As a software house we get a rather unique and interesting view of the Consultant Engineering industry. More and more there appears to be a gradually widening gap between those companies that are using software to move forwards and those that are standing still.
This article looks at an example of how some progressive companies are using the latest tools to become more efficient and successful . . .

The introduction of the Eurocodes represents one of the largest challenges that the UK Structural Engineering industry is ever likely to experience. This period of significant change provides an unprecedented opportunity to review and improve on practices currently used within organisations. One such practice that has developed over the years, almost without planning, is the proliferation of spreadsheets used in design.

Engineers now routinely have access to highly capable 3D analysis packages often including the ability to use finite elements (FE shell elements). More and more structures are being analysed in 3D, and as suppliers of such software we at CSC are certainly being faced with increasingly frequently asked questions relating to the modelling of shear and core wall systems using shell elements within the context of a 3D model.

With the advent of BS 5950-1: 2000 the treatment of second-order effects, particularly in relation to the susceptibility of buildings to 'sway', has come more to the fore. Many buildings, even conventionally braced structures, have been shown to be 'sway sensitive' when the clarified rules of BS 5950-1: 2000 are applied.

The objective of this article is to provide engineers with a short introduction to the different methods of P-Delta analysis currently available in commercial software form.

We occasionally see and hear comments suggesting that structural design codes are not written in ways that allow practical/experienced engineers to go about their business in an economic fashion. (Let's not stir up this debate). We have even experienced assertions that we (the computer industry) have infiltrated "the system" and have influenced the codes so that it is impossible to design anything without the aid of software. I can honestly say that we have not worked out how to do that yet!

Whether you think you need them or not, second-order effects in structures will always occur and always need to be considered. Whether you need to do anything about them depends upon the type of structure with which you are dealing. In a cable stayed, membrane structure, second-order effects are obviously important. This article asks the question in relation to 'normal rectilinear' multi-storey buildings in steelwork.

The construction sector is going through a period of significant change. The power of technology, the drive for improved efficiency and the increasing use of partnership projects will fundamentally affect structural engineers. This will be in terms of how they undertake design and how they interact with members of the project team.
How are we going to embrace the new technologies required to implement these increased efficiencies? Will they be seen as opportunities and challenges or threats?

The objective of this document is to provide a short introduction to engineers on the different methods of 2nd order analysis currently available in commercial software form. In order to provide a document which is able to be appreciated by a wide range of engineers, the document also includes a simple overview of what the P-delta effects are.

The long awaited version of BS5950-1:2000, Structural use of steelwork in building - Part 1: Code of practice for design - Rolled and welded sections, arrived finally in May 2001 with an effective date of 15th August 2001.

A paper wall - How solid is that paper wall - The Structural Engineer, 3rd July 2001, Vol 79 No.13
Clients, architects, engineers, detailers, fabricators and contractors constantly create, use and transfer information internally and between each other. This information is the primary building block of any structure. On many projects today, this information is still delivered in 2D and on paper.