Introduction

PGSuper™ is a Windows based bridge design and analysis program developed by Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and BridgeSite Software. The program assists bridge engineers in the design and check of single-span, precast-prestressed girder bridges in accordance with the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specification. PGSuper comes with source (C++), free support, and excellent documentation. Did I mention that this entire package is FREE?

Open Source Licensing

PGSuper™ is licensed under the terms and conditions of the WSDOT Alternate Route Open Source License. The Alternate Route Open Source License gives users the right to use, and modify the software. The license also allows users to distribute the software provided that recipients are granted all rights in the license and receive or are told where the source code can be found.

Getting and Installing the Software

The PGSuper™ Download Center can be found at:

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/eesc/bridge/software/pgsuper1.htm

The source code can also be downloaded from this location. For this review I selected the latest preview release Version 1.1 - Preview 4. After clicking the "Download Now" button a form will appear requesting user information. Only your first and last name and email address is required. After entering your personal data and submitting the form the download will begin to your local drive.

At completion of the file transfer a single file will appear the directory that you choose. Double click on the PGSuper icon and following the installation instructions. The software installed on my machine in less than a minute.