Steel sections are selected from predefined libraries in the program. CYPECAD has 33 different section libraries. Additionally, users can add their own libraries by copying existing ones or manually inserting them. Sections that do not come from a library (editable sections) can also be entered into a job. To do this, users must enter their geometric and mechanical features.

When entering data, the column’s alignment point (corners or faces) can be defined if column section height decreases.   

Design options

Before the analysis, the program asks users for the design options for the steel and composite elements in the job. In the case of steel columns, there is the choice of deciding whether to have them designed by the program or whether to keep those specified by the user. If users want the program to design them, they can choose between two options: the program can only use series sections greater than the one provided by the user, or it can use even lower sections as long as they comply with users’ requirements.

Results

Design analysis, reports and drawings

Once analysed, users can consult the force graphs of columns by simple loadcases in a dialogue box that also shows the analytical results onscreen as the cursor moves over the graphs.

The program marks the column sections that do not comply on each floor in red. Users can visualise a window that indicates which spans have problems, the optimal section of the series (whether it is inferior, equal or superior to the one provided), the complete series of sections indicating which ones comply and which do not, and the worst-case forces for the designing of the column.

CYPECAD prepares reports of the columns’ forces, reinforcements, displacements, distortions and quantities.

It also prepares precise drawings with a column schedule and foundation loads.

Detailed ultimate limit state check reports for steel columns

CYPECAD prepares detailed ultimate limit state check reports for rolled steel, reinforced steel and cold rolled steel columns. The ULS reports contain all the checks that the program carries out for designing steel columns. Each check refers to the code and the article required, or to the criteria that have been considered to carry out the design. The details in the ULS reports make them essential documents with which users can verify, justify and optimise the design of analysed structural elements.

The level of detail in these reports also gives them a didactic feature that allows users to be aware of all the checks that a section is subject to.

More information about these documents (CYPE programs that generate ULS reports, how to obtain them, codes for which they can be generated, etc.) can be found at Detailed ultimate limit state check reports.