Skip to main content

Auto design

Auto design​

Use Auto design to define design preferences and run automatic steel design for the selected design subtype.

The workflow is common for multiple steel subtypes, with some subtype-specific parameter dialogues.

Auto design tool

info

Auto design is not available for subtype Steel joint.


Tool palette​

When you activate Auto design, a tool palette opens.

Auto design tool palette

The tool palette contains the following main tools and options:

  • Parameters - opens a subtype-specific parameters dialogue after you select an element in model view.

  • Design - runs automatic design with the selected settings.

  • Calculation - lets you choose:

    • Load combinations
    • Load groups

  • Display table - checkbox that shows the utilization table.


Parameters dialogue​

When you select an element in model view, the Parameters dialogue opens based on the currently selected design subtype.


Steel bar subtype​

The dialogue opens with section selection where you choose allowed sections to be used in auto design.

Section selection in parameters dialogue

This selection is similar to the Bar Section dialogue.

note

To read more about section selection logic, see:
User interface ➔ Tab menus ➔ Structure ➔ Additional dialogues ➔ Bar Section

Additional options in this subtype:

  • Limit utilization - numeric field that allows using a target limit lower than 100%.

  • Consider deflection, if available (for non-vertical bars only) - checkbox to include deflection result check in design.


Steel bar, shell model subtype​

The dialogue contains a list of possible shell thicknesses.

Thickness selection in parameters dialogue

Each thickness has a checkbox so you can include or exclude it from the auto design candidates.


Steel bar, fire design subtype​

Parameters dialogue for fire design

The dialogue has two main options:

  • Design fire protection material

  • Calculate maximum temperature

When Design fire protection material is selected, these parameters are available:

  • Material - drop-down menu with an Edit library button. Shows all fire protection materials from the library.

  • Minimum thickness - numeric field.

  • Maximum thickness - numeric field.

  • Thickness increment - numeric field.

The Edit library button opens the Fire protection material library dialogue.

Fire protection material library

In this dialogue:

  • Top part shows the material list.

  • Middle part contains parameters: Name, Unit mass, Specific heat, Thermal conductivity, and Encasement.

  • Encasement is a drop-down with two options: Contour and Hollow.

  • Bottom part contains buttons: New, Modify, Delete, Import, Export.

When Calculate maximum temperature is selected, one parameter is available:

  • Temperature step - numeric field.

Regardless of selected radio option, there is one common parameter at the bottom:

  • Limit utilization - numeric field for utilization target.

Design tool​

Use Design to select suitable elements in model view and run automatic design with current settings.

When Display table is checked a Utilization table opens.

Utilization table after auto design

Utilization table structure​

The Utilization table is split into two tables:

  • Groups table (top) – shows design groups and ungrouped single elements.

  • Element details table (bottom) – shows detailed utilization results for elements in the selected group, or for the selected ungrouped single element.

Groups and element columns by subtype​

The group and element tables correspond to the steel auto design table for the selected subtype, using the same columns.

Groups columns:

  • Group – group name, or the element name when the row is an ungrouped single element.
  • Design parameters – parameters used for the design.
  • Applied profile – list of profiles applied to the group.
  • Applied fire protection – (for fire design) list of fire protection materials applied to the group.
  • Applied thicknesses – (only for Steel bar, shell model)list of fire protection material thicknesses applied to the group.
  • Max – maximum utilization in the group.
  • Min – minimum utilization in the group.
Element columns for Steel bar and Steel bar, fire design:​
  • Bar – element name
  • Max – maximum utilization.
  • RCS – cross-section resistance utilization.
  • FB – flexural buckling utilization.
  • TFB – torsional-flexural buckling utilization.
  • LTB,t – lateral-torsional buckling utilization for top flange response.
  • LTB,b – lateral-torsional buckling utilization for bottom flange response.
  • SB – shear buckling utilization.
  • IA – interaction equation utilization.
  • DL – deflection limit utilization (not shown for steel bar, fire design).
Element columns for Steel bar, shell model:​
  • Bar – element name
  • Max – maximum utilization.
  • Stress – maximum stress utilization.
  • FBS – flange buckling utilization for shell model checks.
  • FBW – web buckling utilization for shell model checks.
  • TB – torsional buckling utilization.
  • LTB – lateral-torsional buckling utilization.
  • LB – local buckling utilization.

Table options and buttons​

The bottom part always contains:

  • Show only visible objects in the table - limits rows to currently visible model objects.

  • Parameters - opens the same Parameters dialogue for selected row.

  • Design - runs design for selected row.

  • Delete - deletes applied design quantity for selected row.


Last update: 2026-05-08