Improvements and New Facilities in LUSAS Version 14.5

User Area

Software Release History - Version 14

New Facilities and Improvements in Version 14.5

Overview

The Vehicle Load Optimisation software option now allows selection of Eurocode traffic loading. To do so requires a separate software key. Please request this from your LUSAS supplier.
The IMDPlus software option has been generally enhanced and provides more loading, results processing and graphing options
The Rail Track Analysis software option has been generally enhanced and provides more extensive graphing capabilities
Concrete and steel material properties have been added for a variety of countries and codes/references
Load input to Solver has been speeded up for all load types

Eurocode traffic loading

The Vehicle Load Optimisation software option in LUSAS now allows selection of traffic loads to EN1991-2. A number of specific National Annexes, comprising country-specific data, known collectively as Nationally Determined Parameters and special vehicles have been incorporated. Currently the National Annexes of the following countries are supported:

UK
Ireland
Sweden
Italy

Optional code settings and loading parameters can be defined. Representative values, Load groups and Special Vehicle types can also be specified.

A EN1991-2 Recommended Values option is also provided and via an Advanced button on the Optional Code Settings dialog this permits changing of UDL and Tandem System values from the Eurocode default values. In some cases these values may be modified to suit national requirements until a particular National Annex is fully implemented and available for those countries not currently supported.

Note. To use vehicle load optimisation for Eurocode traffic loading requires a separate software key. Please request this from your LUSAS contact or supplier.

Optional code settings dialog

Recommended values advanced settings dialog

IMDPlus

The IMDPlus software option has been generally enhanced:

Moving load analyses can now be performed in 2D, previously they could only be analysed in 3D.
The projection of a moving load onto a line has been included for both 2D and 3D analyses.
The IMDPlus moving load generator now supports lines, arcs and splines.
All discrete loading types (arbitrary, grid, patch and compound) are now supported by IMDPlus
Resultant nodal results are now calculated for both seismic and moving load analyses. These include resultant translational displacements, velocities, accelerations, dynamic amplification factors and reactions. Resultant time history and absolute peak results are available for graphing.
Reactions can now be selected and graphed for individual nodes in both seismic and moving load analysis. Time history and peak results are available for graphing.
Dynamic Amplification Factors (DAFs) can now be selected and graphed for individual nodes in a moving load analysis. Time history and peak results are available for graphing.

Rail Track Analysis

The Rail Track Analysis software option has been generally enhanced and also provides more extensive graphing capabilities:

It is now possible to solve for multiple trainset positions that are defined in a single MS Excel spreadsheet
Enhanced post-processing capabilities include automatic graphing within the results spreadsheet of key quantities such as rail stress and rail bed displacement as well as structural response.
When envelopes are calculated within MS Excel summary tables are automatically produced to permit checking of tolerances against UIC limits.

Changes to the Material Library

Concrete material properties have been added or revised for the following countries and codes/references:

Australia (AS5100-2004)
Canada (CAN/CSA-S6-06)
EU (1991 Table 3.1)
India ( IBRC:21-2000)
USA (AASHTO LRFD 4th edition)

Steel material properties have been added or revised for the following countries and codes/references:

Australia (AS5100-2004 Structural steel)
Canada (CAN/CSA-S6-06 Structural steel)
EU (EN1993-1-1:2005 Structural, EN1992-1-1:2004 Prestressing, and EN1992-1-1:2004 Reinforcing bars and wire)
USA (AASHTO LRFD 4th edition Structural, Prestressing strand, Prestressing bars, Reinforcing bars)

Loading speed up

Load input to Solver has been speeded up for all load types.

User Manuals

All relevant documentation has been updated for this new release and is provided in PDF format as part of any V14.5 software download file or on the V14.5 software CD. Changes have been made to the following manuals:

Modeller User Manual
Application Manual (Bridge, Civil & Structural)
IMDPlus User Manual
Rail Track Analysis Manual

Changes to Worked Examples

All existing worked examples have been reviewed and updated as necessary for this new release.

Retired elements and facilities

None.