Fast auto design and check are available to find the most suitable timber bar cross-sections and panel types.

The table summarizes the available timber design features by FEM-Design module.

Design element type	Design feature
Timber Bar	Auto design
	Manual design
Timber Panel	Auto design
	Manual design

Table: Timber design features by FEM-Design module

Load-Duration Classes

Based on Eurocode 5 (EN 1995-1-1:2004), load-duration classes can be taken into account in the Timber design.

The load-duration classes are characterized by the effect of constant load acting for a certain period of time in the life of the structure. For a variable action the appropriate class shall be determined on the basis of an estimate of the typical variation of the load with time.

Actions shall be assigned to one of the load-duration classes given for strength and stiffness calculations.

Table: Load-duration classes and examples of load-duration assignment (EN 1995-1-1:2004)

Since climatic loads (snow, wind) vary between countries, the assignment of load-duration classes may be specified in the National annex.

Loads can be assigned to load-duration classes with the Load cases command in the  Tabmenu.

Figure: Load cases and load-duration classes

Timber Bar

Global Auto (timber bar) design (Calculate > Design calculations > Auto design all structural elements) finds the most suitable cross-section (from the profile range set at Auto design > Parameters) for all timber bars (columns, beams and truss members) based on their initial calculation parameters, internal forces and detailed utilization calculations. With Manual design you can run quick utilization check for given profiles by bar elements and/or design groups. You can also do quick Auto design by elements and design groups only instead of global design. Of course, any number of design cycles is executable, so the global Auto design can be combined with both previous and additional element-based Auto designs.

No.	Global timber bar design	Element-based timber design	Combined timber design
1	Calculation parameters	Global Analysis	Calculation parameters
2	Design group	Calculation parameters	Design group
3	Auto design > Parameters	Design group	Design Parameters
4	Global Auto design	Auto design > Parameters	Global Auto design
5	Documentation	Auto design by elements	Auto design > Parameters
6		Manual design by elements	Auto design by elements
7		Apply design changes	Manual design by elements
8		Global Check	Apply design changes
9		Documentation	Global Check
10			Documentation

Table: Recommended steps by design alternatives

Initial Calculation and Design Parameters

All bar design calculations needs internal forces from Analysis calculations applied for Load combinations or Load-groups,  Buckling length and initial design settings defined by  Design calculation parameters.

Figure: Design calculation parameters

Auto Design

Figure: Global Auto design and utilization result

The recommended profile names can be displayed on screen by showing the “Timber bar, applied quantity” object layer, or click  Design tool of the Auto design and the parameters together with utilization results are available in table format. Utilization as colored figure (color palette) can be displayed by selecting New result > Timber bar > Utilization.

Applied profiles are displayed in blue in the Utilization table, if they are assigned to the timber bars during design, otherwise black color represents the original/initial profiles.

Element-based Auto design finds the most suitable profile of timber columns, beams and bars for selected unique or grouped members only from a range of available profiles defined by  Parameters. The design utilization can be limited between 10% and 100% with Limit utilization.

Figure: Range of available profiles for design

To run element-based design for the load combinations or the maximum of load groups, select the required members and/or group with the Auto design command and click  Design tool. The quick process results recommended profiles and their utilization. Check the Display table box to have a look at the overall design results (see the figure before).

The upper table shows the design efficiency and the maximal utilization of the designed single members and groups based on the given design parameters. The bottom table displays the utilization details of the bar or the members of the group selected in the upper table.

	Meaning	Note
	Suitable profile is available
	Suitable profile is not available	Modify the range of available profiles or timber materials
Group	ID of a single bar or a group name
Design parameters	The defined range of available profiles
Applied profile	Profile currently assigned to the bar
Max	Max. utilization of a single bar or the significant member of a group
Min	Max. utilization of the less significant group member
Bar	ID of a single bar or a group member
T	Utilization for combined bending and axial tension	According to Eurocode 5: 6.2.3
C	Utilization for combined bending and axial compression	According to Eurocode 5: 6.1.4, 6.2.4
S	Utilization for combined shear and torsion	According to Eurocode 5: 6.1.7, 6.1.8
FB1	Utilization for flexural buckling around axis 1	According to Eurocode 5: 6.3.2
FB2	Utilization for flexural buckling around axis 2	According to Eurocode 5: 6.3.2
LTB	Utilization for lateral torsional buckling	According to Eurocode 5: 6.3.3

Table: The meaning of symbols, design parameters and utilization results

Quick redesign can be done inside the Utilization table:

1. Select a bar or a design group in the upper table.
2. Modify the range of available profiles for the select element under Parameters.
3. Click Design.

Save /load default sections

For each section type (e.g. Dressed lumber, Glulam, etc.) a set of sections can be saved/loaded as default.

This will only work with one type cross-section (e.g. only Glulam, or only Sawn lumber) selected. Otherwise, with Save command, the user can save a set of arbitrary sections into a file, and use them later for another model by Load command.

Manual Design

With Manual design quick utilization check can be done for given timber profile and for selected timber beam, column, bar or design group only. Just, choose the load type (load combination or load group) and a profile name from the drop-down lists and select a bar, bars or group, and program displays detailed utilization results in table format.

Figure: Quick check by Manual design

The meaning of the utilization components, the table content and features are the same as written before at Auto design. The program use the chosen profile for all selected bar elements.

Detailed Result

Utilization of timber bars can be displayed in the following cases:

• After global Auto design, you can display utilization of all timber bars checked for the recommended profiles.
• When running element-based Auto design, utilization can be displayed by designed elements.
• After Manual design, element-based Check displays utilization for selected elements.
• After global Check done for all bar elements having final cross-section.

No.	Global Auto design	Element-based Auto des.	Element-based Check	Global Check
1	Calculate>Design calculation>Auto design all structural elements	Auto design	Auto design and/or   Manual design	Auto design and/or   Manual design
2	New result > Timber bar	New result >Timber bar	Check	Apply changes
3			New result > Timber bar	Calculate > Design calculation > Auto design all structural elements
4				New result > Timber bar

Table: Steps of displaying timber bar utilization by different design cases

Detailed result opens a new window in the current project after selecting a bar/group member, which displays:

• Applied cross-section
  The figure displays the applied timber cross-section with its main calculation parameters.
  
  
  
  Figure: Applied cross-section

• Detailed calculation formulas
  Calculation details and final values are collected by checking types: Combined bending and axial tension (Eurocode5: 6.2.3), Combined bending and axial compression (6.1.4, 6.2.4), Combined shear and torsion (6.1.7, 6.1.8), Flexural buckling around axis 1 and 2 (6.3.2) and Lateral torsional buckling (6.3.3). The proper results are displayed in green, while the red result warnings you to repeat design with new bar properties. The content of the utilization checks depends on Display options. Not relevant checks can also be hidden.
• Summary graph
  Summary graph is displayed with legend by default. Numeric values can be inquired in the calculation sections (set by Design calculation parameters).
  
  
  
  Figure: Utilization checks, formulas and summary

  Tabmenu contains the following tools and settings:

• Selection of element to display
  You can choose a unique or a design group member from the drop-down lists to display its detailed results mentioned before. Each row displays the ID and the maximum utilization of a member. In case of a design group, “Maximum” means the significant member having the maximum utilization.
• Selection of design load
  Depending on timber design was done for load combinations or load groups, a load combination or the maximum or a significant component of load groups can be selected for detailed results. Each row displays the name of the load combination/load group component and its utilization effect. “Maximum” means the significant load combination or component of load groups.
• Auto design
  
  Quick Auto design can be done for the currently displayed unique/group member. Its design parameters can be set/modified in the appearing dialog, and then clicking OK starts timber design that updates all detailed result figures and formulas.
   
• Manual design
  
  Manual design can be launched directly for the currently displayed unique/group member.
   
• Display options
  
  The content and the appearance of the detailed result can be set with Display options. You can show only the final equation without details of the different checks (Hide details).
  
  
  Figure: Display options of Detailed result
   
• Go to
  
  Navigate in the detailed result window by selecting the required design type in the drop-down list. It is useful when you are in zoomed view.

 Click Tools > Add view to document to place all figures, fomulas and summary table or specified details only into Documentation.

Timber Panel

Global Auto (timber panel) design (Calculate > Design calculations > Auto design all structural elements) finds the most suitable type (from panel type range set at Auto design > Parameters) for all timber panels (plates and walls) based on internal forces and detailed utilization calculations. With Manual design you can run quick utilization check for given panel types by elements and/or design groups. You can also do quick Auto design by elements and design groups only instead of global design. Of course, any number of design cycles is executable, so the global Auto design can be combined with both previous and additional element-based Auto designs.   

To define a timber panel (slab or wall) read more at Timber Panel Element.

No.	Global timber panel design	Element-based timber design	Combined timber design
1	Design group	Global Analysis	Design group
2	Auto design > Parameters	Design group	Design Parameters
3	Global Auto design	Auto design > Parameters	Global Auto design
4	Documentation	Auto design by elements	Auto design > Parameters
5		Manual design by elements	Auto design by elements
6		Apply design changes	Manual design by elements
7		Global Check	Apply design changes
8		Documentation	Global Check
9			Documentation

Table: Recommended steps by design alternatives

Auto Design

 Global Auto design gives utilization results and suitable panel type for all timber panels of the current project from a defined range of panel types.

Figure: Global Auto design and utilization result

The recommended panel type names can be displayed on screen by showing the “Timber panel, applied quantity” object layer, or click  Design tool of the Auto design and the parameters together with utilization results are available in table format. Utilization as colored figure (color palette) can be displayed by selecting New result > Timber panel > Utilization.

Applied panel types are displayed in blue in the Utilization table, if they are assigned to the timber panels during design, otherwise black color represents the original/initial types.

 Element-based Auto design finds the most suitable type of timber panels for selected unique or grouped members only from a range of available types defined by  Parameters.

Figure: Range of available timber panels for design

To run element-based design for the load combinations or the maximum of load groups, select the required members and/or group with the Auto design command and click  Design tool. The quick process results recommended panel types and their utilization. Check the Display table box to have a look at the overall design results (see before).

The upper table shows the design efficiency and the maximal utilization of the designed single panel element and groups based on internal forces. The bottom table displays the utilization details of the panel or the panel members of the group selected in the upper table.

	Meaning	Note
	Suitable panel is available
	Suitable panel is not available	Modify the range of available panels or timber materials
Group	ID of a single panel or a group name
Design parameters	The defined range of available panels
Applied type	Panel type currently assigned to the panel
Max	Max. utilization of a single panel or the significant member of a group
Min	Max. utilization of the less significant group member
Panel	ID of a single panel or a group member
Sx+ / Sy+	Utilization for x/y-directional tension	According to Eurocode 5: 6.2.3
Sx- / Sy-	Utilization for x/y-directional compression	According to Eurocode 5: 6.1.4, 6.2.4
Txy	Utilization for shear, xy	According to Eurocode 5: 6.1.7
Tx / Ty	Utilization for shear, xz /yz	According to Eurocode 5: 6.1.7

Table: The meaning of symbols, design parameters and utilization results

Quick redesign can be done inside the Utilization table:

1. Select a panel or a design group in the upper table.
2. Modify the range of available panel types for the select element under Parameters.
3. Click Design.

Manual Design

 With Manual design quick utilization check can be done for given types of selected timber panels or their design groups only. Just, choose the load type (load combination or load group) and a type name from the drop-down lists and select a panel or panel group, and program displays detailed utilization results in table format.

The meaning of the utilization components, the table content and features are the same as written before at Auto design. The program use the chosen type for all selected panels.

Figure: Quick check by Manual design

Detailed Result

Utilization of timber panels can be displayed in the following cases:

• After global Auto design, you can display utilization of all timber panels checked for the recommended panel types.
• When running element-based Auto design, utilization can be displayed by designed elements.
• After Manual design, element-based Check displays utilization for selected elements.
• After global Check done for all panel elements having final thickness (type).

No.	Global Auto design	Element-based Auto des.	Element-based Check	Global Check
1	Calculate>Design calculation > Auto design all structural elements	Auto design	Auto design and/or   Manual design	Auto design and/or   Manual design
2	New result > Timber panel	New result > Timber panel	Check	Apply changes
3			New result > Timber panel	Calculate > Design calculation > Auto design all structural elements
4				New result > Timber panel

Table: Steps of displaying timber panel utilization by different design cases

 Utilization displayed with New result appears for all designed panels. The utilization components for a panel/design group can be displayed with Detailed result.

Detailed result opens a new window in the current project after selecting a panel/group member, which displays:

• Applied panel type
  A list displays the applied timber panel type with its main calculation parameters.
  
  
  Figure: Applied timber panel type
• Detailed calculation formulas
  Calculation details and final values are collected by checking types: Tension and bending (Eurocode5: 6.2.3), Compression and bending (6.1.4, 6.2.4), Shear, xy (6.1.7) and Shear, xz and yz (6.1.7). The proper results are displayed in green, while the red result warnings you to repeat design with new panel types. The content of the utilization checks depends on Display options. Not relevant checks can also be hidden.
• Summary graph
  Summary graph is displayed with legend by default.
  
  
  Figure: Utilization checks, formulas and summary

  Tabmenu contains the following tools and settings:

• Selection of element to display
  You can choose a unique or a design group member from the drop-down lists to display its detailed results mentioned before. Each row displays the ID and the maximum utilization of a member. In case of a design group, “Maximum” means the significant member having the maximum utilization.
• Selection of design load
  Depending on timber design was done for load combinations or load groups, a load combination or the maximum or a significant component of load groups can be selected for detailed results. Each row displays the name of the load combination/load group component and its utilization effect. “Maximum” means the significant load combination or component of load groups.
•  Auto design
  Quick Auto design can be done for the currently displayed unique/group member. Its design parameters can be set/modified in the appearing dialog, and then clicking OK starts timber design that updates all detailed result figures and formulas.
•  Manual design
  Manual design can be launched directly for the currently displayed unique/group member.
•  Display options
  The content and the appearance of the detailed result can be set with Display options. You can show only the final equation without details of the different checks (Hide details).
  
  
  Figure: Display options of Detailed result
   
•  Go to
  
  Navigate in the detailed result window by selecting the required design type in the drop-down list. It is useful when you are in zoomed view.

 Click Tools > Add view to document to place all figures, fomulas and summary table or specified details only into Documentation.