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Stability design

In structural engineering, ensuring the stability and integrity of a structure against buckling is crucial. However, engineers frequently face limitations in conventional software, where buckling analysis is oversimplified or disconnected from the design process.

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In Consteel, advanced buckling analysis is directly integrated into the design process, serving automatic stability design based on the 'General Method’ of EN 1993-1-1 6.3.4. Stability phenomena become visible, making them easier to understand and manage.

Our software empowers you with comprehensive resources to broaden your knowledge base and find solutions in this complex design area while rediscovering the joy of structural design.

Specific Feature Solutions for Stability design in Consteel

Buckling sensitivity analysis

The global model-based buckling analysis results a number of different, yet still relevant buckling shapes. For the design of individual structural members, identifying the critical buckling shapes and their associated slenderness values is essential. Buckling sensitivity analysis is an efficient tool that provides these key insights. It determines the critical structural members based on the deformation energies of the buckling mode shapes. This innovative procedure – developed by Consteel – eliminates the need for manually defining stability design parameters (buckling lengths, unrestrained lengths), while still accurately reflecting the real structural configuration.

Imperfection analysis

Direct consideration of structural imperfections is often required by the code, while in other cases, it represents a compelling alternative solution for stability design. In Consteel, any type of global imperfection – whether it’s initial bow, sway, or notional load – can be easily defined and and their effects can be precisely calculated thanks to the unique 7 DOF finite element and complete second order analysis. The appropriate definition of the amplitude of imperfections is vital, which is neither explicitly ruled in the standard nor simple to determine. Consteel provies a unique development of its own to handle this problem. The Overall Imperfection Method automatically determines imperfection amplitudes using standard buckling and lateral-torsional buckling curves combined with buckling analysis, leading the imperfection analysis to results that are completely consistent with the reduction factor method.  

Automatic buckling design based on the ‘General Method’

General Method is the smartest way of stability design, described in EN 1993-1-1. It is applicable for any complex cases of out-of-plane buckling problems (flexural, torsional, and lateral-torsional buckling, and any interactions of these) with arbitrary members, loading and support conditions. Based on the global buckling and sensitivity analysis, it provides a comprehensive and automatic solution for stability design.

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.

Global buckling analysis

Global buckling analysis serves Consteel’s automatic stability design based on the General Method of EN 1993-1-1. It is a linear eigenvalue analysis performed on the whole structural model calculating the elastic critical load levels and connected buckling shapes showing the relevant modes of stability loss. All global buckling modes (flexural, torsional, and lateral-torsional buckling, and any interactions of these) are calculated, visualized and can be used for automatic design.

Complete second-order analysis

On a spatially deformed slender steel bar member, the acting loads cause secondary effects way more complex than the well-known P-δ effect. With Consteel’s 7 DOF finite element, the second-order effects caused by loads on every spatial deformation component can be calculated. Consequently, the effects of any kind of imperfection, eccentricity of loads, supports or joints on deformations and internal forces can be considered in the design.  

ReferenceS by OUR users

How can Consteel IMPROVE your work?

Hungexpo Project, Arrival Hall

A real case study on advanced parametric BIM workflow.

The Hungexpo Budapest Fair is going through a massive revitalization. This project includes the new Arrival Hall Building, an attractive propeller-shaped building. A building with such geometric complexity requires advanced design methods and multi-platform collaboration. In this article, we aim to give an insight into the open BIM environment and parametric design methods used in the design process. 

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.

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Example ModelS

Warehouse building example for Overall Imperfection Method

Warehouse building example for Overall Imperfection Method in Consteel

Watch our user guide about How to use the Overall Imperfection Method to learn more.
Version: CS14.831

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