In versions prior to 2024.b, if the braced frame was not rectangular, a warning message was displayed and the job could not be analysed. In the help text on the analysis of tie rods, the method’s validity conditions are listed. Among the conditions, the following is mentioned:
"The diagonal forms part of a braced frame framing the four edges, or three, if the stiffening bars reach two exterior fixities. Additionally, each panel must form a rectangle (the four internal angles being right angles)."
As of version 2024.b, the warning indicating that the braced frame is not rectangular is still displayed, but the job is not prevented from being analysed. The aim is to let users analyse structures even if the frames are not rectangular, but a warning is displayed. When the frames are not rectangular due to slight variations in their angles, the result may be acceptable depending on the structure.
However, if there are very deformed frames, the analysis is still blocked due to this warning. This situation will occur when the cut-off point between the tie rods is further from the midpoint than 10% of the tie rod length, or when the difference in tie rods is greater than 20%.
