As of the 2014.b version, the horizontal and vertical openings are not eliminated even if the job is analysed or the frame is redesigned. The program rechecks the openings of a frame when they are edited by users.
Cronologia degli aggiornamenti
- CYPECAD
- Cronologia degli aggiornamenti
CYPECAD
Information on the improvements that have been carried out upon applying CIRSOC 103-2005 when applying a seismic analysis can be found in the section on Loads on structures. Seismic loads - CIRSOC 103-2005 (Argentina) of this webpage.
Implemented in the previous version (2014.a) was the introduction and check of horizontal openings in beams, for dropped rectangular, “L” or “T” sections (without lattice reinforcement) using the Advanced beam editor of CYPECAD and Continuous beams.
Now, with the 2014.b version, vertical openings (rectangular or circular) can be introduced in flat or dropped rectangular, “L” or “T” beams (without lattice reinforcement).
A new option, New vertical opening, has been implemented to introduce the vertical openings, within the Openings dialogue box (Edit a beam from the Results tab of CYPECAD using the advanced beam editor > select the 
button of the editor).
The program allows for vertical openings to be introduced in the flanges and webs of flat and dropped beams, as long as the following conditions are met:
- The transverse dimension of the vertical opening must be less than one third of the width of the web or less than two thirds of the width of the flange, depending on the zone in which the opening is situated.
- The length of the opening must be less than the width of the web and the depth of the beam.
- The position of the vertical opening must guarantee that the cover is respected at all the surfaces of the opening.
- The free distance between a vertical opening and the support of the beam must be greater than the lateral confinement length of the opening.
Furthermore, the free distance between consecutive openings, be they horizontal or vertical, must be greater than two times the depth of the beam and greater than the width of the web of the beam.
Neither horizontal nor vertical openings may be introduced in the confinement zones established in the selected seismic code.
The resulting section of the beam, having applied the reduction due to the presence of the opening, will be checked using the criteria of the selected code as will, besides the reinforcement of the beam, the reinforcement provided in the opening.
The conditions of the position and dimensions of the openings of the horizontal openings can be consulted in the new features of the 2014.a version.
When a vertical opening is introduced and cuts the reinforcement of the frame, the program emits a warning informing users that the arrangement of the reinforcement bars proposed by the program is to be revised, once the opening has been introduced and checked, as there may be a simpler reinforcement arrangement that can be executed on site. Users could even position some of the additional reinforcement bars of the frame in a second layer so the reinforcement arrangement of the opening would be easier to execute.
The remaining edition and check options of the Ultimate Limit States (U.L.S.) of the openings, operate in the same manner as for horizontal openings and can be consulted in the Advanced beam editor. Horizontal openings in beams section in the new features of the 2014.a version.
Please bear in mind that neither the horizontal nor vertical openings are considered during the analysis phase, hence their position and dimensions are restricted (as has been indicated previously in their introduction conditions) so the forces that are obtained can be considered valid.
The reinforcement details of the vertical openings are generated automatically within the details of the frame, in the same way as for horizontal openings.
The homogenised values of the properties of the construction elements that are introduced in CYPECAD, to consider their effect in the dynamic analysis of buildings exposed to seismic action, are, as of the 2014.a version: the Thickness of the masonry, Modulus of elasticity X, Modulus of elasticity Y, Shear modulus XY, Poisson’s ratio XY and the Surface load.
All this data is introduced in the Masonry properties – homogenized values – (Beam Definition tab > Loads > Construction elements > Add or Edit option > edit selected type button 
or edit type list button 
and add 
). It is the manufacturers, who due the tests they have carried out on their products, will be able to provide more exact values.
For those cases in which the manufacturers have not provided the required data, a tool has been implemented in the 2014.b version that calculates the homogenised values of the masonry properties based on geometric and resistance data that users can know more easily. This tool is accessed from the previously mentioned dialogue box: Masonry properties – homogenized values, selected using the Property analysis button (
).
The properties required by the tool are:
- Type of construction element
- Internal partition
- External wall, visible
- External wall, to be covered
- Number of leaves (single or double)
- Material
- Type of mortar
- Type of joint
- Mortar resistance
- Standard compressive strength of the unit
In order to define the material, type of mortar, type of joint, mortar resistance and the standard compressive strength of the unit, users must select the adequate option amongst those offered by the program in a drop-down list.
Normas Argentinas para Construcción Sismorresistente. Parte II: Construcciones de Hormigón Armado.
The reinforcement ductility criteria and the capacity design criteria for seismic design indicated in CIRSOC-103 2005 were implemented in the 2013.l version. These criteria are applied in CYPECAD when users select CIRSOC 201-2005 and combine it with CIRSOC 103-1991 or CIRSOC 103-2008.
Now, as of the 2014.b version and to calculate the overresistance factors for seismic capacity checks carried out by the Advanced beam editor of CYPECAD, the overresistance moments of the beams are considered at the axes.
Additionally, as of the 2014.b version, the seismic design criteria checks carried out by the Advanced beam editor, and check of the maximum diameter of the continuous reinforcement via internal nodes have been added.
Código Hondureño de la Construcción. Normas Técnicas. Capítulo 1. Cargas y fuerzas estructurales. Diseño por Sismo
Implemented in CYPECAD and Metal 3D.
The dynamic analysis method (spectral modal) or static analysis method (equivalent lateral force) proposed by the CHOC-08 can be selected in both programs. The analysis method (dynamic or static) can be selected using the Analysis method option in the dialogue box in which the seismic action is defined.
When the seismic design is carried out using the dynamic analysis method (modal spectral), CYPECAD considers the correction due to base shear.
Steel types S280GD and S320GD have been implemented for Eurocode 3 (including the National Application Documents or general document adaptations for Bulgaria, France, Italy and Portugal) and EAE (Spain)
Indian Standard. Plain and reinforced concrete code of practice (Fourth Revision).
This code was already implemented in CYPECAD. Now, with the 2014.b version, the time required for the design of the concrete columns has been optimised.
Code implementation. ACI 318M-08 (USA), Nch430.Of2008 (Chile), NTE E.060: 2009 (Peru) and NSR-10 (Columbia)
The tool, Strut3D, was implemented in the 2013.e version, and allows users to check (in CYPECAD and Metal 3D – using the Pile Caps module) pile caps using a general analysis method that analyses the D regions of the reinforced concrete using a strut and tie model. This tool was only available for use with the EHE-08 (Spain) code. Now, with the 2014.b version, the tool has been implemented for use with the following concrete codes:
- ACI 318M08 (USA)
Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete. - Nch430.Of2008 (Chile)
Norma Chilena oficial NCh430.Of2008. - NTE E.060: 2009 (Perú)
Reglamento Nacional de Edificaciones. Norma E.060 Concreto Armado (2009). - NSR10 (Colombia)
Reglamento Colombiano de Construcción Sismo Resistente NSR-10. Título C - Concreto estructural.
Two new options: Reinforcement layers and Bars in layers, have been implemented in the Beam reinforcement dialogue box (Job > General data > By position button > Beam options > Design/ Code checks > Beam reinforcement – see image). These options allow users to distribute the beam reinforcement in different layers.
- Reinforcement layers
Users can create a table indicating the maximum number of layers depending on the depth of the beam. - Bars in layers
Users can create a table indicating the maximum number of bars depending on the width of the beam.
Geometry of the openings and types of beams they may be applied to
As of the 2014.a version, the Advanced beam editor of CYPECAD and Continuous beams allow for horizontal or circular openings to be introduced in reinforced concrete beams of constant or variable depth, of the following types:
- Dropped, rectangular beams (without lattice)
- Dropped “L” or “T” beams (without lattice)
Conditions of the position and dimensions of the openings
These openings are not considered during the analysis phase, and so, both their position and dimensions should remain restricted so that the efforts obtained may be considered valid. The limitations imposed by the program are the following:
- The height of the horizontal opening must be less than one third of the depth of the beam.
- The length of the horizontal opening must be less than the depth of the beam.
- The position of the horizontal opening must guarantee that the cover is respected in all the faces of the opening, and in the top and bottom surfaces of the beam.
- The free distance between consecutive horizontal openings must be greater than two times the depth of the beam.
- The free distance between a horizontal opening and the supporting side of the beam must be greater than half of its depth.
- No horizontal openings may be introduced in the confinement zones established by the seismic code.
The interaction between the reinforcement of the openings and the rest of the reinforcement introduced by users is completely automatic. When users introduce an opening, the program cuts the skin reinforcement bar at the opening, reorganises the stirrups on which the opening lies, and, if it is displaced, the reinforcement of the frame is modified in accordance. The program checks that the horizontal openings only cut the skin reinforcement bars. If this is not the case, an error message is displayed.
The conditions under which an opening is considered to be correctly defined may vary along the length of the frame (for example, if another opening is introduced very close to it, the stirrups of both openings could overlap, which would generate an undefined situation). If an opening cannot be processed, it is marked with a red dot and an error message is displayed when the mouse cursor is placed over it; and its effects on the previously introduced reinforcement disappear until the opening is deleted or the error is resolved.
The options to define the openings are located in the Openings floating menu, which can be activated by selecting the 
, button, that appears in the top buttons bar next to the transverse reinforcement edition option.
Introducing the openings and defining their reinforcement
The Openings floating menu contains five options:
New opening
Three steps must be followed to introduce a new opening:
- Select the type of opening and its dimensions
Once the New opening button () is selected, the New opening dialogue appears on screen, in which the type of opening (Rectangular or Circular) and its dimensions are defined. - Confirmation of the position of the opening on the span
Once the dimensions of the opening have been introduced, users select the position (using the mouse cursor) on the frame at which it is to be introduced. During this process, the program displays the opening with the shape and size that have been specified, and its coordinates, which depend on the position of the mouse cursor. Unless the opening cannot be introduced at the current position of the cursor, two coordinates will always be displayed:- The distance with respect to the support
- The distance with respect to the top face of the beam
To confirm the position of the opening, simply click on the left mouse button so a panel appears allowing for the numerical position of the opening to be defined.
- Defining the reinforcement of the opening
The reinforcement is composed, for both rectangular and circular openings, of: - Top reinforcement
- Bottom reinforcement
- Stirrups applied to the corresponding zone of the opening
- Anchorage of bars that are cut due to the interaction with the opening (only affects skin reinforcement bars).
The Length of lateral confinement, which is required in the dialogue box in which the reinforcement of the opening is defined, refers to the zones at either side of the opening. The same stirrup arrangement is used in both zones defined by the lateral confinement length as before the opening was introduced, but with the stirrup diameter and spacing defined for the opening. These zones are used to guarantee the shear is transmitted correctly between the zone of the beam without an opening and the zone with.
Two independent stirrup arrangements can be defined for the parts above and below the opening, and the template of the opening (indicates the points which can tie the stirrups or cross-ties) must be compatible with the base reinforcement template of the span in which it is located (to avoid there being loose stirrups). The number of reinforcement bars of the opening must be greater than or equal to the number of reinforcement bars of the template to guarantee there is a bar at all the positions at which the stirrups are held.
- Select the type of opening and its dimensions
Edit opening
This option displays the same dialogue in which the reinforcement of the opening has been defined using the New opening () option.
The reinforcement of the opening can also be edited from:
- The edition of the longitudinal reinforcement of the frame
(
button on the top bar of the beam editor > Edit).
This way a panel is displayed which allows users to edit the reinforcement of the opening. - The edition of the transverse reinforcement of the frame
(botón
button on the top bar of the beam editor > Edit).
Allows users to edit the transverse reinforcement of the opening, the additional reinforcement and anchorage.
- The edition of the longitudinal reinforcement of the frame
Edit opening and assign
Allows users to match the type of opening and their reinforcement to several openings. First of all, users must select the opening which is to be taken as the source opening (which will allow for any parameters to be edited) and then, select the openings to be matched. This selection can be carried out one-by-one, or using a capture window. Those which are the same are displayed in orange and those that are different in yellow.
Move opening
Allows users to displace the opening within the same span. Simply select the opening and drag it to its new position. When the opening is placed in its new position, the program applies the same considerations as when a new opening is introduced.
Delete opening
Users can delete the selected opening or openings. Multiple openings can be selected for deletion (using a capture window), or deleted individually.
U.L.S. checks of the openings
The U.L.S. checks of the introduced openings can be consulted using the existing options in the beam editor, 
(U.L.S. checks at the worst case point) and 
(U.L.S. checks at a point) buttons. In the case of the worst case point, all the checks of the openings the beam may have are added to the checks of the beam. When consulting the checks at a point, the opening can be selected directly.
When checking a beam with openings, worst case checks of the beam may appear in the zone in which the opening is situated because the program considers that the zone of the opening should meet the requirements of the section with the opening as well as the section without it.
An element filter has been implemented to help when consulting the checks of the openings using the worst case point option ().
Reinforcement details of the openings in drawings
If a frame contains openings, the details of the opening are automatically generated integrated within the details of each frame. The scale of the detail of the opening can be configured by users.
