First of all. XFrame3d is getting the new name XFEM4U.
Why? XFrame3d of course referred to 3d frameworks, but by now our flagship product can do so much more than that. Think for example of a calculation of 3d frameworks in steel and/or timber, concrete beam grids, slab foundation, flat plates supported by columns or walls, walls, shells, and so on. Whether or not combined in one model.
Hence the new name XFEM4U.
No worries. All the projects you have already made with XFrame3d can of course still be opened and calculated.
But not only the name has changed. A lot of new features has been added. In the past months we have worked hard to further development of XFEM4U.
The most important new features:
1. New Calculation of reinforcement in plates, walls and shells
We have an effective and especially pleasant cooperation with Prof. Johan Blaauwendraad. Johan has developed a calculation method with which reinforcement in a plate or shell can be designed efficiently. He has also advised us to use hybrid quadrilateral elements because they enable us to determine an accurate shear force. Johan has supported us in the realization and implementation of this.
In autumn there will be a publication in Cement by Prof. Johan Blaauwendraad about the calculation with such a hybrid plate/shell element as implemented by Struct4U.
To be able to calculate quadrilateral elements we also had to incorporate another mesh-er. And that's what we did. That new meshing tool works really great and is also more intuitive.
The longitudinal reinforcement and shear reinforcement are automatically designed for strength (ULS) and also for cracking (SLS). At our request, Prof. Johan Blaauwendraad and Dr. Ir. Dr. René Braam also made the necessary verification calculations.
2. New Line loads and linear supports
We have added dummy beams. With those dummy beams, you can enter any line load on a slab. But you can also use dummy beams to enter any line supports. Below is an example of line loads on a slab.
3. New The spy has been replaced by an entirely new spy
The spy allows you to retrieve for example bending moments in any cross section of the beam. How? Simply by moving the mouse over the beam axis. This works very intuitively. You will probably like it.
In release notes you will find an overview of all changes.
Click here to install the new XFEM4U version (5.04.01) immediately.
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