Let me introduce you 5 of the most recent shortcuts in the connection designing workflow you can use to spare some precious time.
#1 BIM-links
The BIM interconnections between calculation FEA structural software and model detailing CAD applications are well known. You can use global structure geometry, boundary conditions, material and cross-section properties from one software and use it in the other.
But what about the assessment of the member connections?
There are several connection-detailing applications, which made it possible to model a 3D model of every connection down to the smallest detail. But when you want to check whether everything works as it should, you had to model a separate calculation model with a high degree of inaccuracy.
It can be history now!
There is no faster way to assess any complex steel structure connection and create the code-check report. With the use of the BIM-link feature developed and implemented in IDEA StatiCa products, you can avoid duplication of work.
It takes no more than three basic steps:
- Export the connection from your CAD app into IDEA StatiCa Connection. You can simply use the 3D model you already detailed in the CAD application.
- Export the loading from your FEA app into IDEA StatiCa Connection, where you apply node internal forces already calculated in your global calculation model.
- You finally mix both these inputs in IDEA StatiCa and you are will be able to check everything you are interested in.
Of course, sometimes you have to optimize the connection after the first attempt, but with the ‘synchronize’ function the iteration process feels more like fun than the work.
Okay - maybe it’s not fun for long if you still have to do this checking for several joints one after another. That’s why the ‘bulk selection’ was created! With this feature, you can select several connections at once and assess them automatically. Our blog post - Bulk selection deals with this topic in further detail.
