2024.c Version

As of version 2024.c, CYPECAD now allows users to include electrowelded mesh for use in the analysis of flat slabs in a similar way to the use of the base reinforcement. As well as designing the reinforcement taking into account the electrowelded mesh, the program also allows users to detail the reinforcement, obtain reports and drawings as well as detailed measurements of the reinforcement.

Electrowelded meshes are part of a new CYPECAD module, so in order to use them, users must have the corresponding permission in their user license.

Electrowelded mesh and base reinforcement

For analysis purposes, the electrowelded mesh and the base reinforcement are treated in the same way, bearing in mind that, when designing the slab reinforcement, both elements provide a uniform mechanical ratio throughout the slab.

For flat slabs, the program now allows users to choose between assigning base reinforcement or electrowelded mesh.

When selecting the "Electrowelded meshes" option, the program allows users to choose from all the references defined in the library. New meshes can be added to the library by defining their reference and characteristics.

The X and Y axes of the mesh can be made to coincide with the reinforcement axes of the slab, or they can be rotated by 90°.

The program designs the necessary reinforcement bars in addition to the mesh, using the reinforcement tables for slabs with electrowelded mesh.

Editing electrowelded meshes

If meshes have been assigned to any of the panels, the "Electrowelded meshes" option will be activated in the "Flat/Waffle slabs" menu in the "Results" tab. After analysing the job, the program will automatically generate a mesh distribution proposal for the top and bottom reinforcement of the flat slab sections, which can be checked and modified using this option (Electrowelded meshes). The editor allows users to delete, move and trim the existing meshes. It also includes different features to make it easier to enter new mesh in the desired areas.

The criteria for automatically generating the mesh distribution can be configured in the menu "Job" > "Floor slab options" > "Generation of electrowelded meshes".

The layout of the electrowelded meshes should ensure that the floor slab panel is completely covered by the mesh panels, taking into account that each panel should overlap with the next one in the overlapping area.

Electrowelded meshes report

The "Reports" menu of the program includes the new "Electrowelded meshes" report, which contains information on the types of mesh used in the job as well as their characteristics and the quantity of panels per floor, taking into account, where appropriate, the necessary trimming to adapt them to the geometry of the floor slab.

Electrowelded meshes drawing

The "Drawings" menu of the program includes the new "Electrowelded mesh" type of drawing. As with other CYPECAD floor plans, the elements to be shown can be configured in this drawing by means of a series of options.

The drawing shows a floor with the layout of the electrowelded meshes, a detailed model of the different meshes used in the job, and details of each of the trimmed panels. A summary table with the quantities and weights of each of the elements in the drawing is also included.

In version 2024.c, editing resources are now included in the editing of each frame. The main purpose of this new feature is to be able to add notes on the detailing of the reinforcement in order to finish editing in another CAD program.

CYPECAD version 2024.c includes the following improvements and corrections to the program for some specific cases:

• The "Redesign" option has been added ("Results" tab > "Flat/Waffle slabs" menu. This option already existed in the same menu, in the "Match reinforcement" option. By launching it, the groups of flat or waffle slabs in which any modifications have previously been made to the base reinforcement, electrowelded mesh or matching lines are redesigned.
  
  
• An error that occurred when checking contour lines when a minimum value was set higher than the maximum value of the current view has been fixed.
  
  
• An error that occurred in "BIMserver.center > Share" if there was a corbel associated with a column that was exempt on the lower floor has been fixed.
  
  
• In "General options" > "General drawing options", users can now display the axes corresponding to the symbols of the flat slab floors identified with a red colour for the X-axis direction and a green colour for the Y-axis direction.
  
  
• The import of IFCs for walls where the program that generates the IFC does not describe the material layers has been improved. In these cases, the wall thickness is obtained from the specific property for the measurement.
  
  
• In the frame editor, an error that could occur in some specific cases when extending a reinforcement bar after having changed the "Assembly options" to "On-site" has been fixed.
  
  
• The export to Arquimedes and BC3 files has been improved. For the blinding concrete surface, a value of 0 was previously exported for a foundation beam in contact with slabs on the ground, which was not embedded in a slab.
  
  
• An error that could very occasionally occur in "Results > Envelope > Analytical Model" and in "BIMserver.centre > Share" if the "Analytical Model" option was checked, has been fixed.
  
  
• The 3D view of walls has been improved. In the case of beams embedded in the wall, the lower and upper sections of the wall overlapped with the beam. This has occurred since version 2022.c due to the changes made for the implementation of "Concrete wall continuous reinforcement in intermediate floors".
  
  
• The drawing of "Sections" has been improved. In waffle slabs with different rib widths in x and y, these would be displayed as interchanged.
  
  
• An error that occurred when a wall was in contact with a slab whose plane was not parallel to the plane assigned to the beam associated with the wall has been solved. A warning is now displayed so that users can resolve this situation.
  
  
• An error that occurred when generating the "Reinforced concrete and masonry wall elevations" drawing in the case of walls in contact with timber joist floor slabs has been fixed.
  
  
• An error in the geometry check options of the groups has been fixed. After the check was carried out, the information for linear or point loads outside the plan was not displayed. This error appeared in version 2024.a when another error was fixed.
  
  
• An error that could very rarely occur when displaying the 3D view of a job in which non-rectangular pile caps had been defined and which had intersections with centring or tie beams, has been fixed.
  
  
• An error that occurred when checking envelopes of composite beams has been fixed. Due to a correction in a recent version, this error arose and only affected composite beams.
  
  
• The update of DXF/DWG templates has been improved. When updating templates, if new layers appear, they are made visible automatically. Before, they had to be activated manually.
  
  
• The "Beams" > "Define beam" and "Beams > Adjust" snaps have been improved. The "Columns", "Walls" and "Beams" lines from "BIM model templates" are now taken into account.
  
  
• The copying of "Editing resources" from one floor to another has been improved. Results no longer need to be lost in order to make a copy of these elements.
  
  
• The checking of the flexural strength of columns, in accordance with ACI 318-19 Article 18.7.3.1, by considering the increased axial force in addition to the continuity of the column above the checking point has been improved.