Consteel offers a range of load combination filtering options, which can be applied based on limit states, load cases, and analysis and design results. By applying different series of filters, designers can streamline their workflow and reduce calculation time.

Filtering options

Filtering is realized through the Load combination set definition window.

Filtering by limit states and by load cases are handled together with the checkboxes under the Limit states and Load cases buttons.

The 3-state checkboxes affect each other as they are not only used for selection but also for indication of the content. They can be manually set only to checked or unchecked. The middle state only appears when other filters are applied.

Filtering by limit states or load cases does not require any calculation results.

Filter by rules, on the other hand,is based on the actual analysis and/or design results. Different types of rules can be applied one by one or at the same time to select the desired load combinations.

When a rule is applied, all the load combinations that are selected on the Load combination set definition dialog- either with filtering by limit states/load cases or checked in manually- are examined at every position the rule indicates. Load combinations that meet the rule’s criteria are selected (remain checked in), while those that do not, become unchecked.

• With analysis rules, load combinations can be selected based on deformations or internal forces at either every finite element node or only at the member ends. This last one is included specifically for connection design. Deformations are checked in SLS combinations, internal forces are checked in ULS combinations only.
• With buckling rules, those ULS load combinations can be selected which have the elastic critical load factor (first buckling eigenvalue) less than the given limit.
• With design rules, load combinations can be selected based on utility ratios checked in every finite element node of the chosen portion. Utilizations are available from several design checks: dominant results and detailed verifications for steel elements such as general elastic cross-section check, pure resistances, interactions and global stability. Only ULS combinations can be filtered with design rules.

Interaction of the different filter types

Let’s see an example.

It is a simple 2D frame model, with 27 load combinations of various limit states generated. Analysis and design results are calculated for all load combinations.

If applying design rule to select only those load combinations which result dominant utilization over 50%,

4 load combinations will be selected (Load combination set 1):

But if ULS Accidental limit state is turned off before applying the same 50% filter,  

only one load combination is selected (see Load combination set 2).

Application of multiple rules

Applying multiple rules together results in the sum of the lists that would have been created separately.

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Gewöhnlich zeigt traditionelle baustatische Software die Verformungen von Balken mit ihren Querschnitten auf der verformten Schwerachse. ConSteel 15 dagegen benutzt eine fortschrittliche Methode für Deformationsdarstellungen, die feiner und realistischer ist. Natürlich sind die numerischen Ergebnisse identisch, aber mit der verfeinerten Visualisierung kann das 3D-Verhalten der Balkenstruktur besser erkannt werden.

Comparison of chosen methods for estimation of critical lateral torsional buckling bending moment of web-tapered I-beams. In this article, the elastic critical bending moments of the web-tapered I-beams calculated by the analytical and numerical solutions developed last years by researchers involved in the topic were compared with own calculations carried out with available common tools. The main goal was to verify the accuracy and convergence of the results provided by different modern methods and different finite bar elements 1D with 7 degrees od freedom at the node (7DOF).

Click the button bellow to download and read the full article. (PL)

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Consteel 14 is a powerful analysis and design software for structural engineers. Watch our video how to get started with Consteel.

Contents

• Set analysis parameters
• Perform first and second order analysis
• Perform buckling analysis
• Analysis results in graphics and in tables
• Results: deformation, internal forces, reactions

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Introduction

As you may already know, you can check the max, min and min-max envelope diagrams for (first and second order) analysis results in Consteel. But you can also create your own envelope figures…

How it works

By default the envelope figures can be requested for ULS and SLS combinations. These default options will use the results of all of the calculated ULS or SLS load combinations:

To create your own envelope figures:

If you choose the Define envelope figure… option from the load combinations dropdown menu of the analysis tab, you will get the User defined envelopedialog:

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Introduction

In case of a model with a lot of load cases (wind in different directions, with and without internal pressure, snow,seismic etc.), hundreds of load combinations can be generated acc. to EC but many of these combinations are irrelevant. Running an Analysis on all of the load combinations can take a lot of time, that could be saved, if the relevant load combinations are calculated only.

How to do that

1. To find the relevant load combinations and save calculation time: At first perform only elastic first order analysis and global checks based on that. Even first order calculation can take much time if there are non-linear elements (practically tension-only rods) in the model. It is possible to temporarily change the non-linear elements to linear ones in order to let Consteel calculate the load combination analysis results with superposition of the load cases which is much quicker than calculation with non-linear elements.

2. Under the Global checks tab, on the results table, selection of the load combinations with significant utilization can be done. (As on all tables in Consteel, multiple selection of different load combinations can be performed easily using Ctrl+select, or Shift+select features of Windows) With a right click on the selected combinations, use Select only these combination for the Analysis function to apply your choice to the next run.

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