CYPECAD

As of the 2018.a version, CYPECAD projects which have been started based on a BIM model can read and import walls and partitions of the BIM model as construction elements. Non-structural walls and partitions provide stiffness to the structure during an earthquake by modifying the distribution and magnitude of the forces due to the seismic action. More information on how non-structural elements interact with the structural elements against seismic action, and which properties are to be taken into account to consider their influence in the behaviour of the structure against seismic action, can be found on the Interaction of the structure with the construction elements webpage.

With this improvement, the construction elements of CYPECAD will be synchronised with the walls and partitions of the BIM model. They will be automatically introduced, if users select for them to be imported and will be updated if any changes arise in the architectonic model.

As well as providing stiffness to the structure, they will generate line loads on the floor slabs or beams on which they bear. These loads, which are laborious to introduce and modify, if any changes arise, with the 2018.a version, can be placed automatically at the position where the wall is located in the BIM model.

During the creation of the CYPECAD project based on a BIM model or during the update of the BIM model, a new section appears in the wizard that will list the different types of walls and partitions, so to offer users the option of whether or not they are to be imported.

From the “Loads > Construction elements” menu, users can edit, consult and check the walls and partitions that have been imported.

Each type that is imported is defined as “NOT CHECKED”, and it is the user who will decide how the walls will affect the structure: whether they intervene in the seismic analysis and/or if loads on the floor slabs are to be generated.

Introduction

A new type of concrete column has been implemented: generic section columns defined by users. This improvement allows users to calculate projects with columns of any shape. Until the 2018.a version, concrete columns could only have rectangular or circular sections.

Generic section concrete columns are composed of a concrete section defined by users and a longitudinal reinforcement arrangement. Both sections and reinforcement arrangements can be edited by users.

The type of concrete and type of steel will be the same as that defined for other concrete columns in "General data".

This new type of column appears in the "Type of section" panel, which is displayed when introducing or editing a column. It is possible to select a section from the library or add a new one. This section may be symmetrical with respect to the local axes. Furthermore, it is possible to define a reinforcement arrangement and the diameters of the longitudinal bars. Placing reinforcement is optional, if the 'Reinforcement' option is not activated, the column will not be checked. It will intervene in the force analysis, but no checks will be carried out on it. The reinforcement can be assigned in the "Column Definition" tab and the "Results" tab by editing the “Column schedule”.

Generic sections defined by users can be stored in a library that will be shared with generic section and material columns. Both types of columns use the same generic section editor, which has been referenced on this web page in “Generic sections” in the "Generic material columns" section.

Layout of the longitudinal reinforcement

For checks to be carried out on these columns, reinforcement must be provided. To do so, a reinforcement layout that is compatible with the section of the column and the diameters of the bars must be chosen. A reinforcement layout defined in a section will be compatible with sections of the same shape. For example, if a user defines a series of reinforcement layouts which can be used for a regular pentagonal section, these layouts will be compatible for use with another section of the same shape but with different dimensions.

The different reinforcement layouts are stored in a user-defined library.

Based on a previously introduced section, a longitudinal bar layout can be defined. Several options to define the position of the bars are included in the layout editor.

It should be noted that bars are not defined with a specific diameter, just their position. This way, a longitudinal bar layout can be used from the library for columns with bars of different diameters and even for sections of the same shape but with different dimensions.

The tools of the layout editor are:

• Generate bars in corners
• Place bars in all the vertices of the section
• Introduce bars in the selected corner
• Introduce bars on one face
• Introduce bars between two points
• Introduce a bar at a free position
• Delete bar
• Define tags
  Tags allow for bar groups of the same diameter to be defined, or simple to provide a reference as to their position. Each tag will be assigned a bar diameter.
  
  

Drawn in the section view is a discontinuous line, which represents the zone that lies inside the perimeter stirrup, where the corner and face bars will be placed. Therefore, the total cover of the bars defined at the corners or faces will be the sum of the geometric cover and the diameter of the perimeter stirrup.

When bars are added at corners, a panel appears where the tag can be defined, and where users can choose whether to introduce one, two or three bars. A similar panel appears with bars at the faces, where users can define the tag of these bars, the number of bars along the face and whether a single bar or two joined bars are to be placed.