Substructure allows users to define a pier looking at it in an upstation view or in a downstation view. This affects the way cap/column/footing geometry and loads are defined.

When pier is defined in upstation view, it is defined looking at the pier in the direction of stationing. Positive X points towards right side of the bridge looking upstation. For upstation view, positive Z points in the direction opposite to stationing as shown below.

Figure 1. Bridge Pier Looking Upstation

Figure 2. Bridge Pier Details in Upstation View

However, if the pier is defined in downstation view, it is defined looking (back) at the pier in direction opposite to stationing. For this case, positive Z points in the direction of stationing as shown below.

Figure 3. Bridge Pier Looking Downstation

Figure 4. Bridge Pier Details in Downstation View

At any time a user may switch the pier view direction. When this is done, the data is adjusted and pier on the screen appears as a mirror image.