Connection design RFIs – On-site interferences

This article is a part of a series "Connection Design RFIs."
Read all articles in the series.

When the clash undermines the design

I suppose remembering a situation where your design had to face reality on a construction site wouldn't give you much trouble, right?  

Sometimes, structural members need to accommodate unexpected elements such as: 

• Utility pipes or ductwork,
• Other structural or non-structural elements clash interference 
• Height adjustments - notches on the beams
• See some examples of interference in steel structure construction presented in this AISC session. 

Engineers are often tasked with making adjustments that were not part of the original design. These on-site interferences can arise late in the construction process, requiring fast decisions to maintain both project timelines and structural integrity.

AISC emphasizes planning for member openings during the design phase to avoid compromising structural performance. When unexpected interferences arise, engineers often modify the structural members or add reinforcements to maintain load-bearing capacity. These changes, while effective, can disrupt load distribution and complicate the design. Each modification requires recalculations and verification to ensure the structure still meets its design criteria, potentially delaying the project.

Standard industry practices usually involve reinforcing or reconfiguring the affected members to maintain strength and stability. This often means adding stiffeners or reinforcing plates around the opening to prevent failure due to weakened sections. However, standard calculations alone may not suffice. While Mathcad and Excel templates support routine checks, complex modifications require extensive formula reconfiguration, leading to delays and potential errors. In critical cases, a deeper analysis is essential to evaluate overall structural performance accurately.

IDEA StatiCa simplifies this process by allowing engineers to quickly model and test various modifications to members with openings. The software supports advanced analyses, such as stiffness and buckling analysis, ensuring that any modifications maintain the required capacity and meet design codes.

Why use IDEA StatiCa

• Instant modifications: Quickly model changes like member openings, visualizing the impact on structural behavior in real-time.

• Advanced analysis: Beyond just traditional checks, IDEA StatiCa offers advanced tools like stiffness and buckling analysis to verify that the modifications uphold the structure's integrity.

• Time-Saving Solutions: Reduce manual recalculations by simulating multiple design options in minutes, making decisions faster and minimizing delays.
• Seamless Code Compliance: Automatically validate that your modified connections meet design standards without extra time-consuming calculations.

How to do it?

Watch the video showing how to redesign a connection by removing bolts in less then 2 minutes. 

Summary

With IDEA StatiCa, engineers can confidently address on-site interferences quickly, keeping projects on track without compromising structural integrity. By reducing the time spent on recalculations and enhancing the accuracy of modifications, the software allows teams to adapt and innovate in real-time. Ultimately, this leads to a more efficient design process, ensuring that projects not only meet deadlines but also uphold the highest standards of safety and performance.