Hello,
I have a 4 span bridge with spans 1 and 4 have prestressed concrete girders while spans 2 and 3 have steel girders. Is there a way to analyze the whole bridge instead of breaking the bridge into units and then doing the analysis using their respective LEAP versions?
I am asking this question because I am not sure how LEAP performs the Live Load analysis. That is, let's say, if I analyze my bridge by breaking it into individual units, would LEAP consider a live load case where the front axle of the truck is on the span/unit I am analyzing while the back axle is on a different span/unit?
Hi Chirag,
If you split the bridge into three units, then also the superstructure is separated. So, there will be no connection for the superstructure within the spans.
If the project has a slab that will be made continuous, the only way to analyze this bridge with different materials in the girders is as only one unit. And it is with RM Bridge, where you can have different materials and cross-sections and run the analysis altogether. One similar example is shown in the screenshot below.
Marcos Beier
Senior Technical Support Engineer
RM Bridge - OpenBridge Designer RM Bridge is now an integral part of OpenBridge Designer CONNECT Edition as Bentley’s solution for supporting the design and engineering tasks in bridge construction for all types of bridges and construction… Last edited 2 months ago in LARS | LEAP | OpenBridge | OpenTunnel | RM > LARS | LEAP | OpenBridge | OpenTunnel | RM Wiki
Answer Verified By: Chirag