One such software tool is Limcon, a productivity-geared steel connection design software developed by Bentley Systems. Limcon is a powerful and user-friendly software that allows engineers to design and check various types of steel connections, including beam-to-column, brace end, member splices, anchorage to concrete, and complicated multi-member joints. Limcon supports a number of international design standards, such as AISC, AS, BS, CSA, EC3, GB, IS, NZS, and SANS. Limcon also offers additional codes and connections as a companion to RAM Connection, which is Bentley's premier connection design software.
How Limcon Works
Limcon works by using a library of standard connection types that cover most common scenarios in steel connection design. Engineers can select the appropriate connection type from the library and input the required parameters, such as member sizes, forces, materials, bolts, welds, plates, and stiffeners. Limcon then performs a comprehensive limit state design check for all relevant failure modes, such as shear, moment, tension, compression, bearing, tear-out, block shear, buckling, and fatigue. Limcon also provides an option to automatically optimize the connection design by finding the minimum cost or weight solution that satisfies the design criteria.
Limcon displays the results of the design check in a concise and clear calculation summary that shows the governing limit states and the corresponding utilization ratios. Limcon also generates detailed calculation reports that show the step-by-step calculations and references to the design codes. Moreover, Limcon allows engineers to export the connection geometry and details to CAD format directly from the software for further documentation and fabrication purposes.
Benefits of Using Limcon
Using Limcon for steel connection design can bring many benefits to engineers and their projects. Some of these benefits are:
Increased productivity: Limcon can significantly reduce the time and effort required for steel connection design by using a library of standard connection types and an automatic optimization feature. Engineers can quickly arrive at optimal solutions for various connection scenarios without having to manually iterate through different options.
Improved accuracy: Limcon can ensure the accuracy and reliability of steel connection design by performing comprehensive limit state checks for all relevant failure modes according to the selected design codes. Engineers can avoid errors and oversights that may compromise the safety and performance of steel structures.
Enhanced flexibility: Limcon can handle complex and non-standard connections that may not be covered by other software tools. Engineers can customize the connection parameters and modify the connection geometry to suit their specific needs and preferences.
Simplified documentation: Limcon can facilitate the documentation and communication of steel connection design by generating concise calculation summaries and detailed calculation reports that show the rationale and references behind the design decisions. Limcon can also export the connection geometry and details to CAD format for further drawing and fabrication purposes.
Conclusion
Limcon is a productivity-geared steel connection design software that can help engineers design and check various types of steel connections with ease and accuracy. Limcon uses a library of standard connection types that cover most common scenarios in steel connection design and performs comprehensive limit state checks for all relevant failure modes according to the selected design codes. Limcon also provides an option to automatically optimize the connection design by finding the minimum cost or weight solution that satisfies the design criteria. Limcon can handle complex and non-standard connections that may not be covered by other software tools and can export the connection geometry and details to CAD format for further documentation and fabrication purposes. By using Limcon, engineers can increase their productivity, improve their accuracy, enhance their flexibility, and simplify their documentation in steel connection design.
If you want to learn more about Limcon or download a free trial version of the software, you can visit [Bentley's website] or [watch this video].
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