Introduction
CADS Structural Glass Designer is a set of calculation templates specifically developed to allow structural calculation checks of glass elements to be carried out. These includes checks for different structural elements, such as beams, columns, slabs, walls and/or balustrade panels, insulated glass units that are subject to different types of permanent and/or variable actions.
The use of glass as a structural material within buildings has become increasingly common over recent years. Using a simple and intuitive interface this CADS software assists the Structural Engineer to carry out quick and reliable design checks of the structural glass elements. It provides a particularly useful tool when iterative checks are required.
Summary
- Allows the Engineer to assess the capacity of simple, laminated, or insulated glass elements
- Increases productivity by automating repetitive design procedures or where different design options need to be quickly compared
- Reduces errors by standardising the design process for varying elements
- Improves checking and communication with other Engineers by producing simple calculation reports including formulae
- Documentation can be standardised and printed directly or exported to Word/PDF
Full description
- The checking is carried out based on the calculation framework presented in the Structural use of glass in buildings (2nd edition), published by the IStructE
- The strength of glass required is evaluated in accordance with the type of action applied to the glass element
- The effective thickness of the element required is evaluated in accordance with the type and duration of the loading
- Post-failure checks of the glass elements are also done
- Allows for laminated glass elements to be checked
- Sacrificial layers with different thickness may be specified
- Allows for inputting glass material properties
- Interlayer properties from library or manufacturer test sheets may be specified
- Input custom bending strength for glass based on the manufactures specification
- Customisable ratio limits, depending on the type of element
- Choice of different load types and support conditions for the elements
- 3D and 2D preview of the glass elements
- Customisable output with 3 levels of output details
- Numerical and/or formulae output for easy checking and presentation
- Clear results output summary with Pass/Fail limit for each individual check performed
- Easy sharing option by printing, exporting to file or individual calculation file sharing
"We have been using the CADS suite of software for over 20 years, the quality of the software and the level of support has always been outstanding"
