It has been 4 years now that IDEA StatiCa Steel has been introduced to the engineering world, and it has already made a huge impact on the way that Structural engineers analyze and design Steel connections, offering a true revolution and significant advantages on time-saving, productivity and safety of steel structures.
As more an more consulting firms and Steel fabricators are implementing it in their design workflows, there is an increasing interest from engineers around the globe to know more about this exciting new technology. In this article, I tried to include briefly the 3 main questions that someone might ask
And here they are:
1. What is IDEA StatiCa Steel?
It is a unique software for code-checking of structural steel connections based on FEM, that bridged a big gap in structural engineering (design of complex steel connections) by being the first software to offer total freedom in geometry and loading.
2. What is so unique about it?
IDEA StatiCa Steel is currently the only software that is based on the new CBFEM method – which is an evolution of the standard Component method – and a major step forward in the analysis and check of steel joints of general shapes and loading.
CBFEM (Component Based Finite Element Model) is a combination of two well-known and trusted methods used by engineers all around the world – Finite Element method and Component method.
3. What does it offer?
3.1. Total freedom in the topology (2D or 3D)
Before IDEA StatiCa, all connection design softwares were limited to the number of possible joint topologies, simply because of the fact that they are all based on the Component method, which can give reliable and accurate results for simple topologies, but simply isn’t enough for more complex ones. CBFEM doesn’t have these limitations.
3.2. Compliance with international codes
IDEA StatiCa complies fully with international design codes, by offering full checks for plates, bolds, and welds. The general approach of CBFEM allows the software to overcome the limitations of the codes when it comes to complex geometries, and actually provide reliable checks even in cases where codes are insufficient (e.g. multiplanar hollow section joints)
3.3. Advanced analysis & checks
IDEA StatiCa has implemented in a very easy-to-use way, some analysis types that until now were only possible through very high-end and very difficult to use Finite element software. Simply said, it made Finite Element Analysis possible to all structural engineers, even those who didn’t have any previous experience.
3.4. Advanced elements
Steel connections can be really complex sometimes, and there are many special elements that are used in real life, that until now could not be simulated by standard connection design software. IDEA StatiCa is currently supporting the following elements:
3.5. BIM links to other software
As a software, we are dedicated to the analysis & design of details (e.g. connections) – which of course are part of a bigger structure and is analyzed or drafted in another software. Following the BIM philosophy, we want to help you speed up the analysis and design process by importing data model from the most widespread FEA and CAD programs, thus saving you a great amount of time but also eliminating possible errors from manual input.
Source: www.ideastatica.uk