Limcon Steel Connection Design Software Crack NEW!
Halima Leisch
Steel connection design is a laborious exercise. Doingthings by hand could quickly become very tedious oreven impractical considering multitude of checks that needto be carried out to comply with code requirements.
With the general availability of Microsoft Excel, most ofthese checks can be automated. AISC 360, BS 5950 andEurocode 3 (EN 1993) steel codes provide extensive formulasthat can be implemented in a spreadsheet. Many designcompanies would typically develop their own in-housespreadsheets to perform simple steel connection design forcommon applications. As the connections become more complex,the designer turns to a dedicated steel connection softwarepackage.
Limcon is easy to use and has a good reputation amongbuilding officials and third-party design reviewers (perhapsthe association with Bentley carriers some weight). Itperforms several checks including the validity of thegeometrical configuration of the connection. For example, itwarns the user if the bolt spacing is too close or if theplate edge distance is insufficient.
Limcon strictly follows its built-in geometric configurationwhich could be inflexible if your connection is slightlydifferent. The software will refuse to proceed with thedesign once it detects user configuration outside itspredefined scope. In such cases, you may be forced to makesome conservative engineering judgment and attempt to modifythe input model for Limcon to accept, then interpret theoutput for your final connection design.
PROKON, Limcon and RAM Connection can only designconnections which are predefined in their own libraries.Oftentimes you would encounter a non-regular connection thatis not suitable for these software. For such cases, youmight create a finite element model in a FEA tool likeSAP2000 then assess the stresses against limits. Thisapproach is not only time-consuming but does not provide acomplete solution due to difficulty in modelling welds,anchors, or the non-linear behaviour of the materials orcontact. Fortunately, a dedicated finite element connectiondesign tool is available in the market.
IDEA StatiCais a steel connection design software that allows structuralengineers to verify almost any type of connection geometry.It can design simple to very complex connections such as theone shown below.
The software gives you the freedom to model almost anyconnection topology. When starting a connection design, youmay choose from one of the available templates or start witha blank canvas then build your components from it.
IDEA StatiCa can perform all sorts of design checks such asverification of overall utilization (plates, bolts, weld),stress checks, buckling analysis, and stiffness analysis todetermine whether your connection is fixed, semi-rigid, orpinned.
Limcon is productivity-geared steel connection design software. Connection types include beam to column, brace end, member splices, anchorage to concrete, and complicated multi-member joints. By using a library of standard connection types, designers can arrive at results in a remarkably short time.
Limcon offers additional codes and connections as a companion to RAM Connection, which is Bentley's premier connection design software. Use Limcon for Australian and Canadian connection checks as well as HSS to HSS connections.
In accordance with the Bentley Desktop Software Support Policy, V8i versions of Bentley software are now in an 'Expiring Support' phase. This includes the connection design software Limcon, which is a V8i application. In July 2019, all Limcon users were transitioned to the RAM Connection application. RAM Connection, like Limcon, is a desktop application specializing in the design and optimization of structural steel connections, with support for AISC, CSA, EN, BS, IS, GB, AS, and NZ standards. RAM Connection offers key advantages over Limcon. Please refer to this detailed comparison between Limcon and RAM Connection for more information.
Where I work we mainly use RAM connection because it's fast and has a lot of connections. However when we have to design more complex connections which are not standard we use Idea Statica because it can handle much more complex connections. The downside of Idea Statica is that it's a little slower. I was just wondering what other programs you use and which is the best in your opinion.
Review and Design steel fittings and connections.
Wide range of supported types of fitting and connections.
Generate a brief design report.
Generate 2D maps directly from the structural model design.
Built-in library of standard connections for quick design and review.
RAM Connection is steel connection analysis and design software for virtually any connection type. You can easily verify your connections in seconds, with comprehensive calculations, including seismic compliance. RAM Connection is proven to increase productivity with optimized workflows and full integration of 3D design models.
RAM Connection is the ideal solution when structural engineers or designers need to check a specific connection, design a single connection for multiple joints, or optimize each connection in a structure.
Quickly design and review your steel connections, such as beam to column, brace end, member splices, anchorage to concrete, complicated multi-member joints, and many more. Thanks to our library of international standard connection types, you save time and money by quickly designing connections and producing your CAD drawings all within one easy-to-use application. You can easily verify your connection results and quickly generate a concise design report summarizing all checks and connection statuses.
Comply with seismic requirements
Design and detail seismic force-resisting systems, generating seismic loads according to the relevant building code. Consider these forces in the design of elements and, where applicable, the design of frames and the larger structural system. Enforce the ductility requirements of the selected design code in element proportioning and detailing.
Design structural steel connections
Design and detail structural steel connections, including beam-to-beam, beam-to-column, brace end, and complex multi-member connections. Simplify the arrangement of plates, stiffeners, bolts, and welds with a comprehensive library of standard connection types. Easily compare the economy and practicality of connection scenarios.
Design to international standards
Extend the reach of your business practice and take advantage of global design opportunities by using a wide range of international standards and specifications in our design products. Complete your designs with confidence thanks to extensive support of international standards.
Produce structural design documentation
Generate structural design documents including necessary plans and elevations that are used to convey the design intent. Changes made to the 3D model are automatically updated in the documentation.
Produce structural details
Produce detailed 2D drawings directly from design results established in the structural model. Customize the style and format of the drawings using settings offered within the software.
Steel connections serve to connect two or more structural elements made of steel. We use a design process to analyse and calculate the strength and stability of such connections so as to ensure the strength and stability of the structure itself.
On that end, most experts agree that typical details, especially of standard structures, are efficient enough that it makes the design process and detailing of structures and steel connections pretty straightforward. In other cases, some engineers tend to overcomplicate things and end up with a complex and intricate connection with somewhat compromised durability.
Generally speaking, steel connections can be classified into three different subcategories. All of these classifications can help in the design process as they can help narrow down solution choices based on practical reasons.
They have more or less replaced rivets entirely as they were a solid alternative to lower installation costs, and they were also easier to install and maintain. There are two main bolt types commonly used in steel construction designs, and these are preloaded and non-preloaded bolts, which are all divided into classes (or grades) based on their strength, with classes 8.8 and 10.9 being the most prevalent. There are certain situations which need to be taken into consideration, such as the fact that they can loosen under vibratory loads, which can compromise overall structural strength. In such cases, special bolt assemblies should be used to prevent this phenomenon. Of course, making periodic inspections of the main connections is vital to ensuring that the nuts are properly tightened.
These connections also have a rather simple design and only require little material and a few parts. One of the problems that may arise is that welds tend to shrink, and this needs to be taken into consideration during the design phase, especially in the case of more massive welds. Additionally, inspecting the welds can be a challenge, and because of this, maintenance may be more difficult and expensive. Still, different weld types will also have different qualities, so taking a closer look at them is essential before opting for one in the design process. Welding is mostly carried out in fabrication shops under controlled conditions rather than onsite since the weld quality can be compromised due to external factors.
The Finite Element Analysis, or FEA, serves to obtain internal forces and deformations that are used for analysing the strength and stability of the structure as well as its connections, and as such it has become a cornerstone of structural engineering and steel connection design.
For the most part, experts recommend using a full-scope software solution that can design non-regular connections as well. While Limcon, Ram, and PROKON are all solid go-to options in connection design, they are only able to work with connections that are already predefined in their libraries. In these cases, engineers need to create additional models in FEA tools to assess stress limits, which is a time-consuming process. This, however, may make things a bit more complex due to complications in modelling the welds, material non-linearities, non-linear contacts between the connecting members etc.
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