fbpx

Summer Sale! Join the 'Design of steel industrial halls in 2D with Consteel' online training by 16 June and enjoy a discounted price!

Cold-formed structures

Cold-formed structures represent a rapidly evolving sector within the construction industry, offering the freedom to develop innovative cross-sections. However, understanding the true behavior of such structures, like local and distortional buckling, proves exceedingly complex, requiring sophisticated analysis and design tools.

No credit card required

Our software is uniquely tailored to meet the demands of designing cold-formed structures, boasting fundamental functionalities that align seamlessly with these requirements. Complemented by targeted features (purlin lines, shear field), our platform offers a comprehensive solution for optimization.

With Consteel’s toolset at your disposal, each project becomes a journey of exploration and fulfillment, reigniting the excitement and fascination inherent in structural engineering.

Cold-formed steel specific feature solutions in Consteel

Parametric cold-formed profiles

Extended possibilities are provided for our users to define the most commonly used types of cold-formed sections parametrically. Z, C, Sigma, Zeta, hat, L and closed profiles are all available with possible web, flange and edge stiffeners where applicable. Definition is straightforward and design is handled through General Method in a fully Eurocode-conform way with the consideration of supplementary rules of EN 1993-1-3.

Adaptive eccentricity of loads and supports

Loads and supports are placed on the members‘ reference line by default which corresponds to the gravity center of the cross-section. Defining eccentricities is also possible. Eccentricities are always relative to the cross-section’s dedicated points and so the placement of the load or the support adopt to the changes of the section.

Local and distortional buckling design of parametric cold-formed profiles

In Consteel, numerous different cold-formed sections can be defined parametrically, including Z, C, U, Sigma, Zeta and hat sections with variations of edge, flange and web stiffeners. Complete design calculation is provided for all of them considering local buckling according to EN 1993-1-5 and distortional buckling as per EN 1993-1-3 and interaction of those, fully automatically.

Easy modeling of purlins – Purlinline

Considering shear and rotational restraints provided by the various types of sheeting is unavoidable during cold-formed purlin design. In Consteel, the definition of these restraints is practical for everyday use and supplemented with an automatically applied special purlin design mode of analysis and design calculations. As purlins can be modelled as integrated parts of the structural model, their restraining effect to the main structure can also be considered.

Easy modeling of the effect of sheeting – Shear field

Considering the shear restraint of trapezoidal steel decking is always a question. Can the floor beams be considered as fully restrained or not? In Consteel, various types of trapezoidal sheetings are available and the actual shear stiffness of the application can be calculated either by the Eurocode or with methods provided by producers. Consequently, the actual shear restraints can be applied in the analysis and automatic design of the beams.

How can consteel enhance your work?

Advanced modeling and structural analysis of photovoltaic tracking systems

This time, we will take a look at the pioneering technologies used and developed by one of our customers, as well as the implementation in Consteel software for the structural design process, which has allowed them to evaluate and design to the significant loads that a solar panel support structure can be subjected to. The benefits of using Consteel in terms of workflow and productivity will also be demonstrated.

Array Technologies (STI Norland) is a company founded in Spain dedicated to the construction and implementation of photovoltaic utilization projects, including both tracking systems and fixed systems. In 2002, it built the world’s first solar tracking plant in Navarra.

ReferenceS by OUR users

TRUSTED EXPERIENCE

ConSteel Solutions Ltd. is a software developer company specialized in structural analysis and design for steel, composite structures with more than 25 years of experience in steel design.

Pioneer innovations

We continuously research and implement the most modern ways of steel design based on high-level, integrated numerical analysis. We are also seriously dealing with design issues outside of the standard methods in order to offer practical solutions for the engineers in these complex fields as well.

Unparalleled support

With Consteel, you benefit from expert local support and valuable guidance at every stage, provided by our highly regarded and experienced support team. We’re proud that our users are satisfied with the support they receive.

knowledge behind consteel

Example ModelS

Perform buckling checks for cold-formed members

Did you know that you could use Consteel to perform local and distortional buckling checks for cold-formed members?
Download the example model and try it!

Connected categories

What can you do with Consteel?

Select a category from the building types

Halls and hangars
Solar panel systems
More building types

What can you do with Consteel?

Select a category from the design problems

Distortional buckling of cold-formed profiles
Torsion and warping
Purlin design
More design problems