CloudCalc is pleased to announce the release of Version 1.02.16, the application’s 36th update since its initial launch on June 2, 2014. You can verify that you automatically have this latest version by clicking on the Help Menu – the bottom of which shows the active version number. (If, for some reason it does not show this version, you may need to force a hard-refresh of your browser, via Ctrl-F5 on a PC, or Cmd-Shift-R on a Mac.)
This release incorporates the Virtual Joist and Virtual Joist Girder section property tables developed by the Steel Joist Institute (SJI). The intent is that these Virtual Joist tables are to be used in the structural models during the analysis, and code check phases of the design process as a way of standardizing joist sizes among different (and often unknown, at the time of the structural analysis) joist vendors.
CloudCalc has incorporated the more than 5200 SJI joists and joist girders into its online member database. These members may be accessed (and added to the working member list), via Tools->Catalog->Member Types Menu Command. Two different end type installations (bottom chord free vs. bottom chord fixed) may be modeled by freeing the mx-Member Release (or not), for fixed) – changing that setting will change the visual representation of the joist ends as well. Once used in a model, the joist weights, stiffnesses, and code compliance properties are calculated and used as recommended by SJI.
CloudCalc leaves one additional recommendation to the option of the user. SJI recommends that in most cases joists should be assumed to be continuously braced (this is due to the effect of the floor slab the joists are usually supporting). This can be modeled in CloudCalc either by setting the individual effective lengths lx, ly, and lz (found under Code Considerations) to 0.1 or via a single Configuration Setting. Clicking “Model VJ/VJG as Continuously Braced” accomplishes this on a global basis, without having to set the lengths of each of the individual joists.
To better learn how to use this new feature, we invite you to watch the short video Modeling Virtual Joists in CloudCalc.
Remember, because CloudCalc is delivered via the cloud, we are always able to provide more updates faster than you can expect from our PC-based competitors. We continue to average one update every 5 weeks over the past 3+ years. Let us know, at techsupport@cloudcalc.com, which update you would like to see next.
To learn more about CloudCalc, the scalable, collaborative, and mobile cloud-based engineering software, please visit: www.cloudcalc.com – Structural Analysis in the Cloud.
By Tom Van Laan
Copyright © CloudCalc, Inc. 2018
Engineering and the Cloud 