Limcon v3.

is a design aid for steel connections

Distributor: COMPUTERS & ENGINEERING
Engineering Software Consulting and Provision Center
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Tel: 0049 (0)6406 73667 Fax: 0049 (0)6406 4745
E-Mail: baser@comp-engineering.com
http://www.comp-engineering.com

CONNECTION
TYPES
For each connection type, a
specific dialog box shows a
diagram of the connection and
offers logically grouped data
input. The connection diagram
may be switched between a
detail of the connection and an
input parameter key diagram. All
connection details including
steel section, plate dimensions
and grade, bolting configuration,
and weld details are accessible
through the connection dialog
box. A virtual reality view of the
connection may be displayed as
an additional aid for checking input data. Results of capacity checks are displayed in the lower window of
the dialog box. Thesre are buttons to generate a CAD DXF detail and to print a full report with results of
checks on each limit state included in the model. Section properties are extracted from a library file
containing standard steel sections. A number of libraries are available for sections. You may change any
library or create a new one using the Section Library Manager.
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Design Codes
Limcon V3 is a design aid for steel connections. Limcon is normally supplied configured
for one of the following design codes:

ANSI/AISC 360-05 (ASD & LRFD)

CSA-S16-01
BS 5950 : 2000
EN 1993 : 2005 (EC3)
AS 4100 / NZS 3404

Each connection design model is essentially defined by the cited reference but the
relevant provisions of the configured design code take precedence where any difference
occurs.
The design code can only be changed when Limcon has been supplied validated for
more than one design code. When Limcon is validated for ANSI/AISC 360-05 you may
choose either ASD or LRFD.
The File > Configure > General command permits the country and the section
library to be changed. The country determines which steel grades may be used for plate
components and the section library determines availability of steel sections and their
grades.

The Limcon Window

The Limcon window is a multi-cell view with the main menu and toolbar at the top.
Each connection in the current job is shown in miniature as a thumbnail in a cell. A data
tip appears when the cursor passes over a cell containing a connection. Double-clicking
on a thumbnail displays a dialog box (see below) for editing the connection data. Rightclicking on a thumbnail displays a menu offering commands to show the connection at
full size, edit, copy, or print the connection.
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Printed Output
The report for an MEPC is shown below. The first page of this report shows dimensions
and design actions and the second page shows results of all checks performed. You
may supply a 1200 x 200 pixel bitmap in order to print your company logo at the top of
each page.

The Connection Dialog Box

There is a dialog box for each connection type that lets you input details and factored
loads for your connection and check it against the design code. The dialog box for the
AISC MEPC is shown below. Initially, it contains data for a default connection - click
buttons to change any item of data and as you do, the detail diagram is updated. The
output window at the bottom of the dialog box contains the design check report - click
the Expand button to see it in a larger window, or Print to print it (see report, below).

Clicking the View button (with the connection image) displays a virtual reality window so
you can check the appearance of the connection. Rotate the connection by dragging the
left mouse button, pan by dragging the right mouse button, and zoom with the mouse
wheel.

The main menu is the principal command interface. Each main menu item gives access
to a drop-down menu of commands. In general, each toolbar button corresponds to a
menu item. Double-clicking on a thumbnail or selecting a command on the Connections
menu displays a dialog box for the particular connection. From this dialog box you may
check or design a connection.

Dialog Box for Bolted Moment End Plate Connection

A detail window on the left of the dialog box shows the current configuration of the
connection. The parameters defining the connection are shown in boxes on the right
and an adjacent Edit or "" button permits editing of any of the enclosed parameters.
The output window at the bottom of the dialog box displays the most recent results of a
check or design operation.
The Go button and the adjacent Check and Design option buttons initiate the selected
check or design operation. Clicking the View button displays a virtual reality view of the
connection. The Print button prints a report containing a detail diagram and the current
results, while the DXF button creates an AutoCAD format drawing exchange file
containing a detail of the current connection.

The check operation reports the capacity of the current connection configuration for all
failure modes specified in the connection model. The design function uses an iterative
method, changing some connection parameters, in an attempt to achieve an optimum
connection configuration for the design load. Some connection parameters (e.g. bolt
diameter) are not changed during design. The connection parameters that may change
during design are displayed in red when design mode is selected.
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Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality Viewer
Clicking the View button in a connection dialog
box displays a new window containing a virtual
reality view of the connection. This view is not
available on displays with less than 16-bit color.
Initially, the connection is shown rotating in the
window. You may drag the mouse to rotate the
view to any convenient orientation and zoom by
pressing the PageUp / Page Down or + / - keys.
Keyboard arrow keys also rotate the view. The
pop-up menu shown appears when you right-click
in the window. On this you may select an option
so that dragging the mouse pans the display
instead of rotating it. You may also select various
fixed views, including a plan and elevation.

Limcon Configuration

The File > Configure > General command allows

you to set the default library file, edit library files,
set text size, and set OpenGL parameters.
Configuration settings are saved from run to run,
for each user.

File > Configure > General Dialog Box

Analysis Methods for Splices & Moment Connections

The distribution of forces between the flanges and web in BSPL, WSPL, BMEP, HBEP, and WBC
connections is determined by the analysis method set with the File > Configure > General
command. There are three different methods - these are elastic, plastic, and simplified analysis
methods.
The elastic method is recommended in Ref. 4 and the AASHTO 1999 Interim. Plastic analysis
gives a more rational force distribution when the factored loads are sufficient to cause yield.
Other analysis methods may then produce flange forces that exceed the capacity of the flange.
The elastic method is the default for checking to AS 4100. The simplified method is a traditional
approach in which the flange plates are assumed to resist all the moment and axial force while
the web plates resist the shear (and the resulting eccentricity moment). Choosing the simplified
method gives designs with stronger flange plates and weaker web plates. It is the default
method when Limcon is configured for BS 5950 or AISC LRFD.
All three analysis methods give safe, lower bound, designs but the simplified method leads to
more yielding and redistribution of forces as the connection conforms to the applied loading.
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SECTION LIBRARY MANAGER

SECTION LIBRARY MANAGER WINDOW

After you have selected a destination library Microstran's Section Library Manager
displays the dialog box shown above. There is a tree view of the destination library on
the right while all available library source files are shown on the left. Each library may
be expanded to show the section categories and each of these may be expanded to
show the sections contained in the category. You may select any library, category, or
section on the left and click the arrow button to send it to the destination library on the
right.
Double-clicking a section on the right will display a section property dialog box in which
you may alter any value.

I SECTION PROPERTY DIALOG BOX

During the compilation of the output library source file the properties of all sections are
checked and a warning is displayed for each value that differs by more than 1% from
the check value. This is a powerful tool in eliminating errors in section libraries.

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Web Update

Check Version Dialog Box

You may use the web update facility in Limcon to determine when an update is required. While
your computer is connected to the internet, clicking the Check Version button in the Help About
dialog box will display the dialog box above. This shows the dates of your Limcon software and
dates of the current web downloads so you can see whether an update is required.
LIMCON is easy to use with many advanced Windows features, such as HTML Help, pop-up
Help, tooltips and data tips. The full manual is available on-line with table of contents, index,
and a text-search facility.
Clicking the DXF button in a connection dialog box creates an AutoCAD DXF with a detail of the
current connection. The print button generates an analysis reort with a dimensional detail
diagram.

Moment End Plate Connections for RHS/SHS

4-Bolt Moment End Plate Connection for

RHS/SHS

8-Bolt Moment End Plate Connection for

RHS/SHS

These connections are available for RHS and SHS compact sections only. The design models,
based on 2-dimensional yield line analysis, were developed in recent Sydney University research
projects that included full-scale testing (see R745 and R827).
Bolts must be high-strength tensioned bolts, such as 8.8/TB or A325PT. The design models are
only valid for a combination butt/fillet weld of specified leg dimension all around the section.

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Hollow Structural Section (HSS) Connections

Limcon V3 checks common connections in steel hollow structural sections (HSS). The principal
reference for these connections is the ASI publication, Design of Structural Steel Hollow Section
Connections. The book, which uses CIDECT design models, covers these connections:

Base Plate
Limcon checks many kinds of base plate connection.
The view below shows the base plate for a UB column
- you can also check base plates for other I sections,
channels, and hollow sections. Holding-down bolts
may have an ordinary bolt head or a hook. There is no
design function for the base plate connection.

HSS Cap Plate Connection

The design model for this connection permits a
tension load on a column, which may be RHS, SHS, or
CHS. The design model does not include compression
because the connection components are minimally
loaded by the bearing action of the column.

Web Side Plate (Fin Plate) Connection

You can check or design many variations on the
connection shown. There may be one or two columns
of bolts in the cleat. The support may be a beam web,
a column web or flange, or a hollow section.

AISC Flush & Extended MEPCs

The recent AISC Steel Design Guide No. 16 Flush and
Extended Multiple Row Moment End Plate Connections

sets out design models for both flush and extended end
plate moment connections with multiple bolt rows. The
models, which rely on 2-dimensional yield-line analysis,
were verified by full-scale tests. Limcon implements the
unstiffened flush end plate and stiffened and unstiffened
extended end plate models. The extended end plate
MEPCs have greater plate bending capacity than the
BMEP. This is largely because the MEPC model uses 2dimensional yield line analysis while that used in the BMEP
model is 1-dimensional. Also, significant increases in
capacity result when increasing the number of bolt rows
inside the flanges of the MEPC or adding a stiffener. The
stiffened flush end plate models may be included in
Limcon in the future.
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Bracing Connection
You can check or design many types of simple bracing cleat. Bracing member types
permitted are:

Single angle, cleat on long leg.

Single angle, cleat on short leg.
Back-to-back double angles, cleat between long legs.
Back-to-back double angles, cleat between short legs.
Rod with end plate.
Flattened tube.
Cleated hollow section.
Hollow section with tee plate.
Rolled section with cleat plate.

Single Angle, Cleat on Long Leg

Single Angle, Cleat on Short Leg

Back-to-Back Double Angles,

Cleat Between Long Legs

Back-to-Back Double Angles,

Cleat Between Short Legs

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Rod with Attached Plate

Flattened Tube

Slotted Hollow Section

Hollow Section with Tee Plate

Rolled Section

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HSS Mitred Knee Connection

This design model is available for SHS
members RHS members whose widths
are the same. The capacity of the
connection is greater with the optional
stiffening plate.

HSS Y/T Connection

There are many possible configurations
of this connection, one of which are
shown below. The chord may be RHS,
SHS, CHS, or an I section. The brace
may be RHS, SHS, or CHS. Not all
combinations of section types are
permitted.

HSS X Connection
There are many possible configurations
of this connection, one of which are
shown below. The chord may be RHS,
SHS, CHS, or an I section. The brace
may be RHS, SHS, or CHS. Not all
combinations of section types are
permitted.

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HSS K/N Gap Connection with CHS

Chord and Braces
There are many possible configurations
of this connection, some of which are
shown below. The chord may be RHS,
SHS, CHS, or an I section. The braces
may be RHS, SHS, or CHS. Not all
combinations of section types are
permitted.

K/N Gap Connection with RHS Chord and

SHS Braces

K/N Gap Connection with I Section Chord

and SHS Braces
HSS K/N Overlap Connection with
CHS Chord and Braces
There are many possible configurations of
this connection, some of which are shown
below. The chord may be RHS, SHS, CHS,
or an I section. The braces may be RHS,
SHS, or CHS. Not all combinations of
section types are permitted.

K/N Overlap Connection with SHS Chord

and Braces

K/N Overlap Connection with SHS Chord

and Braces

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