Automatic member length

Members in IDEA StatiCa Connection are loaded by rigid links at their ends, and the stresses in members have to develop along the short member lengths so that the results in connections are accurate.

The member stubs modeled by shell elements are elongated behind the last manufacturing operation by a length that depends on the settings of Code setup and cross-section dimensions. Code setup entries in section Model and Mesh, 'Default length of standard member' and 'Default length of member with hollow cross-section', set the multiplier of the larger of the cross-section outer dimension. The default multiplier is set quite short, to 1.25 because behind these member stubs, the condensed elements are utilized.  

In the example of this cross-section in the figure below, the automatic length is by default AL = 1.25 × b = 1.25 × 200 = 250 mm.

The last manufacturing operation is the opening, bolt, weld, or contact connected to the member. Note that the continuous member is elongated on both sides symmetrically.

The only exception is the widener. Because the haunches modeled by wideners may be very long, the long wideners do not elongate the member. What is the difference between short and long wideners?

• Short widener: Widener ends before the end of visible stub part (the last manufacturing operation at the member plus the automatic length) 
• Long widener: Widener ends behind the end of visible stub part (the last manufacturing operation at the member plus the automatic length)