Connection Design Software

[dik]

I have a recent problem with a building that requires x-bracing. The problem is that there are a couple of wall, in place, that cause the bracing to be located 6" or 8" from the centers of the connection. The factored cross-bracing force is in the magnitude of 100K.

Is there software that can be used to analyse that condition?

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Do you feel any better?

-Dik

 

[ldeem]

That is a big eccentric moment some member(s) needs to take. I am only familiar with old Descon program and I don't think it considered eccentric moment on connecting members.

I'd be watching for moment you will put in the brace from the offset. That may impact the design quite a bit.

This sounds like a good problem to work by hand and use very conservative assumptions. Then I'd probably throw in some gusset plates just to be on safe side.

 

[dik]

Thanks... the EOR wants the bracing to resist the moment from the eccentricity, but because the axial stiffness is so much greater than the flexural stiffness of the bracing, I suspect this will not work so well.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Do you feel any better?

-Dik

 

[Brad805]

If only interested in the connections Idea Statica may work. It is becoming quite common for steel detailers to use this and it has CSA codes.

 

[dik]

Thanks, Brad. It looks like it may do the trick, assuming it can handle the large eccentric bracing loads.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Do you feel any better?

-Dik

 

[CANPRO]

I have been using Idea Statica for a few years now. It is an excellent tool and would handle this problem well. With that said, it is just a tool. Much like doing connection design by hand, how you define your eccentricity in the connection can have significant impacts on your results.

Only downside to Idea Statica is that I find the modelling a bit clumsy and time consuming (although they have made improvements on that in recent versions). I find the software is best for fine tuning a connection, not necessarily for trying out a bunch of different concepts. I don't start modelling connections until I've gotten 90% of the way there by hand.

dik, I believe Idea Statica has a fully functioning trial version (it did when I was trialing it a few years ago). It would be worth investigating for your current project. It is a relatively expensive piece of software, so maybe not worth it for a single project.

 

[dik]

Thanks Canpro... I'll look into the trial version. If a 'pinch comes to a shove', can I pay you to run a model?

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Do you feel any better?

-Dik

 

[GC_Hopi]

There is the bentley product, RAM Connection

 

[Brad805]

Idea Statica works best when paired with Tekla or another modeling package. I agree the modeling takes time to get used to.

 

[ALK2415]

@ Dik
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[dik]

Thanks...

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Do you feel any better?

-Dik

 

[CANPRO]

dik, I don't know if I'm in a position to accept payment for this. However, you've certainly built up enough good will on here since I've been a member and I'd be happy to run something for you unofficially if for nothing else to give you another data point for consideration and give you a look at what the software has to offer. If you're able to post a rough sketch of your connection I can take a quick look.

 

[dik]

thanks... no liability... I'll see if I can get enough information about the existing superstructure.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Do you feel any better?

-Dik