Development Proposal: Enhancing Robot Structural Analysis for Steel Portal Frame Design
Several tools and features are currently missing in Robot Structural Analysis (RSA) that would significantly simplify and improve the design and verification of steel portal frames according to the Eurocodes.
The following developments would be particularly useful:
-Automatic calculation of the structural coefficient ( CsCd ), including the relevant parameters required by the Eurocodes.
-Integration of the correlation factor ( Kdc ) for automatic consideration in the structural design process.
-Generation of irregularly spaced portal frames to allow more realistic 3D wind load generation and distribution.
-Introduction of a flat roof type (terrace roof) to accurately calculate wind loads on roofs for multi-span frames or roofs with a pitch of less than 5 degrees.
-Automatic consideration of snow accumulation in roof valleys , including the relevant Eurocode load cases and load distribution.
-Automatic calculation of the critical load factor (alpha_cr) for portal frames, with clear reporting of the calculated value and its application in stability verification.
-Consideration of equivalent forces representing initial out-of-plumb imperfections, with automatic generation and application of the corresponding horizontal forces in accordance with the Eurocodes.
-Improved automation of load generation and load combinations specifically adapted to industrial steel buildings and portal frame structures.
These improvements would make Robot Structural Analysis a more complete and efficient solution for the design of steel portal frames according to the Eurocodes. They would also reduce manual calculations, minimize the risk of modelling errors, and improve the overall workflow between structural modelling, load generation, stability analysis, and code verification.
The objective is to provide engineers with a more automated and integrated workflow for the design of complex steel structures, particularly industrial buildings with single-span, multi-span, and multi-bay portal frames.
