Compatibility of versions

Version compatibility

IDEA StatiCa software version (e.g. 22.1.3.0789) is described by a number represented by the major version (22), minor version (.1), patch number (.3), and build number (.0789).

Every major and minor version of IDEA StatiCa applications changes project data and makes it impossible to use in the previous versions. This means if you create or save a project in version 22.1, you can not open it in 22.0.

However, patches within the same version are compatible, so if you create or save a project in patch 22.1.3, you can still open it in patch 22.1.0.

The Viewer plugins always generate project files in the latest IDEA StatiCa version and patch released.

Opening old project in a newer version

Steel connection models designed in older versions of IDEA StatiCa may show differences when you upgrade to the newest version. When upgrading to a newer version of the program, you may encounter some differences associated with opening models created in older versions. Below is a list of the most important changes for each new version of the program that may lead to some changes in results:

Changes in version 23.0

• Qualification checks of seismic prequalified connections for AISC
• Update of ANSI/AISC 360-22, CSA S16:19 standards, and Taiwain sections 
• Anchors with stand-off (since patch 22.1.5)
• Eurocode updates to thin-walled members and anchors
• Detailing improvements for bolts and welds in Eurocode (since patch 23.0.2)
• Limitations to checks of anchors (since patch 23.0.2)
• Edge indexing in Member and Connection models
• Load on surface warning in Member
• Load Extreme Selection (since patch 22.1.3)
• Limited stress check feature in Detail
• Implementation of long-term losses in Detail
• Improvements for ACI 318-19 in Detail
• Imperial rounding improvements in Detail
• Equivalent time for deflection in Beam (since patch 22.1.3)
• Triangular mesh in concrete Member
• Interaction code-check improvements in RCS (since patch 23.0.2)
• Automatic selection of critical load combinations (since patch 22.1.3)

Changes in version 22.1

• Angle to the grain of the steel-to-timber connections
• GMNIA solver extended to shear and torsion effects

Changes in version 22.0

• Loads in equilibrium by default
• Fatigue analysis - how the results are displayed
• Through bolts for hollow sections warning
• Connection Lite update
• Update of eccentricity definition of a normal force for concrete columns according to Eurocode

Changes in version 21.1

• Bearing type options for bolts in version 21.1 and onwards
• Weld checks specifics as per Eurocode (EN) and Indian Standard (IS)
• Slip resistance check update according to SP 16

Changes in version 21.0 and newer

To get updated please read the release notes for every major and minor version released together with patch updates and lists of resolved bugs.

The biggest change since version 21.0 is in the analytical model of members in Connection, please read the Updated CBFEM solver article, and the Condensed superelements - invisible but essential blog post. The impact of the changes is also described in Analysis model improvements in IDEA StatiCa version 21.0 article.

Changes in version 20.1

Please read the release notes 20.1, here we point out articles describing the main differences between the older and newer version.

• Improved model of contacts
• Butt welds upgraded model
• Bolt bearing distances for Eurocode
• Connecting plate eccentricity

Changes in version 20

Cleat manufacturing operation refactoring

In the previous version Cleat manufacturing operation sometimes made L cross-section legs swapped, mostly while the members were rotated along the longitudinal axis. From now on, the L sections are positioned correctly, and the legs orientation is kept the same while introducing rotation to the member. The new mechanism behind is based on the new member positioning (by its LCS coordinates - rather then it's Rotations).

Local coordinate systems of the members in FEA/CAD applications

All member entities in FEA/CAD applications are created in a way that their definition axis has the start and the end. These two points are taken as a vector to define the local coordinate system of the member. In each FEA/CAD application project are these data information stored and can be used during the import. We took advantage of that, and it helps to improve the correctness of our BIM link geometry import. On the other hand, it changes the rules of the game, and the user must pay attention to the way how the model is created in FEA/CAD because it has an impact on the CBFEM Connection model also. We recommend to pay attention while importing from FEA/CAD projects into the version 20, the local coordinate system of the members may change the model to and difference compared to the model imported into the previous versions is eminent. 

Member application projects compatibility

IDEA StatiCa Member application passes through agile development, especially the data storage architecture and the guided user interface. Based on this it's obvious that the projects created in the older versions may not be correctly opened in version 20 or the application may fail to open them. Please be aware of that and excuse IDEA StatiCa for inconvenience. 

Changes in version 10.1 and older

One of the reasons behind the new GUI is that a lot of engineers were saying: „IDEA StatiCa Connection needs to be more error-proof”. These “errors” are usually related to:

• Setting the correct length of members – in cases of extremely short or long members, this can hugely influence the results. Since version 9, IDEA StatiCa Connection automatically sets an appropriate length of all members.
• Welds – stress plastic redistribution is by far the most accurate design method for welds and was introduced in version 7.1. During version 8 – and as a transition period - it was the default method, coexisting with the other evaluation methods. Since version 9, this method is the only option available and the other evaluation methods have been removed, to avoid confusion among the users, as we have seen through our helpdesk. This ensures that all welds in the project are safely designed and complying with the code.

We have implemented several control mechanisms for IDEA StatiCa Connection since version 9.0 – automatic-check when the connection is modeled in a recommend way (singularity check, member lengths, their offsets, …). If the connection is not modeled properly, the calculation is interrupted or an error message is displayed. Please be aware that because of all of these improvements, opening projects from previous versions can lead to a different model geometry that may need some further editing.

We have also improved meshing of hollow sections members – IDEA StatiCa Connection since version 9.0 generates finer meshing on hollow section members which might lead to slightly different results compared to older versions.

We display the compatibility warning on each opening of a project from the older versions: