IES VisualAnalysisTM 8.0 – General Purpose Analysis and Design
VisualAnalysis is an easy to use structural engineering software package that automates the design of steel, wood, concrete, cold-formed steel, and aluminum to the latest codes and specifications. VisualAnalysis has a modern and intuitive user interface that simplifies modeling, analysis, design, and reporting.
In version 8.0 of VisualAnalysis we have added over 20 new features and im-provements. Topping the list of exciting new features are: Aluminum Design Checks per ADM 2010 specifications, simplified wall and slab modeling with Meshed Area “edge supports” and “edge results”, a vastly improved reporting sys-tem including Single-Member Reports, Significant Performance Improvements, and more! For more information about the new features and improvements in-cluded in VisualAnalysis 8.0 please visit www.iesweb.com/va
QuickMasonryTM 3.0 - All things masonry
QuickMasonry is a friendly software tool that engineers use to design masonry component. The QuickMasonry “Project Manager” offers the ability to design a whole series of lintels and walls, for a building in one project file, following the latest masonry design specifications.
In version 3.0 of QuickMasonry we have added support for MSJC requirements as well as several new features including; out of plane loading of beams/lintels, project notes, beams can have top bars, and we have improved dimensioning of beam load locations.
New Connector Eases Valley Truss Installation, Increases Uplift Capacity
Pleasanton, Calif. – Erecting or retrofitting valley trusses just got faster and easier for roof framers and truss installers with the introduction the Simpson Strong-Tie® VTCR valley truss connector. Installed on top of roof sheathing, or directly to the framing below, this single-sided valley truss clip eliminates the need to add a support wedge under the valley truss or to bevel the bottom chord to match the supporting roof pitch.
The VTCR connector installs after the valley truss has been set, a time-saving benefit for new construction as well as for retrofits in high-wind areas. The connector conveniently installs from one side with nails or with Simpson Strong-Tie Strong-Drive® SD structural connector screws, the latter resulting in a nearly 30 percent increase in uplift capacity.
“With the introduction of the VTCR, Simpson Strong-Tie has addressed the need for a valley truss connector that doesn’t install under the valley frame as well as one that only requires front-side fastening,” explained Stan Sias, Simpson Strong-Tie national manager for the Plated Truss Industry. “The VTCR also has a wider pitch range and uses fewer fasteners than its predecessor, and it has been load rated for Simpson Strong-Tie SD-9 screws as well as for nails.”
The VTCR can be installed on either beveled or non-beveled bottom chords and is clearly marked for fast setup of pitches from 0:12 to 12:12. For more information about the VTCR truss connector, visit www.strongtie.com.
ESAB Introduces Atom Arc 7018 Acclaim with Improved Out-Of-Position Characteristics
Florence, SC – ESAB Welding & Cutting Products introduces Atom Arc 7018 Acclaim. The newest addition to the Atom Arc line of stick electrodes, Atom Arc Acclaim offers the same drive and dig of ESAB’s popular Atom Arc stick electrode with improved weld puddle control resulting in easier out-of-position welding.
Atom Arc 7018 Acclaim provides the deep, penetrating arc and tough mechanical properties of the original Atom Arc 7018 with excellent control in out-of-position welding applications, greater weld puddle control and greater arc initiation. The new electrode also features excellent ease of use for both novice and experienced welders, a wide operating range and minimal clean up. It meets E7018H4R classification.
With more than 100 years of experience, ESAB Welding & Cutting Products is one of the world’s largest and most skilled manufacturers of welding and cutting equipment and welding filler metals. Ensuring customer satisfaction, a wide range of ESAB products carry the 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Recognized as the technological leader in the industry, ESAB is committed to providing customized solutions for their customers. For more information on the company, visit www.esabna.com or call 1-800-ESAB123.
StrucSoft Solutions’ Component Management Software addresses DSTV ‘missing link’ between structural steel detailing and fabrication
CNC software takes clean-up, guesswork out of producing accurate DSTV files used by steel fabrication machines
Montreal, Quebec, Canada – June 10, 2010 – StrucSoft Solutions today launched its Component Management Software (CMS v5.0), a 2D/3D graphical application for creating, viewing, editing and managing DSTV-CNC files commonly used by structural steel fabrication machines such as Peddinghaus, Ocean Machines, Controlled Automation, Burlington Automation and Ficep. CMS automatically clean up DSTV file inconsistencies, helping fabricators and steel detailing firms reduce labor costs, increase throughput, and meet compressed project schedules. CMS is available as a standalone or plug-in for Autodesk Inventor, Solidworks, and MBS.
The Problem of DSTV
DSTV is a widely-used public Numerical Control (NC) file format specifically for communicating design information with CNC machines used for structural steel component fabrication, including beam lines, drill lines, coping machines, single lines, plate-cutting tables, and plasma machines. Although DSTV is a well established format, there are variations in DSTV interpretations. Steel detailing software programs all produce slightly different variations of the DSTV NC file, and CNC machine vendors also have different interpretations of how the DSTV file should be written and organized. Therefore, either the fabricator or steel detailing firm must spend time cleaning up the DSTV files so that the CNC machines can read them properly.
CMS is a graphical application that makes it easy to immediately spot and fix DSTV file inconsistencies. For shops using 3D modeling programs that do not create DSTV files, such as Autodesk Inventor, Solidworks, and MBS, CMS will generate accurate DSTV files directly from these programs. CMS can also be used as a standalone tool, allowing users to define the steel part directly in CMS and produce the required DSTV file, as well as a DXF drawing file, which the detailer can then dimension and print.
“CMS fills the missing link between steel detailing and fabrication,” commented Spencer Murray, VP Operations at StrucSoft Solutions. “For large shops, it can save considerable time and labor by eliminating file inconsistencies. For smaller shops, the recent introduction of inexpensive CNC equipment, combined with the ability to create DSTV files with CMS, affords them an opportunity to compete for jobs without a huge investment.”
For pricing information contact info@strucsoftsolutions.com or call +1 514-731-0008
Metal-Wood-Framing Professional Software Now Available for Autodesk Revit Architecture and Structure 2011
StrucSoft Solutions’ light gauge metal and wood framing solution automates stud design and manufacturing in Revit BIM environment
Montreal, QC, Canada June 2, 2010 -- StrucSoft Solutions today announced that its MWF Professional software now supports Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011 and Revit Structure 2011. MWF is a template-driven extension to Revit that streamlines design, shop floor drawing production, and manufacture of light gauge metal and wood framing.
MWF Professional provides framing designers, engineers, builders, contractors and fabricators with the tools required take on serious metal or wood framing projects. The software is both a template as well as rules-based driven application that recognizes Revit walls, doors, windows and openings. It automatically generates stud arrangements, panel numbers, sheathing, shop drawings, Cut Lists and CNC output.
Other capabilities of MWF Professional include:
- Designing on-the-fly within Revit Structure
- Comprehensive library of Simpson Strong-Tie connectors
- Wall-frame-to-wall-frame joint creation interface
- Automated framing of floor and roof openings
- MEP clash detection with automatic opening and framing creation
- Ability to define framing conditions for any size and type of opening with User-defined rules that supplement wall templates
For more information on MWF Professional please see www.strucsoftsolutions.com/imageG/mwf/mwfpro.pdf.
Pricing and Availability
Software is available now. For pricing information contact info@strucsoftsolutions.com or call +1 514-731-0008
iCAPTM, Pile Capacity by Signal Matching
Pile Dynamics, Inc has announced it will be enhancing its flagship instrument, the Pile Driving Analyzer® (PDA), with the iCAP software.
Up to now the Pile Driving Analyzer (PDA) has calculated capacity at the time of the test solely by the Case Method. A CAPWAP® analysis, performed after the conclusion of the test, yields the ultimate bearing capacity. iCAP represents an improvement - it is instant signal matching based on the widely accepted CAPWAP logic. “iCAP instant signal matching leverages 40 years of continued improvement and development of the globally-accepted CAPWAP logic”, declared Garland Likins, the president of Pile Dynamics. With no user interaction, iCAP will extract the soil behavior from dynamic measurements, compute capacity by signal matching, and produce a simulated static load test graph, all in real time during the pile test.
For more information visit www.pile.com
Simpson Strong-Tie Expands its Offering of Fasteners
Pleasanton, Calif. – Since fasteners are vital to the performance of connectors, it’s not surprising Simpson Strong-Tie has been a part of the fastener industry for many years. Today the company strengthens its fastener product offering with a new and extensive line of premium stainless-steel fasteners. Designed for outdoor applications, the new stainless-steel fastener line includes nails and screws for decking, siding, roofing, framing and finish work.
Simpson Strong-Tie has been able to deepen its fastener offering since acquiring Swan Secure Fasteners in 2007. The new line of stainless-steel fasteners provides superior corrosion resistance, strength and durability, and is now fully integrated under the Simpson Strong-Tie brand. Customers can expect to see newly packaged stainless-steel hand-drive nails and screws, stainless-steel staples, brads and collated nails, and other corrosion-resistant fasteners.
“Our new offering of premium fasteners is a natural line extension for us,” said Mike Bugbee, senior vice president – fasteners. “It complements our expanding line of structural fasteners as well as our Quik Drive fastening systems.”
Simpson Strong-Tie is well known for its innovations in structural fasteners, including a few most recent additions, the Strong-Drive® SD structural-connector screw, SDW screw for multi-ply trusses and SDS screw in stainless steel. The company also is recognized for bringing new technology to fastening systems with its offering of Quik Drive® auto-feed screw driving systems and collated screws. For more information about the entire line of Simpson Strong-Tie fasteners, visit www.strongtie.com/fasten.
Simpson Strong-Tie Introduces DeckTools™ Design Software for Deck Builders and Suppliers
Pleasanton, Calif. – Imagine showing a prospective customer a picture of their dream deck—and not just a drawing or sketch, but a full-color, 3-dimensional image they can look at from any angle. DeckTools™, a sales, design and estimating software program for decks, allows deck builders and suppliers to bring photo-realistic deck designs to customers right from their laptops.
With DeckTools, users can create one-of-a-kind deck designs for their clients, customizing nearly every detail from the deck shape to railings and material choices. The program provides 3-dimensional views of deck and railing designs as well as traditional plan views. Designs are rendered in real time, so clients can see what their deck will look like with their home and backyard. The program also makes it easy to suggest upgrades by instantly showing the visual and cost impact.
In addition, DeckTools helps with practical design elements, such as identifying the key connections required by the building code and suggesting the appropriate Simpson Strong-Tie connectors and fasteners. Users can generate all of the drawings they need in minutes, including structural drawings for permit applications, working drawings for crews and detailed finished views for homeowner associations. They also can create material take-off lists, cost estimates and professional proposals which are fully-customizable Microsoft® Office documents. One-on-one training is provided with every license as well as ongoing online classes, self-paced instructional videos and customer support.
Simpson Strong-Tie acquired DeckTools in early 2009. For more information, visit www.strongtie.com/decktools
*Editors see a live demonstration of the program at PCBC in San Francisco on Thursday, June 18, booth 925 – south hall.