Connection forces

Hi all,
I just started using XFEM4U so maybe this is a question that already has been asked before.

I am trying to find an easy way to get decisive connection forces to use in IDEA.

The only way I found now is very unwieldy way:
I import the tables to Excel from the pdf-output.
After the import I need to do several actions to get the decisive combinations for use in the detail calculations.
I hope someone has a much easier solution to get the decisive connection forces.

Thanks in advance,

Greetings,
John Slobbe

Hi John,

Thanks for your question. We are now (as we speak) working on implementing the connection between XFEM4U and IDEA StatiCa. Please be patient. In the next coming release of XFEM4U it will be there.

So the whole structure you have made in XFEM4U can be visualized in IDEA StatiCa including all connection forces. Since the analysis in XFEM4U is by default geometrical non linear (second order analysis) it is not possible (i.e. useless) to transfer the forces for each load case and combine them using load factors in IDEA StatiCa. Instead all combinations are done in XFEM4U and analyzed. Only the resulting connection forces for each ULS combination are transferred to IDEA StatiCa and here the load factors will be set to 1,00. Your connections must be designed using these forces.

Kind regards
Rob Baaij

Hi Rob,

Thanks for your response.

The link to IDEA: Great news. Can’t wait to see this implemented.

Part of the question remains. I am looking for a way to quickly find and present the decisive connection forces.
For example: When we create platforms with various dimensions and various loads. But we mostly use the same steel profiles. I want to find and present the decisive connection force per profile.

An export to Excel with beams numbers, node numbers, layers and end point results per combination would make it easier to filter the decisive connection force.

Another way to get this info would also be great and I am positive that, if it is not possible now, you and your excellent team of programmers can make this possible in the near future.
Keep up the good work!

Greetings,
John Slobbe

Hi John,

There is technically no problem at all to export these forces to an Excel sheet. It is just work.

Does the following complies to your needs?
Beam number, node number, combination number, Nx[kN], Vy[kN], Vz[kN], Mx[kNm], My[kN] and Mz[kN]?
My suggestion is to do the export for selected beams only. And export all combinations (ULS and SLS)

Your request is noted. Your helpdesk number is #2570.

Kind regards
Rob Baaij

Hi Rob,

Thanks for your quick response.
Would it be possible to add the layer and profile?

Export per selection is a good option but when you add the layer and section it is possible to export all at once and make a selection / filter in excel.

Thanks in advance,

Greetings,
John Slobbe

Hi John,

Sure it is possible to add the layer and section/profile as well. But what to do if the beam is in a number of layers? As you know you it possible to add several layers to a beam.

Kind regards
Rob Baaij

Good question Rob,
Layers are not the easiest to use when you can have multiple layer for one element.

I am looking for a way to filter between main steel, secondary steel, columns, beams, horizontal/vertical bracings and others within Excel.
Is it possible to assign this info to the various elements within XFEM4U?

Even without the layer info I already have been helped a lot with an output to Excel. So thanks for looking into that.

Have a good weekend,

Best regards,
John Slobbe

Hi John,

I think this could work. Make use of layers (main steel, secondary steel, columns, beams, horizontal/vertical bracings and others). Switch off the visibility of the layers you do not want. Now. Select all. For these selected beams we then could export the forces you want.

Have a nice weekend too.
Kind regards
Rob Baaij