Connection Design & Detailing

 

SDET Corporation has developed a highly automated computer-based Steel Detailing product for Beam/Column structures with simple, moment and braced connections. The system supports ft-ins or metric units and features fully automated 3D connection designs based on applied loads and compliance with US and UK design codes. The design determines the required number of bolts and addresses skewed and/or sloping beams with TOS level differences. Bolt fouling is eliminated and end copes are determined based on discrete member cross sectional properties.

The product supports proprietary SCRIPT files or industry standard SDNF files for importing 3D member geometry and member cross sections.  Project wide defaults are specified using XML and a forms-based editor.

The fully automated connection design process analyses topology and derives  member connectivity throughout the structure.  User-specified connection type priorities are used to explicitly guide the design process. The results are graphically displayed as a full 3D model showing member cross sections, cutbacks, skews, end copes and connection materials including cleats, plates, bolts and welds. Also output are 2D GA drawings, 2D fabrication drawings showing details for beams, columns and braces and corresponding calc sheets. Hyperlinks in the 3D model link the 2D fabrication details and calc sheets enabling users to easily move between corresponding output views.

CAD output is based on industry standard DXF or DGN file formats. This enables the 3D models and 2D drawings to be viewed using a standard CAD Viewer. Such Viewers are readily available at no cost and can be downloaded via the internet.