17th Edition, 2002, the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, Third Edition, 2004 with 2005 and 2006 Interim Revisions, and Wyoming Department of Transportation Bridge Program design practice.

BRASS-DIST ™ : Version 2.1.2  March 2012

The Ultimate Strength Analysis (LFD) portions of this program are current with the AASHTO Specifications for Highway Bridges, 17th Edition, 2002.

BRASS-CULVERT ™ : Version 2.3.3 March 2012

This program is current to the AASHTO Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges, 17th Edition,  2002, the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, Fifth Edition, 2010 with 2010 Interims, and the AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation, 1st Edition, 2008.

BRASS-TRUSS ™ : Version 2.1.2  March 2012

The Working Stress Analysis (WSD) portions of this program is current with the AASHTO Specifications for Highway Bridges, 16th Edition, 1966, with Interims.

BRASS-POLE ™ : Version 4.0.2  February 2012

This program is current with the AASHTO Standard Specifications for Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaries and Traffic Signals, 5th Edition, 2009. Where feasible, the program uses the more exact method of solution as mentioned in the specifications for computer solution.

BRASS-PAD ™ : Version 3.0.2 March 2012

This program is current to the AASHTO Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges, 17th Edition, 2002 and the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Secifications, Fifth Edition, 2010 with 2010 interims.

Web Page

The BRASS™ Web page has been developed to provide BRASS users information on updates including beta-test versions, post release notes and installation instructions, and provide a forum for news and information including "frequently asked questions" (FAQs).