The BRAUSA cold-formed sections library has been included in the 2016.m version of CYPECAD, CYPE 3D and the Portal Frame Generator. The sections that have been included are:
The 2016.k version of the advanced column editor includes a button to reorganise columns in alphanumerical order. This order is that generated by default after analysing the job.
The seismic code of Peru (Norma Técnica E.030 (2014) Diseño Sismorresistente) has been implemented in CYPECAD and CYPE 3D.
As of version 2016.a, CYPE 3D now requires you to understand the structural function carried out by a part. Four different structural typologies can be assigned:
The search process for reinforcement tables of beams exposed to seismic forces has been optimised, when the option to displace assembly reinforcement overlaps is activated.
Norma Ecuatoriana de la Construcción. Peligro sísmico. Diseño sismo resistente.
Implemented in CYPECAD and CYPE 3D.
As of the 2016.c version, users can opt, for this code, to use the design seismic spectrum defined by the code itself or a user-defined spectrum. For more information on which codes users can define the seismic spectrum for can be found in the "Seismic spectrum specified by users" section of the CYPECAD webpage. 
In previous versions, users could introduce diagonal cross bracing in their structures. As of the 2016.a version, a new option has been implemented to generate V-bracing. “Add V-bracing” and can be found in the “Sloped beams” menu (Beams/Walls > Sloped beams).
Users could, as of previous versions, edit and modify the axial stiffness coefficient and the concrete cover and resistance of an existing column using the corresponding options in the “Columns, shear walls and starts” dialogue box (“Introduction” menu in the “Column Definition” tab). Now, these options appear in the “New Column” dialogue box and in the “Edit Column” dialogue box (Column Definition tab > Introduction > Columns, shear walls and starts > “New Column” or “Edit”). This way, these parameters can be edited more comfortably, especial when they all have to be edited. These options can be found with the edit buckling and fixity coefficients options, which were already present in earlier program versions.
Some seismic codes have a minimum base shear requirement when applying the modal spectral dynamic method in the seismic design process. CYPECAD carries out this check as of previous versions. More information on this check as well as the implemented codes for which this check is carried out can be found in the “Correction due to base shear” section on the CYPECAD webpage.
When the total results of the dynamic analysis are less than the minimum values prescribed in the seismic code to be applied, the dynamic response parameters have to be adjusted by increasing them using a modification factor, until these minimum values are reached. When the response exceeds the prescribed code values, the parameters of the total dynamic response can be reduced proportionally according to the project designer’s criteria.
Therefore, in the 2016.a version, the program offers different ways of proceeding with this requirement. The modification factor to adjust the results can be defined in different ways:
The 2016.a version brings about changes and new features to the Advanced column editor.
Furthermore, since, as of this version, users can design concrete columns and beams, as well as check composite steel and concrete columns, the advanced editor is now a tool used in CYPECAD and CYPE 3D.
The new version of the column editor contains two tabs which appear on the top part of the screen, with which, users can carry out the required checks and modifications on two different views: the classic view available as of previous versions “Edit in table” tab and the column schedule “Edit in column schedule” tab.
Edit in table
This window allows users to edit a column in a table (top right section of the window) which displays all the spans of the selected column. A summary of the checks carried out on the column span selected in the previous table is also displayed (in the bottom right section of the window).
It is also very useful to show the ultimate limit state (U.L.S.) checks of the selected column span or all the spans of the column.
Some buttons are displayed in the top right section, which allow users to: search for a column, redesign the reinforcement of a group of columns, view the details of the selected column, see its 3D view and obtain the U.L.S. check report of all the spans of the selected column.
Included in the top right section of the editor is the “Show densification zones”, which shows or hides, in the edit reinforcement window (top right section), the stirrup spans a concrete or composite column may have. This option only displays the stirrup densification zones each column span may contain but does not allow users to add any other densification zones. This is only possible in the Edit in column schedule window.
When stirrups are edited (by clicking on the stirrup layout in the table), a dialogue box opens where users can add different types of stirrups and crossties to a column span, hence the stirrups of the column can be modified even though their arrangement is not included in the reinforcement tables. This editing option is also available in the Edit in column schedule window.
Users can also edit the longitudinal reinforcement splices of each span and indicate that the splice length of 50% of the bars (of opposite sides or alternate bars) is to be displaced by a specific distance. To do so, select the icon in the cell located to the right of the “Y face” longitudinal reinforcement. Splices can also be edited and displaced in the Edit in column schedule tab by selecting the “Splices and anchorages” button of the longitudinal reinforcement.
Edit in column schedule
This window has been especially designed to edit the reinforcement and steel sections provided in each span of the column groups, and in this case in the view of the column schedule that will be obtained in the drawing.
It contains more editing tools than the “Edit in table” window. Along the top of this window are buttons with which users can:
Detailed information on this powerful CYPECAD and CYPE 3D tool can be found on the “Advanced column editor” webpage.
Jobs analysed with previous program versions
To avoid problems arising with jobs analysed with versions earlier than the 2016.a version, the new column editor features do not appear until the job has been reanalysed with the new version. If there are any blocked columns, the new features will continue to not appear even if the job has been reanalysed. Therefore, all columns must be unblocked and the job reanalysed to be able to edit columns with the new editor.
As of the 2016.a version, CYPECAD and CYPE 3D can check composite steel and concrete columns. This check is included in the “Composite steel and concrete columns” module described in the “New modules – Composite steel and concrete” columns section on this webpage.
