RC-Pier Cap Open Joint

Have there been any updates to modeling an open joint in a pier cap in LEAP Bridge Concrete v17.00.01.01, or is this workaround the only solution? For this specific example that Greg is referencing, you cannot model a 2" segment of cap since LEAP requires a 6" minimum variable cap length.

I have emailed you the workaround solution.

Please let me know if its works for you.

Please post here for my reference and future reference for others.

Since there is limitation of 6” to model a variable length of pier cap and the other workaround solution to Open joint is as a hinge . As per the user manual the Hinge can only be added in Z direction to any node.

 So create a Active check point in the Structure Model window and then assign the hinge at that Check point in the Local Z direction.

However, it still allows shear and axial load to be transferred between adjacent pier cap sections.

 With the other suggestion to create a smaller, weaker section at the open joint location, it doesn’t appear to change the stiffness of the structural model. There is still moment and shear passing through this weak section. It looks like the only thing this accomplishes is that the shear and moment capacity is reduced to near zero at the joint location for the cap reinforcement design.

 Is there any other way to model independent cap sections for one wide superstructure in one model without having to create multiple files for each cap section?

The other suggestion is to create multiple files for each cap section as you have mentioned previously.

The other suggestion is to create multiple files for each cap section as you have mentioned previously.