Intro
This plugin streamlines the process of creating and managing load combinations for structural design in midas Civil NX. It provides options for defining load cases, factors, and settings required for specific design scenarios, ensuring compatibility with both standard and custom design codes.
Version
- v1.1.0 : Plugin release
Applicable Standards
- General Use
Benefits of this plugin
Common queries from our standard product included:
- Missing load combinations for certain countries or revised/old codes.
- The need to incorporate additional special load combinations to meet the requirements of local governments, stringent review processes, or the designer's aspirations.
Defining such a large number of load combinations is a tedious process. To address this, the plugin offers the following features:
- Users can generate load combinations with minimal input.
- An option to import input data from an Excel file.
- The ability to export a wizard file of the generated load combinations for future use. This will save a significant amount of time and allow users to build their own library of load combination generation inputs.
- Automatically creates an envelope of the generated combinations.
How to use this plugin?
1. Open the plugin “Customized Load Combination Auto-Generator”
2. Add the input in the load combination list
A : Name of the load combination
B : Active status. Choose from the following options:
- Inactive: May be created in Civil if the user selects it.
- Local: Visible only in the plugin.
- Strength: Will be created in Civil and designed for Ultimate Limit State (ULS).
- Service: Will be created in Civil and designed for Serviceability Limit State (SLS).
C : Choose one of the following Types:
- Add: Add all the cases in one combination.
- Either: Consider only one of the cases in one combination.
- Envelope: Create an envelope of cases in the combination.
3. Add the Load cases and Load factors :
A : Choose Load Case name
- Imported as generated in Civil in drop down menu.
List updated to include defined combo in plug-in (e.g., Static, RS, MVL, TH, Settlement, etc.)
B : Choose Sign:
- + : Only positive values of the factor.
- - : Only negative values of the factor.
- ± : Permutation of positive and negative factors.
- +, -: Only positive and only negative factors.
C : Choose appropriate Factor (up to 5) as per the need
- Values must be entered by the user.
- At least one factor is required for an imported load case.
- All factor one values in one load combination will be used concurrently.
4. Additional inputs :
A : Generate Envelope Load Combinations in Midas. Will generate an envelope of the generated combinations.
- Imported as generated in Civil in drop down menu.
List updated to include defined combo in plug-in (e.g., Static, RS, MVL, TH, Settlement, etc.)
B : Generate Inactive Load Combinations in Midas. Will generate load combinations marked as "Inactive."
- + : Only positive values of the factor.
- - : Only negative values of the factor.
- ± : Permutation of positive and negative factors.
- +, -: Only positive and only negative factors.
C : Generate Load Combinations In. Select the tab where combinations will be generated.
- Options: Steel Design, Concrete Design, SRC Design, Composite Steel Girder Design
5. Click on Generate Load Combination
6. Check notification of your action:
A : After generating, check for the notification confirming the action.
7. View the output by navigating Results > Load Combination > Steel Design
8. Additional options:
A : Export Load Combination Input. Export the wizard file for use with other models. This is helpful for generating templates for specific design codes (e.g., TMH, AREMA) and for regenerating load combinations in Civil NX in case of errors.
B : Import Load Combination Input. Import the generated wizard file.
Conclusion
The Customized Load Combination Auto-Generator plugin significantly simplifies the process of defining and managing load combinations, saving users valuable time and effort. By automating the creation and export of load combinations, it enhances efficiency and ensures compliance with various design standards. This tool empowers users to quickly generate, store, and reuse load combinations for future projects.