Industry standard in connection design
| IDEA Statica Connection | CYPE Connect | DLUBAL RFEM 6 Steel Joints add-on | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3D scene | ||||
| Solid/Transparent/ ... model view | ||||
| Sketches – sections | ||||
| Dimensions | ||||
| Measurement tool | ||||
| Plate clash warning | ||||
| Analysis types | ||||
| Overall check (Stress & Strain) | ||||
| Stiffness analysis | Only rotation stiffness | |||
| Capacity design | ||||
| Design resistance | ||||
| Buckling | with structural stability add-on | |||
| Fatigue analysis | ||||
| Horizontal tying resistance | ||||
| Fire resistance | ||||
| Anchoring | ||||
| Base plate | ||||
| Anchor check | ||||
| Concrete check (break out, compression, etc.) | ||||
| Shear lug | ||||
| Modeling operations | ||||
| Cut of member | ||||
| Stiffener | ||||
| Widener | ||||
| Rib | ||||
| Opening | ||||
| Stiffening member | ||||
| Stiffening plate | ||||
| Cut of plate | ||||
| Bolt grid | Only two entities can be bolted together | |||
| Anchor grid | ||||
| Contact | ||||
| Weld | ||||
| Working plane | ||||
| Negative volume cut | ||||
| Bolt checks | ||||
| Code-checks as per code | ||||
| Redistribution of stress along the group of bolts | only linear redistribution | only linear redistribution | ||
| Detailing check according to code | Partially implemented | |||
| Bilinear load-deformation diagram | ||||
| Preloaded bolts | ||||
| Weld checks | ||||
| Code-check according to code | ||||
| Redistribution of stress along the weld | Only linear weld behavior | Not available information | ||
| Stress value figure/visualization | ||||
| Bilinear load-deformation diagram | Not available information | |||
| Partial and intermittent | No intermittent weld | |||
| Cost estimates | ||||
| Material cost estimates of connections | ||||
| Code setup | ||||
| Code dependent values | ||||
| FEM solver properties | Partially implemented | |||
| Advanced analysis settings | ||||
| Code check settings | Partially implemented | |||
| Supported codes | ||||
| EN | ||||
| AISC | ||||
| CICS | ||||
| HKG | ||||
| AS | ||||
| IN | ||||
| CHN | ||||
| Databases | ||||
| Cross-sections standard | CHS not implemented | |||
| Cross-sections user - parametric | ||||
| Materials standard | Limited features (no notches, offsets, aligning, etc...) | |||
| Materials user - parametric | Limited features (no notches, offsets, aligning, etc...) | |||
| Design help & automation | ||||
| Initial design | ||||
| Pre-design | ||||
| Gallery | ||||
| Gallery | ||||
| Load editing | ||||
| Equilibrium check | ||||
| Value input | ||||
| Percentage input | ||||
| Load shift input | ||||
| Loads import | Partially implemented | Imported from FEM model automatically | ||
| Member editing | ||||
| General geometry | Imported from FEM model automatically | |||
| FEM boundary conditions | Imported from FEM model automatically | Imported from FEM model automatically | ||
| Member align | Imported from FEM model automatically | Imported from FEM model automatically | ||
| Templates | ||||
| Wizard – new project | ||||
| User templates | ||||
| Suggestion of suitable design | ||||
| Shared/cloud templates | ||||
| Plate check | ||||
| According to the code | ||||
| Plate Editor | ||||
| Plate Editor | ||||
| Property grid | ||||
| Pick in 3D feature | ||||
| Value change by key/mouse | ||||
| Multiple bolt/anchor input by string | ||||
| Report formats | ||||
| Word docx | ||||
| IFC export | ||||
| Report capabilities | ||||
| Pictures/Gallery/Sketches | ||||
| Bill of material | ||||
| Code checks | ||||
| Formulas and values | Limited features (no notches, offsets, aligning, etc...) | |||
| Customizable content | ||||
| Structural design results | ||||
| Visual results in 3D scene | ||||
| Overall check | ||||
| Strain check | ||||
| Buckling shape | with structural stability add-on | |||
| Equivalent stress | ||||
| Plastic strain | ||||
| Stress in contacts | ||||
| Bolt forces | ||||
| Anchor forces | ||||
| Mesh | ||||
| Deformed view | Not customizable | |||
| Solver capabilities | ||||
| Dedicated FEM solver | General, open-source FEM solver | Not available information | ||
| Calculation speed | 15 sec. | 2 mins. | 2.5 mins. | |
| Quad FE mesh | Only triangular FE mesh | |||
| Geometrically and Materially non-linear analysis | ||||
| Dedicated FE model for welds | Not available information | |||
| Advanced solver features (deplanation-warping) | Not available information | |||
| Interoperability | ||||
| Imports/exports from various SW | BIM links with 20+ FEA and CAD programs worldwide | Partially Implemented | RFEM 6 basic feature | |
| Open format data exchange | RFEM 6 basic feature | |||
| Timber design | ||||
| Steel-to-timber connections | ||||
| UX settings | ||||
| Automatic updates | ||||
| Imperial units | ||||
| One-window GUI (design, check, report) | ||||
| In-app help | ||||
| Verification and validation of results | ||||
| Verification examples done by the vendor | Not published | Not published | ||
| Verifications done by external authorities (universities, experts) | Not published | Not published | ||
| Verification book from a team of experts | Not published | |||
| Theoretical background | limited | |||
| Full explanation of the method used | Not published | Not published | ||
Story of innovation
The first release of IDEA StatiCa Connection in 2014 was a culmination of years of R&D in the field of structural engineering, and specifically in the design of steel connections. IDEA StatiCa is leading a network of universities and experts that was able to solve one of the trickiest parts of structural design today. As our customer base grew to 7000 customers worldwide, it is no surprise that some companies are trying to develop a similar solution for the structural design of all steel connections.
Malpractice warning
While we cannot stop these companies from presenting pictures resembling IDEA StatiCa, we encourage all engineers to check the technology and science behind these solutions thoroughly. To our best knowledge, these programs are based on prototypes of calculation models with very few verification examples and no scrutiny from external experts. They might calculate some connections right, especially with a low loading level, but they have nothing in common with rigorous connection design of IDEA StatiCa.
Source of this comparison
This is the comparison of three software with respective versions:
- IDEA StatiCa Steel, application Connection, version 23.1.0.3112
- CYPE Connect Steel, version 2024.b
- RFEM 6 Steel joints add-on, version 6.04.0002
We listed key IDEA StatiCa features on the left and identified their status of implementation in the other two. If something is missing in IDEA StatiCa and is implemented in the other software, it is also listed.
