QUESTION: How does LEAP account for the self-weight of hammer head pier cap when STM model is created?

ANSWER:

As per the Tutor 3 Hammer Head Hand calculation example.

This is the procedure the program is applying the Self-weight of the pier cap on the Nodes.

Total weight of the pier cap is calculated.

Example = [(3x32) + (0.5)(8+32)(5)](4)(0.150) = 117.6 kips

Then the same total weight is distributed equally between all nodes of the STM.

Example = 117.6/21 = 5.6 kips/node

Strut and Tie model – Self weight of Hammer Head Pier cap.