Update history​

StruBIM Steel

Implementation of ABNT NBR 8800:2008 (Brasil)

"Projeto de estruturas de aço e de estruturas mistas de aço e concreto de edifícios".

Implemented in CYPE Connect Steel and StruBIM Steel for checking steel connections.

Implementing Spanish code "Código Estructural"

Spanish code "Código Estructural (Real Decreto 470/2021)" has been implemented for analysing and designing concrete structures in CYPECAD, CYPE 3D, Reinforced concrete cantilever walls and Embedded retaining walls.

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.

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.

Connection summary report

The connection summary report has been added. Connection elements, section loads, or the checks of sections, plates, fillet butt welds, and bolts can be displayed in a summarised form in this report.

From the "Report" button in the main CYPE Connect Steel window, the report can also be generated with a summary of the nodes selected by the user.

Connections library

In version 2022.a, a connection library has been added, allowing users to save defined connections so they can be applied to other nodes of the same or other jobs. This library is common to CYPE Connect Steel and StruBIM Steel.

From the connection editing panel, users will have access to the added options: Import from library, Export to library and Connections library.

  • Import from library

    This tool allows users to import the list of operations from a connection from the library.
  • When importing, if the section layout is not identical to the one saved in the connection, users will be asked to match the sections of the library with the sections of the current node.
  • Export to library
    Allows a connection to be saved in the job’s connection library. By clicking on "Export", the program will request users to define the reference to save it in the job library.
  • Connections library
    The connections saved in the library will be available for use in the job itself. To save the connections in this library in the drive and to be able to use them in other projects, share them between CYPE Connect Steel and StruBIM Steel, or share them with other computers, users must click on "Export the element to a file".

    The management of this library works in the same way as the other libraries. The following options related to the management of this library are shown at the top:

    • Import the elements saved in the drive to the project
    • Update the elements used in the project
    • Export the element to a file
    • File selection with initial values for the creation of a new job

General improvements

Version 2021.g of CYPE’s programs is a closing version of the 2021 version.

As well as the new features and improvements expressly indicated in each version of CYPE software, process optimisation involving internal updates for all our programs is normally included. In each revision, all programs are systematically checked and changes are made to improve their performance, therefore, we recommend that our users (in this case those of v.2021) always update their version to the latest one, regardless of the country for which they are using CYPE software or the language in which it is installed.