RELEASE NOTICE FOR AUTO DIAPHRAGM v3.00

Auto Diaphragm v3.00 (AD v3.00) is our biggest content update since the development of the software. It offers a significant improvement over an already useful software, with the goal of providing the best available tool for analysis of floor diaphragms using the strut and tie procedure. Below is a list of new features/enhancements implemented in v3.00.

UPDATED VERSION FEE
AD v3.00 is free for all current network license users. We are no longer offering updates to standalone licenses. All users are encouraged to upgrade to network license, should they still be using a standalone license.

I. NEW FEATURES OF AUTO DIAPHRAGM v3.00

1) Alignment of strut and tie (S&T) joints to edges
Since the development of Auto Diaphragm, we have been exploring various options to improve the grillage around skewed edges. A new tool has now been added in version 3.0 which enables alignment of S&T joints to the nearest perpendicular edge.

It is noted that using this option may introduce S&T components with inappropriate angles. Uncompleted S&T components and free joints may also appear in the model in some circumstances at very complicated floor plates. Users are strongly advised to check the grillage model carefully following the application of this option.

2) Remove double up elements in the model and divide primary beams
A common problem in grillage models is that S&T components overlap with existing beam elements. This issue is most common where users decide to retain the existing beams in the model. AD v3.00 provides the user with the option of automatic identification and removal of elements that are overlapped by another element. This can be done by using the newly added “Divide beams – Remove double-ups” tab.

It shall be noted that by clicking this tab, all property assignments (e.g., stiffness modifiers, loads, etc.) will be removed from the existing beams. Users must carefully verify the model to ensure that all definitions, loads are other assignments are satisfactory.

3) Apply seismic loads to joints based on tributary mass to every ETABS model
Previous versions of AD were based on the selection of joints connected to S&T components and apply loads only at the selected joints. To provide a versatile option that can work on every ETABS model, at AD v3.00, lateral loads are distributed to all the joints on the selected floor level based on the tributary mass – which is calculated by ETABS. Users shall verify the results at the end of the procedure to ensure that loads are distributed as they are intended.
The new algorithm for applying lateral loads to joint enables users with the option of saving the ETABS models at any stage and applying the lateral loads to joints at a later stage simply by opening the model through AD.
Moreover, users may use this tool to apply lateral loads at joints based on tributary area to models that are not generated through AD.

4) Connected user activation code display
AD v3.00 offers several new features for the network license. One of which is that if the software is open in another PC and the maximum number of users has reached, a message box pops up to indicate the activation code of the in-use PC. This enables more efficient sharing of the program between users.

5) New online platform to download the latest versions and updates
A link has been added under the Help>About tab which links the latest available version. Users can now download the latest version via this link.

6) New graphical interface to show primary beams and S&T components in different colors
Graphical display of the S&T model has been updated to show primary beams with a different color.

II. NEW ENHANCEMENTS IN AUTO DIAPHRAGM v3.00

1) Rectify the issue of zero width element definitions
In the previous version of the AD, an error would have sometimes happened in definition of section sizes along the floor openings. The program would often have defined zero width sections. In the current we have rectified this error to properly define sections for S&T components.
2) If a story is not included, stiffness modifiers to floors are not applied
In the previous version, stiffness modifiers to floors were applied even if they were not included for grillage generation. In this version stiffness modifiers are no longer applied

3) If dummy floors are defined in the model, AD will still proceed with the grillage
4) S&T components at various floors are saved in a separate group for each floor level