"Joints" tab
Options in the "Joints" tab
The upper tab "Joints" (accessible within the lower tab "Structure") contains the tools to perform the design and analysis of the structure's joints. The upper ribbon includes:
- in the first group, the options for entering a new connection at a node, at the end of a part or between a group of parts, deleting it or editing it;
- in the second group, the options for assigning the characteristics of one connection to another, grouping or ungrouping compatible joints, locking or unlocking joints so that they are not modified during the calculation, or searching for joints by their reference;
- and in the third group, the options for the automatic generation of joints and for consulting or modifying the values of the rotational stiffnesses assigned to the ends of the parts.
Available joints modules
Welded and bolted joints
You can find detailed information on each of the program’s joint modules via the following links:
These joints modules can be used in both CYPE 3D and CYPECAD (including integrated 3D structures).
| Note: |
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The types of fixed joints in the "Joints I", "Joints II" and "Joints V" modules are most commonly used in industrial buildings designed in CYPE 3D and in CYPECAD's integrated 3D structures, whilst the types of joints analysed by the “Joints III” and “Joints IV” modules have a broader scope of application in building structures consisting of frames analysed in CYPECAD. In any case, every joint analysed by any of the modules mentioned is solved in the same way in one program or another. In fact, the “Joints I”, “Joints II”, “Joints III” and “Joints IV” modules share common joint types. |
Baseplates
CYPE 3D offers several modules that enable the editing, checking and design of anchor plates: the "Baseplates" module and the "Joints I", "Joints II", "Joints III" and "Joints IV" modules.
The "Baseplates" module analyses baseplates for any layout of steel columns, whereas the aforementioned connection modules only analyse welded baseplates made from rolled and reinforced I-beams.
You can find detailed information about the specific baseplate module available in the program via the following link:
| Note: |
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| The types of joints that CYPE 3D can analyse correspond to the collections of connections available in each of these modules. Joints not covered by CYPE 3D can be defined and analysed in CYPE Connect or StruBIM Steel. The geometry data for the bars and the internal forces analysed in CYPE 3D can be exported to a BIMserver.center project and then imported into these programs. |
Entering joints
The following options, available in the upper toolbar of the "Joints" tab (in the "Structure" tab), are used to enter and remove joints in the structure.
If no joints have been entered, only the "New" and "Generate" options will be active.
New
The "New" option can be used to enter a joint manually in the model:
- To create a joint that considers all the bars in a node, select the node with the left mouse button. The joint editing window will open, where you can adjust the components of the joint. Then click on "Accept".
- To create a joint at the end of an element, e.g. a baseplate, select the end of the element with the left mouse button and click the right mouse button. You can also select the end node with the left mouse button if it is the only part that uses it. Similarly, the joint editing window is then accepted.
- To create a joint between a group of elements, select the elements with the left mouse button by clicking on an area close to the node where you want to create the joint and then press the right mouse button. The joint editing window is then accepted. More than one joint can be defined in the same node by selecting different groups of elements.
The created joint are shown in blue in the model viewer.
Delete
Once the joints have been entered in the project, the rest of the options are available in the "Joints" tab.
The "Delete" option can be used to delete the created joints by selecting them one by one with the left button or by using the crossing method to select several at the same time. Afterwards, right-click to confirm the removal.
Editing joints
Joints in the model are edited with the following option, available in the upper toolbar of the "Joints" tab (in the "Structure" tab).
Edit
After clicking on the "Edit" option, a joint or a group of joints is selected by left-clicking on them.
The program opens the corresponding editing window, with the sections listed below.
Reference (1)
First, the top box can be activated to assign a "Reference" to the selected joint.
Components (2)
On the left-hand side, the list of "Components" involved in the joint is presented, together with the "Edit" option to make modifications to each of them.
3D viewer (3)
In the central area, the joint is displayed in 3D. Each component shows its reference and section for easy identification.
To the left of the 3D view, there are visibility controls for the "Elements" of the joint. You can also modify the "Projection", the "Projection type" and use tools to rotate or cut the view.
Issues (4)
In the lower part, the list of "Issues" detected in the joint is displayed.
Possible warnings include: "The joint has not been defined", component definition errors, "No errors have been found" or "The project is not analysed".
Tools at the top(5)
At the top of the viewer, there are options for designing, checking and obtaining detailed information about the joint.
To the left of this area, there are options to "Undo" and "Redo" any changes applied to the components.
Lock (6)
If you wish to prevent the program from automatically modifying a joint when using the "Design" option, you can lock the joint by clicking on the corresponding button at the top right. To unlock it, simply click on the padlock icon again.
Finally, after clicking "Accept", you return to the general program interface. The joints will be displayed in different colours depending on whether or not all the checks have been verified.
Designing, checking and obtaining the report and detailing of each connection
The tools for designing, checking, and obtaining the complete report of the connection and the detailing of each connection individually are available at the top of the editing window.
This window is accessible by clicking the "Edit" button on each group of connections, within the top toolbar of the "Connections" tab (under the "Structure" section).
These tools are explained below.
Design
Using the "Design" option, the program automatically generates the necessary components in each part to comply with the relevant standards.
To define the "Connection method", you can choose between "All with welded connections", "All with bolted connections", or set a "Specific method for each element".
Regarding the "Connection elements", you can opt to "Use the defined configuration for the job" or "Use a specific configuration for this node".
In the latter case, by clicking "Options", you can define parameters related to bolts, stiffeners and baseplates.
Further down, the program displays the "Available joints modules" depending on the license. Each module can be reviewed by clicking the corresponding links.
After clicking "Accept", the program asks whether you wish to view the full report of the code checks performed on all elements of the connection.
Code checks
This report can also be generated via the "Code check" option located at the top of the viewer, which allows you to check the elements in their current state.
In the pop-up window that appears after pressing this button, you can select each "Element" from the left column.
At the top right, the "Verifications" carried out on that element are listed, including its "Status" (whether it is "Verified" or not) and the relevant "Zone".
By selecting each line, you can access the full details of the verification at the bottom, including standard references and calculations.
It is also possible to "View the complete listing" of the connection from the top right.
This report can be "Shared", "Exported" in various formats or "Printed".
Full report of the node
Another available option is to obtain the "Complete report of the node", which includes "Detail drawings", a "Description of the connection components", and summary "Verification" tables.
This report can also be "Shared", "Exported" or "Printed".
Detailing
With the "Detailing" options, a detailed view of the connection shell is generated. Although the general shell is printed along with the drawings, it is also possible to "Print the current view" directly from here.
Options for assigning, grouping, locking and searching for joints
The tools for assigning, grouping, locking and searching for joints are located on the top toolbar of the "Joints" tab (under the "Structure" tab).
These options become available once the joints have been created.
Assign
The "Assign" option allows you to copy data from one join to other joins of the same type that are compatible.
To do this, the joints must have:
- the same number and type of parts;
- the same relative positions in relation to one another;
- and the same connection defined at the node.
After clicking on the option, use the left mouse button to select the connection you wish to assign. This opens the connection editing window, which you must "Accept".
In the model view, the compatible joints detected by the program are highlighted. Joints with data different from the selected one are shown in yellow, whilst those with the same data are shown in orange.
Left-click on the joints you wish to match to the selected one, or select an area that encompasses them. To complete the operation, right-click.
Group
The "Group" option allows you to group one join with another of the same type that is compatible.
Click on the option, then select a joint or a group of joints in the model view.
Joints belonging to the group are shown in orange, and those belonging to other groups are shown in yellow. You can select the latter using the left mouse button to add them to the group, and then click the right mouse button to confirm.
The program sizes and checks grouped joints using the forces of the members in all the joints within the group. Furthermore, when the "Generate" option is used, the joints are grouped automatically.
Ungroup
The reverse operation is performed using "Ungroup". In this case, left-click on the object you wish to remove from the group. Then, confirm by right-clicking.
This option may be useful if one of the joints is subjected to stresses that are significantly greater than those on the others. By ungrouping it, you can avoid the other joints in the group being oversized.
Lock
The "Lock" option allows you to lock a joint so that it cannot be modified during the design process, thereby preserving any changes that have been made to it.
Once you have clicked on the option, locked joints are displayed in magenta and unlocked joints in blue. You can select the joints you wish to lock by left-clicking or by dragging to select an area, then confirming with a right-click.
If you attempt to "Edit" a locked union, a closed padlock will appear in the tooltip that pops up when you hover over it, and also in the top-right corner of the editing window if you click on it.
Unlock
If you wish to unlock a joint, you can click on the padlock in the edit window and select "Accept", or use the "Unlock" option in the "Joints" tab.
In this case, you select the joints using the left mouse button or by dragging to select an area, and confirm your selection using the right mouse button.
Search
To "Search" for a joint, click on the relevant option and enter its reference number.
If you wish to search for the link by entering the full text of the reference, tick the "Only whole word" box. If you untick it, you can enter part of the text of the link's reference.
The program will highlight the joints whose reference matches the text entered by surrounding them with a magenta box in the model view.
Generating joints
The automatic generation of the structure’s connections is carried out using the "Generate" option, available in the top toolbar of the "Joints" tab (under the "Structure" section).
If no joints have been entered, the options "New" and "Generate" are the only ones shown as active.
Generate
The "Generate" option allows you to generate the structure’s connections automatically. To do this, the program analyses all nodes in the project and assigns detected connections to those parts that do not already have a defined connection.
After clicking on the option, you must indicate whether you wish to group the generated connections where possible.
Later, in the "Information" window, the number of generated connections is displayed.
After clicking "Accept", all nodes where a connection has been detected and generated will appear in blue in the model viewer.
| Note: |
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| The generation of connections depends on the geometry of the connections, the number of bars and their cross-section, the orientation of the section, the parts created, and the presence or absence of hinges at the ends of the bars. If the program does not generate a connection at a specific point, these aspects can be reviewed so that the connection defined in the model matches one of the connection types the program is able to identify. |
Viewing and modifying rotational stiffness values
The rotational stiffness values at the ends of the bars in the model's joints can be reviewed and assigned using the "Rotational stiffnesses" option, available in the top toolbar of the "Joints" tab (under the "Structure" tab).
Accessing the "Options" window
Rotational stiffness values can only be viewed and modified if joints have been used in the structure for which it is necessary to define their rotational stiffness, due to the presence of deformable components, as is the case with bolted joints.
If this is not the case, the program will display a message when you click on the option stating that "No connections have been applied which require their rotational stiffness to be defined".
Alternatively, if the joints have not been sized, the programme will display the message "The rotational stiffness of the connections is going to be calculated", asking whether you wish to continue.
After selecting "Yes", the "Options" window opens, displaying the following two options.
Individual review of the assigned rotational stiffness values
The first option in the "Options" window, "Check the assigned rotational stiffness values", allows you to check the rotational stiffness values assigned to the ends of the bars in each joint group and compare them with the values suggested by the program following the analysis of the designed joints.
When you select this option and click "Accept", the ends of bars whose assigned stiffness differs significantly from that resulting from the joint analysis are highlighted in red.
When the cursor is positioned over the end of a bar with an analysed connection, the program displays a tooltip containing the messages associated with that end and highlights all the ends of bars that form part of the same type of connection and have been assigned the same rotational stiffness.
The message "The rotational stiffness has not been defined at this end" will be displayed if this has not yet been done.
Clicking the left mouse button on the desired end of the part opens the "Rotational stiffnesses" window.
"Rotational stiffness" window
The information displayed, and the options available in the "Rotational stiffness" window, are explained in detail below:
Assigning rotational stiffnesses and/or fixed-end coefficients in the xz and xy planes
The top-left corner displays information about the type of fixed support assigned to the end of the bar and the rotational stiffness value proposed by the program.
The program allows you to retain the original values or change them, both in the "xz plane" and the "xy plane". If you change the value, the change applies to all selected parts.
By default, the program leaves "Assign fixity at end" selected, with a "Fixity coefficient" value set to one.
You can enter a different coefficient or tick the "Rotational stiffness" box to enter its value directly in the units displayed by the program.
You can also "Assign the proposed rotational stiffness" and "Assign the initial rotational stiffness" calculated by the program in each of the planes based on the joint characteristics.
Coordinate system and sign convention
The bottom left-hand corner shows the "Coordinate system and sign convention" used in the analysis of the joints.
This system is defined by the X, Y and Z axes, with their origin at the centre of gravity of the cross-section of the section to be joined. The Y and Z axes lie within the plane in which the joint is made, and the positive direction of the X axis is directed towards the side from which the element to be joined is inserted. The X axis may not be parallel to the section axis if the element does not form a right angle with the plane of the joint.
The sign convention for positive values around the Y-axis is also shown.
Moment-rotation curve
On the right is a graph showing the "Behaviour of the connection for simple bending in plane xz", expressed by the moment-rotation curve.
In the title bar of the "Rotational stiffnesses" window, you can click the relevant button to open a "Help" window containing information on the construction and display of the characteristic moment-rotation diagram, which is unique to each joint.
After clicking "Accept" in the "Rotational stiffness" window, the program may display the message: "Due to the changes that have been carried out on the end fixities of the elements, the job will have to be re-analysed once the editing has concluded."
At this point, click "Accept" again. The program will highlight the ends of the bars whose rotational stiffnesses match those suggested by the program in green.
Automatically assigning the proposed rotational stiffness values to all parts
Rotational stiffness values can be assigned to all bars in the structure automatically. To do this, in the "Options" window that appears when you click on the "Rotational stiffnesses" option, you must tick the second option, "Assign the proposed rotational stiffness value to all the elements".
Therefore, the program assigns the values it proposes to all the ends of the bars for which a rotationally rigid connection has been analysed.
After clicking “Accept”, left-clicking on the ends of the component allows you to check the support conditions and rotational stiffness in the same way as described above.
Similarly, the ends of the component whose rotational stiffnesses match those proposed by the program3 are shown in green.
General considerations
We recommend analysing the structure again after reviewing the rotational stiffnesses, as any changes to these may affect the structure’s behaviour, particularly the rotation between components at a joint. This can be done via the “Analysis” tab by selecting the “Analyse” option in the “Stress / Strain” section.
Once the analysis has been carried out, the program may report that "There are elements which have been assigned an inadequate rotational stiffness value". In this case, it may be advisable to repeat the process of checking the rotational stiffness values until sufficiently accurate values are assigned, so that no warning messages appear in subsequent analyses.
Finally, it is worth noting that from the "Properties" tab, by using the "Embedding" option in the "Beams" section, after selecting the bars with the left mouse button and confirming with the right mouse button, you can view the rotational stiffness value applied to the ends of the bars following the previous operations.
Selecting the calculation method for the rotational stiffness
On the “Project” tab, under “General data”, by clicking on “Connections” and then on “Options”, the program allows you to choose the “Method for the calculation of the rotational stiffness at element ends” from either the “Component method” or the “Frye-Morris method”.
This option is only available for certain codes.
Table of contents
Complete your CYPE 3D journey by exploring the other available sections:
- Introduction
- Start: creating new projects, workflows, and examples
- Setting the work environment
- Setting the job data
- Defining the structure’s geometry
- Editing the properties of structural elements
- Entering and editing loads on the structure
- Designing and analysing connections
- Analyses, checks, and results
- Defining and editing reinforcement
- Designing and analysing foundation
- Printing documents and exporting data
CYPE 3D - "Joints" tab
Licenses and related modules
CYPE programs are activated via electronic licenses which may contain one or more modules. The list of modules compatible with each program may vary depending on the product purchased and the type of license.
To consult the list of modules compatible with this program, go to "CYPE program modules".
Please note that the list of modules available in the license will depend on the product purchased.
