If your goal is to define, analyze and design an open girder bridge superstructure and substructure, and obtain accurate geometry information, we recommend that you first define the geometry in Bridge Parametric Layout.

Using this method, you would start LEAP Bridge Concrete and move to the Geometry tab, then start Bridge Parametric Layout and proceed to define the bridge geometry by filling in the fields, importing the geometry data from a Land XML file or opening an existing Bridge Parametric Layout file as a starting point. Upon completion, when closing Bridge Parametric Layout you will need to answer Yes when asked to create a new LEAP Bridge Concrete model. This will create a new LEAP Bridge Concrete database and generate a 3-D model.

However, the bridge definition can also be started in Precast/Prestressed Girder/CIP RC/PT Girder and then transferred to Bridge Parametric Layout using LEAP Bridge Concrete. In this case, the bridge definition will be done similar to case B/C above, depending on the type of superstructure. After defining the superstructure and the piers, all you need is to go to the Geometry tab and start Bridge Parametric Layout. The bridge definition will be transferred to Bridge Parametric Layout, and Bridge Parametric Layout can be used now to work on the bridge geometry more accurately. Roadway Alignment and cross section and profile as well as bearing layout and other aspects of geometry can be easily modified in Bridge Parametric Layout. When closing Bridge Parametric Layout, the LEAP Bridge Concrete dataset is automatically updated.

Whether you started from Precast/Prestressed Girder/CIP RC/PT Girder or Bridge Parametric Layout, using the steps outlined above, the bridge geometry at this time has reliable geometry definition and the physical geometry can no longer be modified by the Precast/Prestressed Girder/CIP RC/PT Girder or Substructure analysis and design components any more.

When you move to the Superstructure or Substructure tab and start Precast/Prestressed Girder, CIP RC/PT Girder or Substructure, this component program will start in a special "Analysis/Design" mode, which means geometry fields related to the whole bridge definition, for example the type of girders, their number, span lengths, etc., can't be revised. Details of the data shared by each of the component programs at this time and data exchange criteria is listed at the end of this section. If you desire to change the bridge geometry definition in the component program for a special analysis, you need to access the LEAP Bridge Concrete menu of the component program and "disconnect" the component data from LEAP Bridge Concrete. This action opens the geometry fields for editing and you can revise the data needed. However, once you have selected to work in a "disconnected" mode, the revised geometry from the component application can't be saved back into LEAP Bridge Concrete, and you need to save the data in the component's native file format by selecting Save As on the File menu.

Even though the geometry is locked, only material information or information about super or substructure reinforcing can optionally be written back to the LEAP Bridge Concrete database.

Details of the data shared by each of the component programs at this time and data exchange criteria is listed at the end of this section. If you desire to change the bridge geometry definition in the component program for a special analysis, you need to access the LEAP Bridge Concrete menu of the component program and "disconnect" the component data from LEAP Bridge Concrete. This action will open the geometry fields for editing and you can revise the data as needed. However, once you have selected to work in a "disconnected" mode, the revised geometry from the component application cannot be saved back into LEAP Bridge Concrete, and you need to save the data in the component's native file format by selecting Save As on the File menu.

The recommended method to address bridge level geometry definition once a LEAP Bridge Concrete database has been created is to go back to Bridge Parametric Layout, change the geometry definition in Bridge Parametric Layout and then update the LEAP Bridge Concrete data set when existing Bridge Parametric Layout.