Advance Design Steel Connections

One of the most complex and time-consuming phases of the steel structures design is the steel connections calculation. This long and complex process requires precision and efficiency and can become a source of errors with unwanted consequences.
Advance Design Steel Connections (ADSC) is an easy to use and accurate module that offers multiple advantages when it comes to connection design and verification.

Available connection types

The most frequently used connections are available in ADSC. For each connection type, you have a set of advanced options that allow you to modify and customize the corresponding connection. For the calculation of connections and loads combinations, ADSC uses standard methods in accordance with the latest versions of international standards: Eurocode 0 EN1990 - 2003 and Eurocode 3 EN 1993-1-8 - 2005).

BEAM – BEAM CONNECTIONS		EC3
Apex haunch
Clip angle
Clip angle - Skewed
Double side clip angle
Shear plate
Single side end plate
COLUMN – BEAM CONNECTIONS		EC3
Clip angle
Clip angle - Skewed
Double side clip angle
Knee of frame bolted, with haunch
Moment end plate
Shear plate
Single side end plate
BRACINGS		EC3
Gusset plate at one diagonal
Gusset plate for two diagonals
Gusset plate for three diagonals
BASE PLATES		EC3
Base plate cut
Base plate
Tube base plate

Fast connection design

ADSC provides the option to create connections with all the corresponding components and features with a single operation. Starting from these templates, the user can completely customize the connection.

Detailed properties definition

Each connection has a complete set of properties that can be easily defined. For a better understanding, each parameter is illustrated by a small picture in the dialog box. The changes made in the properties dialog box are automatically applied. You can view the modifications in real time, in the graphical area.

Advanced visualization options

For an efficient handling of your model, ADSC offers zoom and view commands that are intuitive and easy to access, pan and orbit functions, various rendering modes, including realistic representations, etc.

An accurate definition of load cases and combinations

Using ADSC, you can define different type of loads (dead loads, snow, wind, live loads, temperatures, and accidental and seismic loads) and automatically generate combinations according to Eurocode 0. The verification can also be made according to ELU case (Elastic Ultimate Limit State).

Effective connection verification

ADSC performs an accurate verification for all the connection components: bolts, welds, end plates, stiffener plates, etc. and parts of the connected elements, beams web and flanges.

Complete calculation reports according to Eurocodes 3

You can obtain complete or synthetic calculation reports for each combination as .rtf or .html files. The reports can be customized to suit your preferences. You can select the information to list in the report along with the verification status:

• The combination from which the highest stress is obtained, for each verified component.
• The theoretical formula.
• The formula for failed verifications only.
• The work ratio for each verification.

A generic detail view of the connection assembly

When the verification process is completed, you can get a drawing with all the connection details: dimensions, relative positions of the components (bolts, anchors, stiffeners), connected elements cross sections etc.

Secure file exchange

The Graitec BIM technology assures a secure file exchange with the interacting programs.

Advance Design Steel Connections is part of the Graitec Advance Suite

As part of the GRAITEC Advance Suite, ADSC can be either used as a standalone application or linked with Advance Design.

In standalone mode, ADSC will allow you to easily define the connection (geometry, connected elements, loads, etc.) and design it in a few clicks. Then, you can generate automatically a detailed calculation report and the corresponding drawing.

It is also possible to use this model with Advance Design after a finite element analysis. In this case, Advance Design calculates all the envelopes internal forces for the connection design. Just click in the contextual menu of the connection to export it to ADSC.

When the calculation is done in ADSC, you can get back the main results in Advance Design and insert the ADSC report in the global report generator.


Intuitive and fast steps in creating and verifying a steel connection
In the case of using ADSC as a standalone application, the following steps exemplify the promptitude of the design and verification process.

Creating a base plate in Advance Design Steel Connections:

• Create a new project

• Select the connection type to create - Base plate.

• Define the properties of the connected elements (in this case, the column)

• Define the loads

• Define combinations

• Click to access and modify the connection properties.

• Go to Properties > Joint design to verify the connection. Click Check to view the verification results.

• When the calculation is completed, the connection properties are automatically updated in the Detail view.

• Click Report to obtain the calculation reports in the form of an html or rtf file.

Advance Design Steel Connections – a fast, undemanding and valid solution

Many engineers use their own methods such as manual calculation, the abacus, XLS files for obtaining an analysis of the steel connection. These methods are time consuming and sometimes not entirely according to the latest standards. Advance Design Steel Connections allows the repeated calculations of the same modified steel joint until all the structural conditions are satisfied, in a very short time, according to the latest versions of international standards. Using Advance Design Steel Connections, the calculation time is significantly reduced while the most reliable results are obtained.

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