LEAP Bridge Steel brings data reuse across the bridge lifecycle and optioneering for better decision making to steel bridge design, construction, and operations

 Bentley Systems announced the availability of LEAP Bridge Steel for the 3D modelling, design, analysis, and load rating of everyday steel bridges. The software, which adheres to AASHTO Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) Specifications, enables users to leverage the benefits of bridge information modelling (BrIM), including increased efficiency and data reuse across the bridge lifecycle. It also provides the advantage of optioneering – which enables engineers to quickly consider trade-offs between multiple design strategies. When used with Bentley’s LEAP Bridge Enterprise software for concrete bridges, LEAP Bridge Steel provides bridge engineers and designers a comprehensive solution to evaluate multiple concrete or steel design alternatives.

Raoul Karp, Bentley Systems vice president, structural and BrIM products, said, “The cornerstone of BrIM is intelligent information mobility, which fosters the use of data beyond bridge design and engineering to inform downstream processes such as fabrication, construction, operations, maintenance, and inspection. With easy access to information about the bridge, organisations can optimise business processes – across the bridge lifecycle.”

He continued, “LEAP Bridge Steel uniquely facilitates information mobility across various project stages. In addition, the bridge designs can be used in conjunction with MicroStation, GEOPAK, InRoads, MXROAD, the Power Civil products, and InspectTech, which makes it easy for information to move between project disciplines.

“But BrIM isn’t just about information mobility; it also provides project flexibility, which LEAP Bridge Steel supports through its parametric 3D modeling capabilities. Parametric modelling enables engineers to take advantage of optioneering. With this powerful capability, they can quickly respond to project changes in a timely manner and arrive at the best design alternative for better asset performance.”

With LEAP Bridge Steel, users can:
• Create 3D models of bridge superstructures and substructures, including ground data, all in a single program
• Quickly evaluate multiple alternative designs
• Design and construct bridges of a higher quality
• Take advantage of the software’s intra-operability with other Bentley applications, including MicroStation, GEOPAK, InRoads, MXROAD, the Power Civil products,
and InspectTech.