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Consteel Structural Design Software

website·Indexed 32 days ago

https://docs.consteelsoftware.com

Documentation for Consteel structural analysis and design software, covering versions 18 and 19. Includes guides on structural loads, finite elements, mass cases, earthquake analysis, and standard design for steel, reinforced concrete, and composite columns. Also features the FALCON plugin for alternative wind load computation using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and OpenFOAM.

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What's inside Consteel

  1. Overview of Superbeam dual-modeling

    Superbeam allows structural parts to be defined and modified as simple 7DOF beam elements for ease of modeling, while providing the option to perform analysis using a consistently generated shell FE model. This enables the inclusion of detailed features like web cut-outs and stiffeners in the analysis without complicating the initial model definition. Users can switch between the beam FE model and the shell FE model adaptively.

  2. Overview of Standard Design capabilities in Consteel 16

    Consteel 16 provides structural design evaluation for steel, concrete, and composite structures across three primary tabs: Global checks, Member checks, and Serviceability checks. The software supports the following design standards:

    • Steel Structures: EuroCode (EN 1993-1-1, EN 1993-1-2, EN 1993-1-3, EN 1993-1-5) and Spanish standards (Structural Steel Code EAE).
    • Concrete Structures: EuroCode (EN 1992-1-1).
    • Composite Steel and Concrete Structures: EuroCode (EN 1994-1-1).

    Users can utilize implemented National Annexes or define and save custom user annexes.

  3. Overview of functional tabs in the graphical window

    Consteel organizes its workflow into functional tabs:

    • Geometry tab: Contains CAD drawing, modification, dimensioning, and measuring tools.
    • Structural members tab: Used for structural modeling, including cross-sections, members, plates, walls, frame corner wizards, diaphragms, rigid bodies, supports, and connections.
    • Loads tab: Used for creating load cases, load groups, combinations, meteorological loads, crane/train loads, and fire effects.

  4. Overview of Geometry Repair tools

    Geometry repair methods are used for the automatic correction of geometric modeling errors by modifying the coordinates of model space points. These tools operate on the entire model and affect all objects referencing the modified points, including lines, polygons, columns, beams, plates, diaphragms, supports, links, load transfer surfaces, and various load types. After running a method, a message window reports the number of points modified.

  5. Overview of the Frame Corner Wizard

    The Frame Corner Wizard is an optional function used to model and calculate the corner regions of structural models. It identifies corner zones where members overlap and applies specialized treatment to ensure the analysis reflects the fact that these stiffened zones behave differently (dominated by shear) than the connected beam members (dominated by bending). This affects geometrical modeling, buckling analysis, plastic analysis, and global checks.

  6. Overview of the FALCON Preprocessor

    The FALCON Preprocessor is an operational phase that prepares simulation cases for OpenFOAM. It performs two primary tasks: converting input geometry into a specific mesh format (supporting triangular, quadrilateral, or polygon 'Ngons' faces, as well as polylines) and generating a virtual wind tunnel consisting of wind profiles, finite volume element blocks, and boundaries. The resulting simulation case follows the OpenFOAM hierarchy: wind flow parameters are stored in the zero folder, mesh generation in constant and system, and solution/result query parameters in system.

  7. Overview of the FALCON Alternative Wind Load Preprocessor

    The FALCON preprocessor serves as an operational phase that prepares simulation cases for OpenFOAM. It performs two primary tasks: converting input geometry into a specific mesh format (supporting triangular, quadrilateral, or polygon 'Ngons' faces, as well as polylines for 'Foam Mesh' representation) and generating a virtual wind tunnel. This virtual tunnel includes a wind profile based on specified parameters and a geometric structure consisting of finite volume elements (blocks) and boundaries. The resulting simulation case follows the OpenFOAM hierarchy: wind flow parameters are stored in the zero folder, mesh generation in constant and system, and solution/result query parameters in system.

  8. Overview of the csJoint module

    The csJoint module provides design options based on the Eurocode EN 1993-1-8 standard. Joints can be created using automatic joint recognition from the structural model or created independently. Once placed on a structure, joints are automatically recalculated based on current analysis results, and connection stiffness can be integrated into the structural calculations. The module supports various strengthening options, including upper/lower haunches (with or without flanges), transverse web stiffeners, flange stiffeners, flange backing plates, and shear stiffeners (supplementary web plates, Morrison stiffeners, and single or double skew plate stiffeners).

  9. Overview of Superbeam dual-handling

    Superbeam allows structural parts to be modeled and modified using simple 7DOF beam elements for ease of use, while providing the option to perform analysis using a shell FE model for higher accuracy.

    Key characteristics:

    • Beam FE Model: Uses standard 7DOF beam finite elements for typical analysis and design.
    • Shell FE Model: Automatically generated during the finite element generation process. It includes shell finite elements and accounts for additional details such as web cut-outs and stiffeners.
    • Adaptive Workflow: Users can switch between beam and shell analysis options without changing the primary model definition.

  10. Overview of SELECT command selection types

    The SELECT command uses the following syntax: SELECT [Selection type] Selection parameters.... Available selection types include:

    • All: Selects all objects in the model.
    • Invert: Inverts the current selection.
    • By_ID: Selection by specific object ID(s).
    • By_Type: Selection by object type.
    • By_Attribute: Selection by object type and specific attribute(s).
    • By_User: Manual selection by the user during script execution.

  11. Overview of SELECT command selection types

    The SELECT command uses a Selection type parameter to determine how objects are chosen from the model. Available types include:

    • All: Selects all objects.
    • Invert: Inverts the current selection.
    • By_ID: Selection by specific object IDs.
    • By_Type: Selection by object type.
    • By_Attribute: Selection by object type and specific attributes.
    • By_User: Manual selection by the user during script execution.

  12. Overview of Descript for Consteel

    Descript is a scripting language for Consteel that allows users to execute Consteel functions through code. It enables the automation of sequences of actions within the software, which can be saved and reused. It is particularly useful for parametric work, where scripts can be run with different parameters to explore design possibilities, optimize solutions, or customize models.