csSection

GSS section model

The General Solid Section (GSS) was created in order to model any kind of cross sections as accurate as possible. The model dissolves the section with arbitrary shape into triangle elements, and calculates the sectional properties by the finite element method. The section can be assembled with any number of different materials and the automatic finite element mesh generates separate triangles for the certain materials controlling the mesh size according to the elastic properties of the material, consequently the module is appropriate for the exact modeling of reinforced concrete, composite or inhomogeneous steel sections.  Beyond the usual properties (sectional area, second moment of inertia, etc.) the GSS model precisely calculates the torsional and shear properties like St. Venant and warping moment of inertia, shear areas and factors, etc., and these accurate properties are used in the global analysis. The elastic normal, torsional and shear stresses can be also calculated on this model using a spectacular colored view. For reinforced concrete and composite sections the refined normal force-bending moment interactive 3D resistance surface can be generated with its coordinate plane and arbitrary 2D sections.

EPS section model

 The Elastic Plate Segment (EPS) model is a thin-walled simplification of the usually steel profiles from welded, hot-rolled or cold-formed sections. The model is very easy and fast to calculate and has accurate results for thin-walled sections compared with the GSS model, which can be used and run for the same section side by side. The model yields the same general, torsional and shear properties and stresses and moreover it calculates the static moments and sectional classes according to the Eurocode. The EPS model is also very suitable for the evaluation all of the standard design formulas in a very sophisticated way. In case of Class 4 profile the effective cross-section is automatically generated based on the proper sectional forces, and the standard procedures can be evaluated on this effective section.

Results and documentation 

The standard design procedures performed on the EPS model cover the major part of steel design methods in the Eurocode (the whole EC 3 1-1 and parts of EC 3 1-5) including the calculations of general elastic resistance, examination of pure cases, plastic and conservative interaction resistances of certain section types, web buckling analysis. For a given loading case the module determines the necessary and possible checks, performs all the standard calculations and evaluates the dominant case. Each analyzed cross-section can be separately documented in detail for both section design including the shape parameters, geometrical, mechanical and design results, and the generated documents can be attached to the main documentation of the global structure.