Document Information

Document Type: FAQ

Product(s): LEAP RCPIER/Substructure

Version(s): All

Original Author: Bentley Technical Support Group - VM

QUESTION: In the Auto Load Generation : Live Load window,  What does the Reaction factors on Bearing lines represent?

ANSWER:

The Reaction factors basically represent the distribution factors that needs to be applied on different bearing lines.

This can be explained by considering 2 different scenarios.

1) Integral Pier / Single line of Bearing .

Generally there are no bearing for integral pier but for analysis and design purpose the program considers bearing to transfer the load from superstructure to substructure . If you have continuous Box girder then there are cases wherein only single line of bearing is used. In such cases in order to distribute the superstructure reaction to the bearing the program automatically assigns Reaction factor, which is basically 1 for single line of bearing. But if the user wants to modify that then he/she can do that based on the project requirement. Please see the attached screenshot.

2) Two line of bearing .

If you have continuous Pre stressed I girders then generally 2 line of bearing is used. In such cases in order to distribute the superstructure reaction to the bearing the program automatically assigns Reaction factor, which is basically 0.5 for each line of bearing. Half of the reaction is distributed to one bearing line and the other half will be distributed to other bearing line. But if the user wants to modify that then he/she can do that based on the project requirement. Also user can assign reactions factor for different cases. Please see the attached screenshot.

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