Below the menu are the "dockable" toolbars. There are three toolbars. The Standard Toolbar includes access to files, units, views and printing. The Library Toolbar allows the user to manipulate the PGSuper libraries. The Help Toolbar provides access to internet resources and the help system. Toolbar hints appear when the user moves the cursor over the toolbar buttons. The toolbars can also be "detached" from the menu and become floating windows.
One of the many strengths of PGSuper's interface is the Views. Views are windows that allow the user to visually review input and results in textual and graphical form. There are five Views available to the user which are summarized below:
- Bridge Model View - Graphical drawing view showing girder layout and superstructure typical section.
- Girder View - Graphical drawing view showing a girder elevation and a section cut. This view is interactive in that user may "drag" the section cut to any location along the length of the girder.
- Analysis View - Graph view showing moment, shear, and displacement results for each girder and construction stage.
- Girder Stability View - Graph view showing Factor of Safety vs. Lift Point for each girder and for girder handling. Both the lifting stage and transportation of the girders are represented.
- Reports View - Output view of the design and analysis.
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One or more Views maybe open at a time. This allows the user to review different Views simultaneously. For example the user may want to open the Girder View and Girder Stability View concurrently to check to make sure their design intent was captured in the input.
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Another strength of PGSuper's interface is the libraries. There are libraries for concrete types, connections, girders, diaphragm layout, traffic barriers, and design criteria. Each library has a tabbed dialog boxes that allows the user to add, delete, and modify library entries. For example, if PGSuper doesn't have the girder your organization uses then just add one. This flexibility results in a program that behaves as the user dictates instead of a program that the user is constantly "faking" into working. PGSuper takes this flexibility and also applies to the LRFD code. If your organization uses different factors from the "Official" code not to worry the program may allow you to change the factor. For example, the program allows the user to change the factors for allowable concrete stresses (LRFD - Section 5.9.4.2.1).