EUROCODE-BASED ANALYSIS AND DESIGN OF BRIDGE SUBSTRUCTURES USING PYTHON PROGRAMMING

This research designed, analyzed, and detailed concrete bridge substructures in accordance with Eurocodesusing both manual and computer methods. The design focused exclusively on the substructure—the lower partof a bridge—which supports the horizontal spans by carrying the weights of the superstructural members. In thiswork, a Python-based computer program was developed to design, analyze, and detail the bridge substructures.The Python program specifically addressed the design and analysis of abutments and pier caps using Courbon’smethod, incorporating advanced algorithms and visualization techniques.The bridge spans considered ranged from 23.2 m to 40 m. The maximum design bending moments, maximumshear forces, and axial forces were 935.90 kNm, 366.69 kN, and 682.48 kN respectively. Manual analyses anddesigns were performed for bridge spans of 23.2 m, 25 m, 30 m, 35 m, and 40 m, and these results were thencompared with those obtained from the Python program. The comparison showed that the outcomes from boththe manual and Python-based analyses were essentially the same, with percentage differences of less than 1%.This validation confirms that the developed Python program complies with Eurocodes BS EN 1992-1-1, BS EN1991-1-4, and BS EN 1991-2, and can serve as a reliable and efficient tool for the analysis and design of bridgesubstructures. Consequently, these Eurocodes can be easily applied using this Python program to design bridgesubstructures with considerations for safety, serviceability, and economy. The Python-based tool enhances theperformance of bridge structures by offering quick, accurate, and reliable analyses and designs