User guide for bridge rail expert system (BREXS)

This guide is intended to serve highway engineers as an introduction to the usage of BREXS, a knowledge-based expert system for bridge rail selection. Both new construction and retrofit cases of rail selection and installation are treated. Following instructions for installation of the software and required microcomputer hardware, the user is instructed in use of the software under the Microsoft Windows environment. Each menu in the system is described in detail. Graphical images from the computer monitor illustrate entry to data and dialog boxes as well as drawings of bridge rails that be moved horizontally with the keyboard or pointing device to desired or optimal locations on existing bridge slab. The final chapter provides the user with a sample session that uses the program to aid in bridge rail selection. Rails are recommended for a given site from a list of standard types approved by the Texas Department of Transportation.