Update history​

CYPE Connect

Automatic node generation options

An option has been implemented for automatically generating nodes based on the bars from the selected IFC files.

Up until version 2022.b, the program generated them automatically. As of now, users can decide whether they wish to generate them or not. The program generates nodes from the nearby bar ends.

BIM model viewing options

The management for viewing different BIM model files has been added to "View options".

Save default options for plate, bolt and electrode materials

The dialogue boxes for editing the data of plate, bolt and electrode materials include the "Save as default options" option. As soon as they are saved, each new operation will be created with this default data. This option allows users to automatically fill in data that is often common to a connection or a project, with no need to define them each time.

Design model for prestressed bolts

The analysis of bolted connections with prestressed bolts has been added. Up until version 2022.b, the design model for prestressed bolts and ordinary bolts did not change, although the sliding resistance check was carried out for prestressed bolts, in accordance with the selected code.

The prestressed bolts will no longer transmit shear forces through the support of the bolts on the plate and will be transmitted by means of the friction between them along with the transmission through the perimeter of the hole. The simplified model used allows the deformation in the support areas of the connected elements to be minimised.

  • Shear transmission by support on standard bolts
  • Shear transmission by friction on prestressed bolts

Assigning the placement of bolts as prestressed or ordinary is data attached to the bolt series, it can additionally be edited directly in the data panel of the bolt series in each operation. In the libraries added by default to the program, there are prestressed bolt series.

  • For the "Europe" library is series "EN 14399-3"
  • For "USA" libraries is series "F3125 (PT)"

New operation for adding stiffeners

A specific operation has been added for adding stiffeners to I-shaped and U-shaped cross sections. This operation adds the stiffeners and their welds to a section in a position that is relative to the flanges from another section and relative to the section’s local reference system. Options are included for selecting the side, slope, dimensions, etc.

Analysis with code AISC 360-16 (LRFD)

The AISC 360-16 (LRFD code has been implemented for analysing connections in accordance Eurocode 3 and Spanish code EAE.

Specific resistance checks and the layout of prestressed bolts, ordinary bolts and welds have been implemented. For plates, the program will verify that the equivalent Von Mises deformation value does not exceed 5% (EN1993-1-5, Annex C, Section C.8, Note 1).

The detailed checks will show the code’s reference article.

As of version 2022.b, welds will include an electrode material selection. This is carried out because the resistance check for fillet welds compares the required strength of the chord with the filler metal resistance. For codes where the filler metal is assumed to have a higher resistance than the plates to be joined (Eurocode 3 and EAE 2011), this selection will only be for documentation purposes and the selection may be left empty.

The USA element library has also been added with inch-pound units, USA (IP) and with metric units USA (M). These libraries include materials for sections and plates, the sections included in the AISC Shapes Database v.15, bolts, anchors and electrodes.

Implementation. ANSI/AISC 360-16 (LRFD)

Specification for Structural Steel Buildings (2016).

Implemented in CYPE Connect Steel and StruBIM Steel. In the previous version (2022.a), this code was already implemented in CYPECAD and CYPE 3D.

Clip volume

As of version 2022.b, applications with 3D drawing surroundings allow a viewing volume to be defined from the geometric envelope of the scene content. The arrows allow the viewing volume to be adjusted by moving their faces and the arches allow the viewing volume to be adjusted by means of 6 clips planes.

Exporting connections to the BIM model

Exporting the 3D view of the connections to the BIM model has been added. The defined connections in the assigned position will be exported.

Viewing options

Options for viewing the structure and drawing connections in a 3D view have been implemented.

These options allow sections to be represented by drawing their axis or the 3D model. Additionally, users can choose whether or not they wish to draw the defined connections.

Node management in the 3D view of the structure

Up until version 2022.a, the program automatically generated nodes when the project had been created by importing from a structure in IFC format.

In version 2022.a, node management from the 3D view of the structure has been added. The following tools have been added to the top bar of options.

  • Create a node by selecting sections in the 3D view.
  • Edit the selected node in the 3D view.
  • Delete the selected node in the 3D view.
  • Edit the selected connection in the 3D view.
  • Coordinates of the positions of the nodes. This option allows nodes to be located in the space.

The 3D view of the node selected from the node list will be displayed in the lower-left window. If a structure has been imported, it will be shown in the window on the right.

The nodes in the list on the left are managed from the bar of options immediately above it.

Optimisation of analysis time

Optimisations have been implemented in the connection analysis process. With these optimisations, the analysis time has been reduced by approximately 30% according to the tests carried out.