CROSS Safety Report
Computer aided design
This report is over 2 years old
Overview
Concerns are raises after it was discovered that the steel design element of a software package did not automatically allow for nominal moments in the design of columns for simple structures.
Key Learning Outcomes
For civil and structural design engineers:
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It is good practice to check and validate all design outputs from proprietary design software
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If you are concerned with any of the output’s, consider raising this with the software technical support team and seeking clarification
Full Report
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There has been a report that the steel design element of a software package does not automatically allow for nominal moments in the design of columns for simple structures.
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This is an example of an issue previously raised by CROSS and others about the problems of validating the software model and verifying the output.
The advice is to check results, possibly using more than one software package, and check that the computer aided design is to the relevant codes of practice. Designers must remember that it is they, not software suppliers, who are responsible for design.