(03.26.2013) Bentley - Structural eSeminar: LEAP Bridge Design Attendee Questions

This eSeminar was originally presented on Mar. 26th, 2013.

You can view the recording online at our BeConnected site (click here).

The following are the product-related questions and corresponding answers from the eSeminar.

Q: How do we learn more about this year’s Be Inspired Award winner and finalists in the Bridge category?

A: Bentley is proud to have received a number of great use cases for this new category. The Innovation in Bridges finalists and winner were outstanding uses of Bentley products for their bridge projects. Consider entering your innovative project in next year’s competition, which will be announced in May 2013 and awarded in October 2013 in London!
Q: How do we get the continuing education credits? How can I get a certificate of attendance of CEU's?

A: Bentley Learning Units (BLU), Bentley Institute’s equivalent to Professional Development Hours (PDH), are granted for the live and recorded eSeminar. Within 2-4 weeks of watching the presentation, Learning Units are added to your transcript. To access your transcript, go to www.bentley.com/mylearninghistory. On the "My Learning History" page, there is a detailed how-to guide related to Learning Units and transcripts, in addition to the link to the user’s online transcript. In most states, users can submit their Bentley transcripts for consideration for continuing education credit toward their registration renewals.
Q: Does LEAP Bridge support Consplice or a similar 4D time-dependent analysis?

A: CONSPLICE is not currently part of LEAP Bridge. It is available as a separate program.
Q: Q: There is quite a difference in the required Pjack force when using the diaphragm feature at the bents versus not using them at the bents. Which is correct? This is in CONBOX, to be more specific.

A: Required PJack calculation is dependent on the allowable tensile stress. Stiffer section with a diaphragm attracts more moment. CONBOX only uses superstructure section properties for calculating stresses which may be conservative. CONBOX allows users to exclude sections between faces of support from stress checks.
Q: For rc pier, can you make a multi column pier without symmetry in the center of the two columns? I want to make a two column pier, with a parabolic arch between the two columns. I have only be able to make them linear.

A: Yes, you can model a multi-column pier without symmetry in RC-PIER, but there is no possibility of modeling the parabolic arch other than an approximation using linear segments.
Q: One of the common structural systems for cast-in-place slabs is to use pile supported bents instead of column supported bents. This cannot be modeled on the current version of CONBOX. Do you have plans to develop this kind of modeling?

A: Good suggestion, we will incorporate into CONBOX in a future version. Note that RC-PIER does support pile-bents currently.
Q: Does the import support Civil3D file types?

A: Civil3D should be able to export to LandXML. Import of LandXML format is available in LEAP Bridge.
Q: Can custom girders such as Florida beams be used?

A: Yes, you can add your own sections to the library once and use in many different projects. The Florida I-beams are already part of the default library.
Q: Can client specific prestressed beams and permit vehicles be manually entered in and saved for use?

A: Yes, both beam sections and live load vehicles can be added by users and re-used across projects.
Q: Does RC Pier model the soil interaction to calculate moments on drilled shafts?

A: RC-PIER currently does not handle soil structure interaction. This item is high on our enhancement list and will be implemented in the near future.
Q: Can you input ACAD Civil 3D info?

A: Civil3D should be able to export to LandXML. Import of LandXML format is available in LEAP Bridge.
Q: Does the program have the capability to interact with AutoCad?

A: There are many options to export to DXF in various parts of the program. Also the DGN files themselves can be opened in AutoCad. Also the geometry information, the ground information can come from LandXML.
Q: Is there a Consplice option available in LEAP Bridge?

A: CONSPLICE is currently not part of LEAP Bridge.
Q: Are you able to model dapped end prestressed girders?

A: LEAP Bridge currently does not support dapped end prestressed girders.
Q: Can you model a bridge that splits from a single structure into two parallel deck structures?

A: Yes, most likely yes, but the analysis will need to be done separately.
Q: Can a single bridge have both pretensioned and post tensioned components?

A: Currently this option is not supported.
Q: Can we model a PT box girder and prestressed I-girder in the same x-section?

A: Currently this option is not supported.
Q: Are there any plans to update the Consplice program and add it to LEAP Bridge Enterprise? If so, when will this be completed?

A: A new version of CONSPLICE will be updated on SELECT shortly (May 2013). A number of updates have been made for CONSPLICE and Beta testing is in progress.
Q: There is an option to define piles below the substructure in LEAP. How is the presence of piles used in LEAP? is it used in substructure design or pile analysis such as lateral pile analysis? can LEAP perform foundation settlement analysis?

A: Yes, Piles can be defined in LEAP Bridge.
Q: In Geomath can you get a report showing screed elevation at the coping or edge of the beam? I have only been able to get a report at the centerline of the beam.

A: This feature is currently not available in GEOMATH.
Q: You didn't list CONSPLICE? Isn't that Bentley software?

A: Yes CONSPLICE is part of the LEAP family of products at Bentley. A new version of CONSPLICE will be updated on SELECT shortly (May 2013). A number of updates have been made for CONSPLICE and Beta testing is in progress.
Q: Can you model a crashwall in RC Pier?

A: RC-PIER does not support crash wall.
Q: Drilled shaft in RC Pier include impact. How do we design without impact?

A: Users can set the IM of truck as zero in “A/D Parameters” under “Analysis” tab in order to design drilled shaft without impact.
Q: Which agency have adopted using the software?

A: Over 40 State DOTs currently use LEAP Bridge software and/or its components, CONSPAN, RC-PIER, GEOMATH and CONBOX.
Q: Can you input loads from a steel superstructure and just design the substructure?

A: Yes, this is a possibility. You can start LEAP Bridge, and go directly to substructure design.
Q: Are there any future provisions for bridge deck drainage analysis, including drain locations?

A: Not at this time.
Q: Does it calculate deck variable haunch?

A: For design purposes, the haunch is constant, but for the geometry calculations, you can define variable haunch in GEOMATH.
Q: Can I get rating software for PS Girder Briges as a stand alone program

A: Yes, you can chose to use only CONSPAN for rating of PS Girder Bridges.
Q: In Illinois we have column piers with crashwall protection. Can you suggest best way to model this?
A: This event along with the live Q&A is available at BeConnected site .
A: Crashwall design is currently not supported in LEAP Bridge.
A: This event along with the live Q&A is available at BeConnected site .
Q: When will LEAP Steel Bridge be released and will it include the CHBDC?

A: The first release of LEAP Bridge Steel will not support the CHBDC. Based on user requests and feedback, it is definitely possible to include in a future release.
Q: Does Drilled shaft design include soil interaction effect?

A: No.
Q: Can Geomath handle Superelevation Transitions and/or varying cross-slopes at multiple points transversely across the bridge?

A: Yes Geomath can handle varying cross slopes at multiple points transversely across the bridge and also superelevation transitions.
Q: How do you modify the bridge model if you need to add a pier?

A: Depending on how much of the design is complete, and if ABC Wizard is still available, you can simply go back to step 1, increase number of spans, and specify the support condition in step 2 of the wizard.
Q: How does the integration with ProjectWise work?

A: From within the program you can connect to a projectwise repository and check-in/check-out/update files and browse through project file properties.
Q: Can you export/import to ProSteel/ProConcrete?

A: The 3D model can first be exported to MicroStation, and then imported into ProSteel/ProConcrete..
Q: I thought I heard you say Conspan can now analyze thermal loads... is that correct?

A: Yes, thermal loads can be modeled in CONSPAN. It supports uniform, gradient and multi-linear temperature loads.
Q: Are there any add-ons that work with culverts?

A: Culvert design is not currently available in LEAP Bridge.
Q: Do I need Microstation to use the rating program?

A: No, LEAP Bridge or CONSPAN do not need Microstation to run.
Q: Which software can analyze abutments with wingwalls?

A: RC-PIER does not offer wingwall design in abutment. However, self-weight of the wingwall can be considered in a typical abutment design using RC-PIER.
Q: Can you do a permit truck + Lane for design and rating in one run?

A: Yes, it is possible to design and load rate for both permit vehicles and lane loads.
Q: Does software analyze and design stepped piers?

A: Yes.
Q: Can non library beam shapes be imported from a DGN file?

A: Currently this is not possible. But you could enter it in manually.
Q: Does it model the soil for the caisson design?

A: No.
Q: Does LEAP consider the PGL and CL of the Bridge not being coincident?

A: Yes. An offset can be specified for such cases.
Q: How RC Pier handles crashwall between footing below and columns above crashwall?

A: RC-PIER currently does not handle crashwalls.
Q: Can you model a pier in RC-Pier and then import into LEAP or only from LEAP to RC-Pier?

A: The pier can be modeled either as a standalone structure in RC-PIER, or as a substructure unit of a bridge in LEAP Bridge first and then exporting it to RC-PIER.
Q: Does RCPier allow you to check the 24 ksi service stress limit in Service III Limit State?

A: RC-PIER does not check 24 ksi service stress limit in Service III.
Q: Can this program design curved bridges?

A: Yes, Curved concrete bridges, either cast-in-place slabs, or Post tensioned boxes, etc. are possible. Also curved prestressed girder bridges where the girders themselves are straight are also possible.
Q: is it able to be imported in to navigator?

A: You can export the 3D bridge model from LEAP into Microstation. From Microstation, you should be able to open it up using Navigator.
Q: What about steel girders?

A: LEAP Bridge cannot handle steel girders at this time. A new software for Steel bridge design is being released by Bentley shortly..
Q: Integral bents using precast girders are becomming more common. It would be very helpful to include this feature within the LEAP Bridge suite.

A: Good suggestion. We will add to our enhancement list, and consider it for a future version.
Q: On stepped piers I am having trouble carrying a atraight rebar across the entire cap. Is there a way to get around that

A: No. Currently, there is no workaround for that. RC-PIER will offer that new functionality in the future release.
Q: Can you model a bridge based on point clouds?

A: Yes, once you have the geometry information, you can certainly input the details into ABC Wizard, and create a structural model.
Q: Can you model precast box or arch type structures in geomath? What about other software?

A: Precast cast in place boxes can be modeled in CONBOX. Arch type structures are not possible in Geomath.
Q: Can you give us a preview of leap steel?

A: LEAP Bridge Steel is being introduced at NASCC, the Steel Conference in St. Louis, MO in the week of April 15, 2013. More information will be added to www.bentley.com shortly thereafter.
Q: Is steel design covers curve girder?

A: Yes, the new LEAP Bridge Steel software will analyze and design curved steel girder bridges.
Q: One of the common structural systems for cast-in-place slabs is to use pile supported bents instead of column supported bents. This cannot be modeled on the current version of CONBOX. Do you have plans to develop this kind of modeling?

A: Please see # 7 above.
Q: What level of detail do we have in drawings? Re-bar size, spacing etc?
A: This event along with the live Q&A is available at BeConnected site .
A: Yes, the rebars are shown/drawn and labeled accurately to scale.
A: This event along with the live Q&A is available at BeConnected site .
Q:Could you please tell me more about the new Bentley Institute Press STAAD book?

A: Bentley’s first structural analysis and design book puts theoretical concepts for a structural design into practice with STAAD.Pro. It is a technical reference guide relating code and design requirements to the world’s leading structural analysis and design software. You can learn more about it or order one here.
Q: Thank you.

A: Your’e very welcome. Thank you for taking the time to attend this seminar.