Latest News From Graitec

Improvements on the RC Column module

Improvements on the RC Column module

More intuitive definition of starter bars in columns with the possibility to choose if the user wants to extend the main bars as starter bars or to generate additional starter bars. The list of options in the Top Starter Bars and Bottom Starter Bars windows has been modified for this purpose. Several new options give the possibility to manage all complex situations depending on the project.

Often, when you design a column with internal forces coming from a FEM calculation, designers may have small horizontal forces they do not want to consider for the design step. That’s why we have implemented a new tolerance that user can set to ignore those small horizontal forces values, in addition to the bending moments tolerance that was already existing in the previous version.

Improvements for compressed columns with a square section: In a case of design calculations of a square column in pure compression and equal slenderness, now the same eccentricity is considered along with both directions (x and y) and it is calculated as eccentricity from imperfection along the diagonal of the section (Mx=My=NEd*ei/(sqrt(2)).

Improvement on the RC Footing module

Improvement on the RC Footing Module

The BIM Designers Footing module offers now the possibility to select which eccentricity method to apply according to the Eurocodes for the geotechnical verifications:

• Compressed surface verification
• Eccentricity verification using ellipse interaction
• Eccentricity verification using central core interaction

The BIM Designer Footing module is providing accurate results in diagrams and detailed reports.

New methods for multilayer soils: the method of determining the load-bearing capacity of the foundation on the multi-layer soil has been extended with a selection of the way for the homogenization of layered subsoil for determining the mean soil parameters:

• According to DIN 4017, which has been expanded with new options.
• By averaging soil parameter to a given depth, using various types of averaging.

Both methods are universal and can be used to verify the resistance according to all standards available in the application.

Modification the starting level for the transversal reinforcement on columns: the reference level is its bottom edge. This will make it much easier to edit and especially to add a new transverse reinforcement for starter bars. The offset value can now also be defined as negative to allow defining the transverse reinforcement in the foundation block.

Improvements on the RC Wall Module

Improvements on the RC Wall Module

The new RC Wall module is now able to manage L or T walls or even the intersection of walls. This type of definition of the wall connection is available for both bearing and shear walls and allows for obtaining a suitable reinforcement for the node including all constructive dispositions.

With the latest version 2021, the possibility of generating automatically Rebar bending details on wall reinforcement drawings was introduced. As with the other modules, there are several settings that allow the user to choose how to measure the length of bar sections and how to describe the schemes. Bending details can be generated on drawings of single bearing walls or shear walls.

A new possibility has been added for editing Interface bars: it allows for defining/editing additional vertical interface bars with transversal linkage bars. Note, that such reinforcement is available only for Shear walls. Those new options give more flexibility when managing all constructive disposition for shear walls in seismic zones.

Integration of the new Intersig fabrics library to reinforce bearing walls and the web of shear walls.

Miscellaneous Improvements on all RC Modules

Miscellaneous Improvements on all RC Modules

New dialogs for better user experience: dialogs for defining the geometry, the design assumptions and for editing the reinforcement have been completely modified. All windows have a uniform appearance, size, layout and data input. Thanks to the menu list on the left side of dialogs and its tree structure, the user can quickly add/remove or modify certain components (for example openings). It is especially useful on windows for reinforcement editing, where modifying one of the features (e.g. bar diameter) for the parent position in a tree changes the value also in all elements in each tree branch.

The mechanism of creating reinforcement drawings has been completely modified. Thanks to the new layout, and especially a tree with all drawing components, the user has control over the composition of all drawing elements: views can be moved freely within the sheet and easily rescaled. It is also possible to move or delete most of the components of the view, such as dimensional lines, view descriptions, level symbols, bending details and more. All this makes it very quick and easy to adapt the drawing to your needs.

Verification of existing 3D rebar cages: the command has been added allowing to perform the verification of the element with modified / manually created reinforcement. It performs all verifications that are carried out during calculations, considering all settings and set loads as well as imposed reinforcement. After verification, all diagrams, drawings, and reports are available. If any conditions are not met, appropriate warnings appear on the Errors and warnings tab. 

Generation of minimal constructive reinforcement dispositions enabling a quick generation of the full 3D rebar cage without full design calculations but just relying on minimal constructive dispositions depending on the selected design code. This functionality is especially useful when you want to create the reinforcement cage for further verification.

New batch commands to be able to allow batch calculations, reports and drawings generation on several files in one time. Those new batch commands are also used to improve the link between Arche Ossature and the BIM Designers modules, enabling quick import/export of many RC elements. Those batch commands are significantly increasing the efficiency of BIM designers for your construction projects!

Improvements on the Steel Connection Module

Improvements on the Steel Connection Module

New 3D connection: Base plate with hollow sections

• Base plate connection for hollow section columns
• Supports for a square, rectangular or round column section
• Possibility to define a rectangular or circular base plate
• Analysis for the full set of forces (3D forces)

Asymmetric pinned base plate connection: when defining a pinned base plate connection for I-section columns, it is possible to define the geometry of the base plate as shortened separately for each direction. This allows modeling and calculation of the asymmetrical system with optional diagonal or vertical stiffeners.

• Additional stiffeners on beam flanges to increase the compression resistance of Moment End Plate connections
• Several miscellaneous improvements on different connections

New Possibilities for the Design of Steel Structures

New Possibilities for the Design of Steel Structures

Advance Design 2021 comes with several new powerful features dedicated to the design of steel structures.

New type of compound object is available: Super-element. A super-element is an element which consists of a set of individual linear elements. It’s a kind of a group of linear elements, that is used as a single element for various checks. A simple example of where the use of super-element is beneficial is the check of the limit deflection for a roof that is modeled by several linear elements.

For the elements to be combined into one super element, they must meet several conditions, including joining at the ends, having the same material category, having the same cross-section type and the same orientation (Z axis of the local system facing the same direction). Each newly created super element has its own unique ID number. It can be used, among other things, for selection or for displaying on a model view, thanks to the new type of annotation for linear elements.

Advance Design can optimize the entire 3D Steel model considering the defined super-elements. The Steel design results are available separately for the element and the super-element either. For example, check the maximum deflections using postprocessing diagrams, accessing the detailed shape sheet per element or super-element, or generating parametric detailed reports. Check all your steel project in a short time!

Improvements on Intermediate restrains definition for the Lateral Torsional Buckling check. In Advance Design, it is possible to define those restrains graphically which makes the definition much easier and more effective. Just select a steel member and access the different possibilities through the contextual menu: pinned and fixed restrains, for lower and upper flanges with the possibility to define them on points defining the required option in the command line.

With Advance Design, you can also design and optimize the Steel Connections within the same application. With the release 2021, several new features enhance possibilities:

• New User Interface for easier management of connections
• Base plate connection with hollow sections (rectangular, square or round)
• Asymmetric pinned based plate connection
• Additional stiffeners on beam flanges to increase the compression resistance of Moment End Plate connections
• Several miscellaneous improvements on different connections

New Possibilities for the Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures

New Possibilities for the Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures

Advance Design 2021 also comes with several new powerful features dedicated to the design of Reinforced Concrete structures.

Several improvements for the Punching Shear verification:

• Possibility of running the verification over punctual supports and below concentrated loads
• Ability to set parameters separately for each slab to better manage complex situations
• Extended detecting a position of the column for the automatic eccentricity β factor determination and control perimeters definition
• New and more detailed tables for the reports
• Accurate definition and calculation of the Punching bars calculated using the 6.52 formula from the amendment A1 (February 2015) to EN1992-1-1: transversal and longitudinal imposed spacing, type of shear bars, imposed or automatic diameter for the links…

New option for the minimum reinforcement on RC slabs: To extend the control over the definition of minimum reinforcement in slabs, a new Coverage of minimum reinforcement option has been added to the property list of concrete planar elements (Eurocode) to calculate those minimal required values only on tensioned faces on the element. This new option offers greater flexibility in the reinforcement calculation of planar elements.

Maximum crack width values definition has been separated for the bottom and top side of slabs to allow the verification separately for the two sides, which is particularly important for slabs having contact with ground or water from one side. Both values are available on the property list of concrete slabs.

For better control when defining the real reinforcement values on RC slabs, additional info about reinforcement areas per unit length has been added to the definition dialog. It is available on new columns separately for the global definition part and for parts for defining additional areas with using fabrics or bars. All values on new columns are read-only and are automatically updated if diameter or spacing is modified for reinforcement bars or a fabric type is changed.

Improvements on Concrete Design Modules

Improvements on Concrete Design Modules

In the latest version of the Advance Design many novelties and improvements have been introduced to the concrete design modules.

New dialogs for better user experience: dialogs for defining the geometry, the design assumptions and for editing the reinforcement have been completely modified. All windows have a uniform appearance, size, layout and data input. Thanks to the menu list on the left side of dialogs and its tree structure, the user can quickly add/remove or modify certain components (for example openings). It is especially useful on windows for reinforcement editing, where modifying one of the features (e.g. bar diameter) for the parent position in a tree changes the value also in all elements in each tree branch.

The mechanism of creating reinforcement drawings has been completely modified. Thanks to the new layout, and especially a tree with all drawing components, the user has control over the composition of all drawing elements: views can be moved freely within the sheet and easily rescaled. It is also possible to move or delete most of the components of the view, such as dimensional lines, view descriptions, level symbols, bending details and more. All this makes it very quick and easy to adapt the drawing to your needs.

Verification of existing 3D rebar cages: command has been added allowing to perform the verification of the element with modified / manually created reinforcement. It performs all verifications that are carried out during calculations, considering all settings and set loads as well as imposed reinforcement. After verification, all diagrams, drawings and reports are available. If any conditions are not met, appropriate warnings appear on the Errors and warnings tab.

The latest version of the RC beam module offers the possibility to choose the method of automatic transversal bars spacing compensation. It allows for choosing the method of placing transversal bars for uneven bar distribution.

New methods for multilayer soils: the method of determining the load-bearing capacity of the foundation on the multi-layer soil has been extended with a selection of the way for the homogenization of layered subsoil for determining the mean soil parameters:

• According to DIN 4017, which has been expanded with new options.
• By averaging soil parameter to a given depth, using various types of average.

Both methods are universal and can be used to verify the resistance according to all standards available in the application.

With the latest version 2021, the possibility of generating automatically Rebar bending details on wall reinforcement drawings was introduced. As with the other modules, there are several settings that allow the user to choose how to measure the length of bar sections and how to describe the schemes. Bending details can be generated on drawings of single bearing walls or shear walls.

Advance Design 2021

Advance Design 2021

Available so far with a Standard package (finite element, climatic load generation) or a Premium package (reinforced concrete, steel, and timber design codes), Advance Design 2021 now comes with an Ultimate package including detailed Design and Detailing for Reinforced Concrete beams, columns, footings, walls and slabs. Just pick a member in the 3D model and get the design intent and the rebar detail in the same environment without the need to export and import in another environment, losing time and data quality.

On top of this innovation, version 2021 is coming with more than 40 new functionalities.

Top 5 new functionalities:

• Pushover analysis to predict the non-linear behavior of steel and concrete members in complex projects.
• New Design to Detailing process allowing to fully manage reinforced concrete projects in a unified environment.
• New super-element functionality to group elements together for detailed design code checks.
• Design at stages for bigger flexibility when designing complete 3D projects.
• Advanced Punching Shear verification with more detailed results for the punching required reinforcement.