Autodesk Structural Bridge Design
Structural Bridge Design is a specialized software solution for bridge engineers to perform integrated loading, analysis, and code checking of small- to medium-span bridges. It streamlines the bridge design process, from conceptual design through detailed analysis and verification, within a single interface.
Integrated Bridge Analysis and Design
Model and analyze bridge superstructures—including beams, decks, piers, and abutments—with precision. The software supports moving load analysis, influence lines, and automated design calculations for various bridge types such as beam, slab, and composite bridges.
Code-Based Design Validation
Ensure regulatory compliance with built-in support for multiple international design standards including Eurocode, AASHTO, and British Standards. Automate member sizing, stress checks, deflection control, and load combination verification for structural safety and code compliance.
Parametric Modeling and Load Simulation
Create parametric bridge models that respond to changes in geometry, materials, and loading conditions. Simulate live traffic loads, lane configurations, and thermal effects to evaluate structural behavior under real-world conditions.
Key Features
- Support for concrete, steel, and composite bridge structures
- Moving load analysis with influence surfaces and critical load cases
- Design code checking for Eurocode, AASHTO, BS 5400, and more
- Built-in load combination generators and result visualization tools
- Parametric modeling for quick design iteration and optimization
- Integration with Civil 3D and InfraWorks for BIM workflows
Who Uses Structural Bridge Design?
Autodesk Structural Bridge Design is ideal for civil and structural engineers, transportation planners, and bridge design consultants working on short- to medium-span highway, railway, or pedestrian bridge projects. It improves accuracy, reduces manual calculation, and supports streamlined documentation and compliance.
⚠️ IMPORTANT:
Windows Only: Structural Bridge Design is exclusively a Windows application. There is no native macOS version.
Computational Focus: Unlike Revit or InfraWorks (which are graphical), this software is purely computational. It relies almost entirely on CPU Clock Speed for analysis (Grillage, Finite Element, and Beam Line).
🌉 Windows (Structural Bridge Design 2023–2026)
| Operating System (OS) |
2023-2024: Windows 10 (64-bit)<br>2025-2026: Windows 10 or Windows 11
|
Windows 11 (Professional / Enterprise)<br>(Recommended for best memory management)
|
| Processor (CPU) |
Intel Core i5 / AMD Ryzen 5<br>(2.5 GHz+)
|
Intel Core i7 / i9 or AMD Ryzen 7 / 9<br>Speed: 3.0 GHz+ (Base), 4.5 GHz+ (Turbo)<br>(Analysis solvers are calculation-heavy; High GHz is more important than core count)
|
| Memory (RAM) |
8 GB |
16 GB (Standard Bridge Models)<br>32 GB (Complex Finite Element Analysis / Grillage models)
|
| Disk Space |
1 GB (Installation only)
|
SSD (Solid State Drive)<br>(Solver creates temporary cache files; fast storage speeds up analysis time)
|
| Graphics (GPU) |
1 GB VRAM<br>DirectX 11 compliant
|
4 GB VRAM<br>DirectX 11 / 12 compliant<br>(Basic dedicated graphics are sufficient; this software is not GPU-intensive)
|
| Display |
1280 x 1024 |
1920 x 1080 (FHD) or higher<br>(High resolution is recommended for viewing detailed calculation reports and traffic loading diagrams)
|
| Spreadsheet |
Microsoft Excel (Local Install) |
Excel 2019 / 2021 / 365 (64-bit)<br>(Required for generating reports and importing/exporting load data)
|
| Framework |
.NET Framework 4.8 |
.NET 8 (For 2025/2026 versions) |
🍏 macOS (Structural Bridge Design)
Autodesk Structural Bridge Design does not run natively on macOS.
| Native Mac App |
❌ Not Supported
|
There is no installer for macOS. |
| Parallels Desktop |
✅ Usable
|
Works well on M1/M2/M3 Macs.<br>Since Structural Bridge Design is not graphically demanding (it is mostly data and wireframe diagrams), it runs very efficiently in a Parallels Windows VM. Allocate 8-16 GB RAM to the VM for best analysis speed.
|
| Boot Camp |
✅ Recommended
|
(Intel Macs Only) Runs Windows natively. |
💡 Performance Advice for Bridge Engineers
CPU Priority:
The "Traffic Load Optimization" and "Finite Element" solvers are mathematically intensive.
A CPU with High Turbo Frequency (e.g., 5.0 GHz) will complete a moving load analysis significantly faster than a slower server CPU.
Report Generation:
Structural Bridge Design creates extensive PDF calculation reports.
Ensure you have a fast SSD and a local installation of Microsoft Word/Excel. Generating reports to a slow network drive can take a long time.
Graphics:
You do not need a high-end expensive graphics card (like an RTX 4090) for this software. A basic NVIDIA T1000 or RTX A2000 is more than enough. The workload is almost entirely on the CPU and RAM.
