An overview of SAM-LEAP5 integrated bridge design and analysis software

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Section Design

Beam Design

2D/3D Analysis

Vehicle Load
Optimisation

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Integrated Bridge Design and Analysis Software

SAM-LEAP5 is a unique software suite that integrates structural analysis with design code checking of bridges in accordance with a variety of international codes of practice, including AASHTO, AUSTROADS and BS5400 specifications.

At the heart of the system is an intuitive graphical user interface that enables the engineer to model a bridge structure quickly, and then easily transfer critical results from the structural analysis to any of the design modules for code checking.

Graphical displays are employed throughout the design process to enable smart engineering decisions on the significance of any model alterations.

As a result, SAM-LEAP5 will enable the bridge engineer to reach an optimum design solution far more quickly compared with traditional analysis methods.

In today's competitive world, savings in materials and ultimately project costs are paramount. The tools available in SAM-LEAP5 will assist bridge engineers in exploring their creative potential to the full, whilst designing bridges which are as economic and aesthetically pleasing as possible.

Simplified Structure Definition

The bridge layout is defined using graphical tools for specifying design lines, carriageways and footways, span-end lines and support conditions for which fully configurable grillage and finite element meshes are produced. The model representing the structure could be a line beam or a refined 2D or 3D framework of members and elements.

Smart Section and Beam Libraries

Sections and beams to represent the structural form are prepared graphically from comprehensive libraries of standard parametric shapes, standard pre-cast concrete beams and standard steel sections. These include facilities for specifying reinforcing bars and pre-stressing tendons. A section editor is also included for generating non-standard shapes. The sections and beams are assigned to members graphically, and all section properties for use in the analysis are calculated automatically.

Advanced Modelling Features

The analysis includes a comprehensive range of advanced modelling features, such as:

Non-linear facilities for tension and compression only members, lift off supports, member limiting forces (e.g. plastic hinges), support reaction limits (e.g.friction modelling).
Graphical definition of construction stage members and loads, including visual simulation of cumulative staged construction load effects.
Full and partial member releases, member eccentricities.
Modelling of post-tensioning cables in 3D, calculating losses and secondary effects.

Automated Transient Load Patterns

Predicting critical transient load patterns is often one of the most difficult and time consuming tasks that bridge engineers have to deal with. This process is automated in SAM-LEAP5 by the use of influence methods to generate critical load configurations in accordance with a range of design standards for both road and rail. Libraries of standard vehicles/trucks that can be customised are included.

These critical load patterns can then be combined with permanent loads using intelligent routines for generating loading combinations and envelopes.

The resulting load effects, i.e. bending moments and shear force envelopes with corresponding associated effects are then transferred automatically to the beam design modules.

Interactive Graphic Output

An extensive range of graphics tools are available for display and plotting of structural information and results output. Some of these facilities include; dynamic viewing, selected members and load cases, formatting text size, colour and orientation etc. Configurable results output tables can also be printed for selected members and load cases.

Design Code Checking for Sections and Beams

The load effects produced from the analysis can be investigated graphically within the section and beam design modules for: reinforced concrete sections and beams, pre-tensioned concrete beams, and steel/concrete composite beams in accordance with international design standards, including AASHTO, AUSTROADS, and BS5400 specifications.

These code-checking facilities are based on interactive calculations and graphics to check if the section or beam is adequate, grossly under-stressed or over-stressed. Further iterations of the analysis - design cycle are often required to obtain the optimal solution. This process may involve making changes to the bridge parameters (e.g. section or beam data) and then re-assessing the critical loads until a final design solution is reached.

The Benefits of SAM-LEAP5

The SAM-LEAP5 analysis and design modules can operate independently, or combined to provide a unique system for integrated analysis and design of bridges. Some of the main benefits of SAM-LEAP5 are summarised below:

A single user-friendly graphical user interface is utilised throughout for both analysis and design.
Section properties are calculated automatically for analysis, thereby saving time and avoiding data errors in transferring the section properties from SAM-LEAP5 into a separate analysis tool.
Analysis results are automatically transferred into the beam design modules, thus providing major time savings and avoiding errors in importing results from a separate analysis tool.
The sections/beams defined are directly linked with the analysis model, so that changes to section or beam configurations as part of the design process are automatically considered when re-analysing to produce new design load effects. This enables much faster iterations on the analysis/design cycle which ultimately leads to significant time savings whilst achieving optimised design solutions.
SAM-LEAP5 provides detailed reporting facilities for tabular and graphical input/output results, together with complete design calculations output.

Quality Assured Products

SAM-LEAP5 is the integration of the two leading civil engineering software products for design and analysis of bridges. These products are very well established in the design offices of most top bridge engineering consultants and government agencies in the UK and also many overseas.

SAM-LEAP5 combines in-depth high quality engineering with the latest programming facilities available on current PC platforms running the Windows operating systems.

SAM-LEAP5 development is based on strict quality control procedures that ensure accuracy and robustness of the computing methods used and minimisation of errors within the system at each release.

A number of user quality control procedures are built into the system. Some of these include checking and verification of data graphically, file location details, time and date stamps on output, analysis log and recovery files.

Customer Support

The help-desk has for many years been the centre of the support services to the user base, dealing with general queries and providing technical assistance and advise on using the program facilities.

All telephone, fax, or email enquiries received are held on an automated logging database system. This enables automatic call referencing, call allocation and monitoring progress of queries so that the most satisfactory service levels are achieved.

In addition, the annual service agreements include regular software upgrades to licensed modules.

Training and Consultancy Services

This forms an essential part of Bestech Systems additional services to the user base. Training on all software modules through public courses, technical seminars and in-house courses is provided.

Demonstration Software

Interactive Demonstration media based on real worked examples are available for introducing new users to SAM-LEAP5 and enabling existing users to become familiar with the new features being provided.

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User Conferences

SAM-LEAP5 user conferences are held annually. These enable users to share expertise and discuss product enhancement. The user conferences,organised by the users, provides Bestech Systems with significant feedback for establishing future product development plans. This way, the product evolves in keeping with the practical requirements of bridge engineers.