ConSteel

Modeling

In today’s design methods one of the most challenging phases is the creation of the computer model of the structure.

Analysis

The analysis of the structural model can be the most “black box” type phase of the design process for the engineer, and additionally the modern structural standards usually define the appropriate and required analysis type for the used design formula. The ConSteel applies the finite element method for all the calculations using two beam-column element types (traditional 12 DOF Timoshenko and 14 DOF thin-walled including warping of the section) and two shell elements (triangle and quadrilateral). The great variety of calculation possibilities includes first and complete second order (not only P-D effect) analysis; flexural-, torsional-, and lateral-torsional buckling solutions; local buckling analysis of slender steel members built from shell elements; static and dynamic eigenvalue analysis and earthquake calculation based on elastic response spectrum. The exceptionally fast and robust equation solvers yield optimal calculation time even for unusually huge models.

Standard design

The Structural Eurocodes defined a very high standard for the design of engineering structures which resulted in a huge and complicated collection of code regulations. This complexity is already untreatable without the aid of computer but at the same time allows the engineer to use different levels for the structural design. The design philosophy of ConSteel is to exploit the opportunity of using as many high level automated computer calculations as possible capitalizing the most state-of-the-art design formulas. The calculations of the design module cover the major part of steel design procedures (EC 3 1-1, 1-5, 1-8, EC 8) using the results of the global analysis for the cross-section and stability checks without the need of additional design parameters (buckling length, loading case etc.). After the automatic selection of the dominant load combinations and design formulas the colored graphical capacity view of the model spectacularly shows the weakest parts of the structure.

Results and documentation

 In ConSteel 4.0 there is a powerful and easy-to-use documentation engine in order to create precise, easily editable static documents that meet the requirements of the structural engineers and all the other members of the project.
Thanks to the different settings documents can be created with more or less details. Images can be taken about any part of the model and can be inserted into the document. Adding text chapters and tables are also possible. Any undesired column of a table or a part of a chapter can be deleted. If any changes made on the model the content of the document can be updated with only one click.

Cross-section

The wide functionality of the ConSteel connected with cross-sections suggested detaching a separate module: csSection. This module collects all the tools relate to the creation, property calculation, stress analysis and standard design of a cross-section. Two parallel modeling possibility exist: the General Solid Section (GSS) is an accurate finite element based surface model for any kind of cross-sections including inhomogeneous material (reinforced concrete, composite sections), the Elastic Plate Segment  (EPS) is a thin-walled model specially for steel profiles. The steel standard design formulas are easy to evaluate on the EPS model including the real effective section generation of class 4 cross-sections based on the sectional forces resulted from the structural analysis.

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Structural joint

In the ConSteel design approach great emphasis is placed on the integrated modeling and calculation of the global structure and its connections therefore a powerful joint analysis engine is developed as a separate module: csJoint. A great range of different joint types can be created easily applying several special connection elements, the design tools covers practically the whole joint standard Eurocode 3 Part 1-8. A joint can be defined alone or based on the global model by the automatic joint identification tool. A prepared joint can be placed several parts of the global model to make the joint integral part of it. A placed joint is always automatically rechecked based on the current analysis results, and the connection stiffness is also updated modifying the global model consequently.

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Model export

The smooth and quick transition from the structural model to the detailing model can save significant time and cost, therefore the ConSteel has a high level interface module to Tekla Structures, StruCad and Bocad*. Besides the export of the global structural model all the joint models appear in ConSteel have the corresponding joint detailing macro, so the designed structural model with the placed joint models can be converted in one piece easily into detailing model without additional drawing efforts on the joints.

* planned to be released in 2012