Executive Summary:
This proposal outlines the need for enhancements to the rendering and analysis capabilities of curved members within the STAAD.Pro software. While curved members are essential for accurate modeling in various engineering applications, current limitations in their representation and stress analysis hinder the software's competitiveness and can lead to suboptimal designs.
Problem Statement:
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Inaccurate Rendering:
Issues with the visual representation of curved members in wireframe and 3D views, impacting model clarity and user experience.
Inconsistent rendering behavior depending on the direction of the curved element.
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Limited Stress Analysis:
Inability to accurately determine stresses at intermediate points along curved members.
Limitations in calculating stresses for curved members subjected to torsional loads.
Reliance on workarounds like discretization into multiple linear elements, which can increase computational cost and potentially reduce accuracy.
Proposed Solution:
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Enhance Curved Member Rendering:
Implement robust algorithms for accurate and consistent rendering of curved members in all display modes (wireframe, 3D, etc.).
Address the observed inconsistencies in rendering behavior.
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Improve Stress Analysis Capabilities:
Develop algorithms for accurate stress calculation at any point along the curved member, including those subjected to torsional loads.
Integrate these enhancements into existing stress analysis features (e.g., beam stress diagrams, 3D contours, member queries).
Consider alternative analysis methods, such as finite element analysis (FEA) techniques, for more complex curved member scenarios.
Benefits:
Increased Accuracy: More accurate stress analysis leads to more reliable designs, reducing the risk of structural failures.
Improved Efficiency: Enhanced rendering and analysis capabilities streamline the modeling and analysis process, saving time and resources.
Enhanced User Experience: Improved visual representation enhances model clarity and improves user interaction with the software.
Enhanced Competitiveness: Addressing these limitations strengthens STAAD.Pro's position as a leading structural analysis software in the market.
Next Steps:
Detailed Investigation: Conduct a thorough investigation into the specific limitations and user requirements related to curved member analysis.
Proof-of-Concept Development: Develop and test prototype implementations of the proposed enhancements.
User Feedback: Gather feedback from a diverse group of STAAD.Pro users to refine the proposed solutions and ensure they meet user needs.
Integration and Testing: Integrate the approved enhancements into the main STAAD.Pro software and conduct rigorous testing.
Conclusion:
Investing in the improvement of curved member capabilities within STAAD.Pro will significantly enhance the software's accuracy, efficiency, and user experience, ultimately benefiting both Bentley Systems and its customers.
Screenshots:
See document attached.
