Nemetschek SCIA released the 16.1 version of SCIA Engineer. A big focus for the update was to address user-feedback, improve performance and add several features. A large portion of these improvements will help computer-aided engineering (CAE) and building information modeling (BIM) experts certify their designs to American and European standards (Eurocodes).
The release also falls in line with SCIA's continual promotion of Open BIM, a collective of BIM software companies working to promote interoperability. This is not to be confused with OpenBIM, which is discussed in this previous article.
For instance, the software will be able to import large IFC files much more quickly thanks to processor optimizations. Additionally, the software is now compatible with Revit 2017. Thus, SCIA Engineer can import numerical cross sections and export slant column results to this recent release of Revit.
As for SCIA Engineer's added adherence to regional codes, engineers will likely make of use of the workflow to design reinforced concrete beams, ribs and columns to EU standards. This workflow includes the recalculation of the reinforcement zones as well as the amount of rebar required.
Additionally, when designing base plates for Eurocode-approved steel columns, engineers can now calculate moment resistance, rotational stiffness and the strengthening effect of concrete blocks that are in contact with base plates.
Other Eurocodes improvements include:
- Integration of concrete section check into the design workflow
- Implementation of theoretical studies and modern sheeting geometries when designing composites
- Updated seismic spectrum from Dutch Standardization Institute’s NPR 9998
As for those designing buildings for the U.S., SCIA now includes calculations for the web openings in a composite floor.
The software also supports a new solution to design concrete slabs and floors to the ACI 318-14 standard. This will optimize the amount of reinforcement needed for bending and shear to reach the limit state of the concrete slab.
Finally, the software includes compliance testing for equivalent lateral forces with expanded support for ASCE 7-10, Section 12.8.
To learn more about SCIA Engineer, watch this webinar.