Import of loads from FEA software

The automatic option (default)

The automatic option imports internal forces from all the existing load cases and load combinations from a defined result class in the FEA software.

To choose this approach, omit the Definition of loads in the Code-check manager during the import process and just click Finish and open the connection item.

Internal forces from all the 16 load combinations from the result class RC1 are imported for the analysis and code-check of the structural detail in IDEA StatiCa. 

The manual option

The manual option imports internal forces from the selected load cases and load combinations in the FEA software. This can be used to select e.g. just one load case, a group of load combinations, or all load effects at once.

To follow this approach, click the Definition of loads in the Code-check manager during the import process and follow the load definition process.

Skip the first two steps by clicking Next and in the window Result classes, remove the result class group RC1 from the items list.

Add the load cases and load combinations (e.g. all the 32 load combinations from the load groups LG5, LG7, and LG8 in this case) you want to use for the analysis in IDEA StatiCa.

 Click Finish and open the connection item.

Internal forces from all the 32 selected combinations are imported for the analysis and code-check of the structural detail in IDEA StatiCa.

The integrated combinator option

The integrated combinator evaluates the internal forces in existing load cases and load combinations from a defined result class in FEA software and automatically reduces the amount of the selection that should be imported to IDEA StatiCa based on an internal algorithm.

To choose this approach, click the Definition of loads in the Code-check manager during the import process and follow the load definition process.

Skip the first window by clicking Next and then in the window Combinations select the result class group RC1 and set the evaluation method to Envelope. The integrated combinator performs then the reduction of existing load cases and load combinations within this group RC1 and selects only the critical ones, while skips the load cases and load combinations that double or have lower intensities. 

In the next window Result classes only the RC1 result class is added, click Finish to close the definition of loads import. 

Click Finish and open the connection item.

In this case, internal forces from only 11 instead of 16 load combinations are imported, saving the analysis time while code-checking the structural detail in IDEA StatiCa.