Using the “Composite steel and concrete columns” module, CYPECAD and CYPE 3D can check composite steel and concrete columns in accordance with the “EN 1994-1-1” and “ANSI/AISC 360-10” codes.
The code to be used for the composite column check is not selected directly as is done with the concrete and steel codes. The program applies a code depending on the selected concrete code.
Below are the implemented types of composite columns:
More information on this new CYPECAD and CYPE 3D module can be found on the Composite steel and concrete columns webpage.
Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete (ACI 318M-11)
Implemented in CYPECAD, CYPE 3D and Continuous beams.
CYPECAD and CYPE 3D use the Advanced beam editor and Advanced column editor when applying this code.
As of the 2016.a version, CYPECAD and CYPE 3D can check composite steel and concrete columns. This check is included in the “Composite steel and concrete columns” module described in the “New modules – Composite steel and concrete” columns section on this webpage.
The 2016.a version brings about changes and new features to the Advanced column editor.
Furthermore, since, as of this version, users can design concrete columns and beams, as well as check composite steel and concrete columns, the advanced editor is now a tool used in CYPECAD and CYPE 3D.
The new version of the column editor contains two tabs which appear on the top part of the screen, with which, users can carry out the required checks and modifications on two different views: the classic view available as of previous versions “Edit in table” tab and the column schedule “Edit in column schedule” tab.
This window allows users to edit a column in a table (top right section of the window) which displays all the spans of the selected column. A summary of the checks carried out on the column span selected in the previous table is also displayed (in the bottom right section of the window).
It is also very useful to show the ultimate limit state (U.L.S.) checks of the selected column span or all the spans of the column.
Some buttons are displayed in the top right section, which allow users to: search for a column, redesign the reinforcement of a group of columns, view the details of the selected column, see its 3D view and obtain the U.L.S. check report of all the spans of the selected column.
Included in the top right section of the editor is the “Show densification zones”, which shows or hides, in the edit reinforcement window (top right section), the stirrup spans a concrete or composite column may have. This option only displays the stirrup densification zones each column span may contain but does not allow users to add any other densification zones. This is only possible in the Edit in column schedule window.
When stirrups are edited (by clicking on the stirrup layout in the table), a dialogue box opens where users can add different types of stirrups and crossties to a column span, hence the stirrups of the column can be modified even though their arrangement is not included in the reinforcement tables. This editing option is also available in the Edit in column schedule window.
Users can also edit the longitudinal reinforcement splices of each span and indicate that the splice length of 50% of the bars (of opposite sides or alternate bars) is to be displaced by a specific distance. To do so, select the icon in the cell located to the right of the “Y face” longitudinal reinforcement. Splices can also be edited and displaced in the Edit in column schedule tab by selecting the “Splices and anchorages” button of the longitudinal reinforcement.
This window has been especially designed to edit the reinforcement and steel sections provided in each span of the column groups, and in this case in the view of the column schedule that will be obtained in the drawing.
It contains more editing tools than the “Edit in table” window. Along the top of this window are buttons with which users can:
Detailed information on this powerful CYPECAD and CYPE 3D tool can be found on the “Advanced column editor” webpage.
To avoid problems arising with jobs analysed with versions earlier than the 2016.a version, the new column editor features do not appear until the job has been reanalysed with the new version. If there are any blocked columns, the new features will continue to not appear even if the job has been reanalysed. Therefore, all columns must be unblocked and the job reanalysed to be able to edit columns with the new editor.
Some seismic codes have a minimum base shear requirement when applying the modal spectral dynamic method in the seismic design process. CYPECAD carries out this check as of previous versions. More information on this check as well as the implemented codes for which this check is carried out can be found in the “Correction due to base shear” section on the CYPECAD webpage.
When the total results of the dynamic analysis are less than the minimum values prescribed in the seismic code to be applied, the dynamic response parameters have to be adjusted by increasing them using a modification factor, until these minimum values are reached. When the response exceeds the prescribed code values, the parameters of the total dynamic response can be reduced proportionally according to the project designer’s criteria.
Therefore, in the 2016.a version, the program offers different ways of proceeding with this requirement. The modification factor to adjust the results can be defined in different ways:
Users could, as of previous versions, edit and modify the axial stiffness coefficient and the concrete cover and resistance of an existing column using the corresponding options in the “Columns, shear walls and starts” dialogue box (“Introduction” menu in the “Column Definition” tab). Now, these options appear in the “New Column” dialogue box and in the “Edit Column” dialogue box (Column Definition tab > Introduction > Columns, shear walls and starts > “New Column” or “Edit”). This way, these parameters can be edited more comfortably, especial when they all have to be edited. These options can be found with the edit buckling and fixity coefficients options, which were already present in earlier program versions.
In previous versions, users could introduce diagonal cross bracing in their structures. As of the 2016.a version, a new option has been implemented to generate V-bracing. “Add V-bracing” and can be found in the “Sloped beams” menu (Beams/Walls > Sloped beams).
As of the 2016.a version, CYPE 3D analyses, designs and checks reinforced concrete beams and columns; and checks composite steel and concrete columns. It also provides reinforcement and U.L.S. check reports for columns, reinforcement and U.L.S. and S.L.S. check reports for beams, the column schedule and column details drawings and beam details drawings.
All the options that have been mentioned in relation with reinforced concrete columns and composite columns are available for the design codes implemented in the Advanced column editor and those in relation with reinforced concrete beams are available for the design codes implemented in the Advanced beam editor.
Columns and beams are defined as being structural element types in the CYPE 3D model when they are introduced. As of the 2016.a version, CYPE 3D allows users to define 4 types of structural elements: Generic, Tie, Column and Beam.
For the program to process an element as a column or beam, it must be introduced as a column or beam or have been assigned the corresponding structural type beforehand.
Reinforced concrete columns and beams are used mainly in building structures. Building structures are fundamentally vertical, divided into floors and composed of frames. As of this version, CYPE 3D incorporates levels and grids. Levels allow for space to be divided by horizontal planes at different heights, which allows for work zones, equivalent to floors, to be defined, and so allowing work with beam-type elements to be carried out more easily. Grids allow for numbered elevations to be defined in the x and y directions, allowing for columns to be defined more easily.
To help users when working with these structures, CYPE 3D allows users to define level and elevations views, in which users can move between the levels and elevations they have defined. Users are not obliged to define the grid (although it is very useful when moving between elevations, users must however, define at least two levels to be able to introduce column-type elements.
Due to the introduction of these elements, the program interface has been reorganised and some operations have been redefined.
Two new options have been implemented in the Job menu: “General data” and “Dimensioning units”. Details of the “General data” dialogue box are provided in this section.
The “General data” option provides users with a central management dialogue box of all the options affecting the design and check parameters of the program (for both Structure and Foundations tabs).
Added to the existing options, which were previously located in other menus, are the following options:
Allows users to establish the units in which the element dimensions are displayed in drawings.
The new job assistant present in previous versions has been substituted by the General data dialogue box, as it in this box where all the parameters affecting the analysis and design parameters of the program are located.
Options related with layer management, generating, geometry management, 3D views and specific operations carried out on elements (which in previous versions were located in the “Job” menu), have been incorporated in this menu to improve the options structure of the program.
The option to print beam labels has also been implemented.
Two new options: Levels and Grids, have been incorporated in the “Planes” menu. These options are essential when introducing, revising and viewing jobs with “Column” and “Beam” type structural elements.
If levels and grids have been defined, the program will allow users to create views for levels and elevations. Once the views have been defined, it is possible to move from one level to the next, or from one elevation to the next, using the buttons (up, down, and select levels or elevations) of the scroll bar on the left of the main screen.
Both level views and elevation views are 2D views. Therefore, any element introduced in a view will be contained in that plane. In the case of level views, the program displays elements belonging to the level and those reaching or beginning from it. The program allows for the views to be rotated, so users can better adjust their view of the elements.
As of the 2016.a version, users are required to define in CYPE 3D the structural function an element carries out. There are 4 different structural types available:
Columns are composed of elements whose structural type has been defined as being a column. A column can be composed of one or more elements. The column elements making up the column are vertical and have the same level parameters. Columns can be created in 3 ways:
Regardless of how they are created, the program will manage the composition/decomposition of the previously introduced columns. It is recommended columns be created using option 3. The “New column option” allows users to create a column between a range of indicated levels with the reference and sections defined by users by clicking with the mouse button at the position where the column is to be introduced.
The element must be vertical and be defined as being between two different levels. The element must be divided into bars, however, in the case of concrete columns, the reinforcement will be continuous along its complete length.
Once a group of elements has been defined as being a single column, CYPE 3D ensures the level parameters are the same for all of them. The level parameters of the column are defined using the “Describe disposition” option in the “Bar” menu.
The remaining specific editing option for columns are located in the “Edit columns” option in the “Bar” menu. This option displays a toolbar containing the possible edit options. These options are:
The program generates a solid model of the column taking into account floor slab depths at the nodes of the elements it is composed of. CYPE 3D automatically analyses these floor slab depths based on the elements reaching the nodes to established the real size of the column as well as the free height of the spans it is composed of.
A beam is an element which has been assigned as being a beam-type structural element. A beam cannot be vertical, and the angle between its XZ plane and the vertical plane containing it must be zero (i.e. it must not rotate about the longitudinal axis of the beam). Beams can be grouped and so form continuous beams (beam alignments), with the following conditions:
Beams (and continuous beams) can be created in 3 ways:
In all these cases, the program will manage the composition/decomposition of beams that were introduced previously. The recommended option is option 3. The “New beam” option allows users to easily create a continuous beam by introducing the bars it consists of. To finish off the introduction, click on the right mouse button and at that moment, CYPE 3D will create a continuous beam with all the elements that have been introduced, if possible.
The element cannot be vertical, it does not have to belong to a level, however when they have been defined, they will be assigned to the closest level below the beam. The element can be divided into bars, but if it is a concrete beam, the reinforcement will be continuous along its complete length.
If the continuous beam is composed of more than one element, the deflection groups of the elements must be completely contained within the continuous beam. CYPE 3D will carry out the deflection analysis indicated by the design code for the beams of the continuous beam. No additional deflection limits have to be defined using the “Limiting deflection” option, even though in this case, the program will additionally carry out the check.
The remaining specific options for editing beams are found in the “Edit beams” option of the “Bar” menu. This option displays a toolbar containing options to edit beams. These are:
The beam reinforcement editing process implies that a solid model of the beam has been generated bearing in mind the size of the nodes of the elements making it up. CYPE 3D automatically obtains the geometry of these nodes based on the geometry and position of the elements not belonging to the beam. In any case if the analysis were not to be satisfactory, users can define their own node geometry.
In the “Analysis” dialogue box (Analysis > Analyse), users can indicate whether reinforced concrete elements are to be designed. The section options affect steel columns and beams, even though in that case, the design process differs to that applied to bars defined as generic-type structural elements.
3 new options have been implemented in the “Analysis” menu (Columns, Beams and Joints), which open a series of design and analysis result update options:
The options corresponding to connections already existed in previous versions, but have been moved to this menu due to a better coherence of the options.
The “Check elements” and “U.L.S.” checks also include changes.
With the new structural elements that have been introduced, CYPE 3D now generates the following drawings (File > Drawings):
For CYPE 3D to design new structural elements (Columns and beams), the user license must include the following modules (as well as the required permits to use CYPE 3D):
Thread dimensions and lengths have been updated for all bolt series. Bolt series A307 has been increased up to diameter 4.
In versions earlier than the 2016.a version, the type of weld applied could not be edited. The welds are generally angle welds (except in connections with circular hollow sections and anchorage bolts).
As of the 2016.a version, the type of weld can be edited. Users can choose amongst:
The welds will be represented on the plans with their corresponding symbols.
In previous versions, connections fixed to column or beam flanges, welded or bolted, required web stiffeners.
As of the 2016.a version, these connections can be defined without stiffeners. This option is available only to check the connection. If the connection is re-designed, stiffeners will be provided. Users has the option to delete the designed stiffeners and check the connection without the stiffened web. Stiffeners associated with a moment reinforcement in the connection to the web of the main section are required and cannot be eliminated.
The following update has been implemented in the “Thermique” tab of CYPECAD MEP for France:
An option has been implemented to assign heights to measurements with a vertical component such as “Vertical surface area” measurements and “Volume of polygonal plan” measurements when using the “Automatic quantity import from drawings and link with CAD programs” module. To edit the height assigned to a vertical element click on the new “Assign height” button and in the “Height” box modify the value for the height. Then, select the “Vertical surface area” or “Volume of polygonal plan” measurement to change its height.
Quantity combinations for job items measured by number of units can now be created using the “Bill of quantities of Revit models” module.
The change tracking system has been improved for the “Bill of quantities of Revit models” module.
When the “Update changes carried out in Revit, in Arquimedes” option is used (after a change in the Revit model that is already linked to the Arquimedes job), a dialogue box appears: “Update the changed carried out in the Revit model linked to this job” where the entities of the Revit model are marked with (entity not modified), (modified entity), (new entity) or (deleted entity).
By double clicking with the mouse button on a Revit entity (Type, Element, Material or Room) marked with the symbol, a dialogue box will appear displaying the parameters that have changed in red.
If users press the “Accept” button in the “Update changes carried out in the Revit model linked to this job” dialogue box, the changes will be saved and another dialogue box will appear: “Assign job items and quantity extraction” to continue with the work. However, if users cancel the “Update changes carried out in the Revit model linked to this job” dialogue box without accepting the changes, no dialogue box will be displayed.
As of the 2016.a version, sub-categories are included in the Revit model that is imported to Arquimedes. These appear at category level in the “Assign job items and quantity extraction” dialogue box in the “Revit entities” tab.
Since sub-categories can now be imported, length-type job items such as washboards, moulds, drains, etc, can be measured by sweeping.
“Paint” has been added as a material to the Revit model. This way, quantities can be obtained using this Revit entity from the “Materials” tab of the “Assign job items and quantity extraction” dialogue box.