Thanks for the latest huge improvements
This is great! So glad you added glulam... and self weight and the flitch beam update is great too
The first copy of SuperBeam was sold way back in April 1989 and every year it gets better! Read on to see what was added to version 4.55, released April 2009. There have been many enhancements since - see the SuperBeam change log
Key enhancements
Automatic calculation of beam self weight
This has been asked for lots of times but we weren't quite how best to implement it. But now it's done: check the box above the load table and a load line for the beam self weight will automatically be added if not already there. Subsequently this load will not be changed unless an alternative heavier section is selected in which case the new figure will be substituted. The program never reduces the value - as with beam bearing dimensions to automatically recalculate the minimum value set the load to zero; pressing 'Apply' will then substitute the required minimum value.
Add cantilevers at both ends of a beam
Beams can now have cantilevers at both ends, not just beyond R2. Cantilevers to the left of R1 are denoted by giving loads negative positions (this is already in ProSteel 5.33)
Add additional loads at bearings
Add an additional load at bearings: the most likely time you'll want to do this is when two beams share the same bearing (this will be added to the next release of ProSteel)
Add bearing calculations to timber beams
An additional page has been added to the beam edit dialog in which you can enter bearing details for timber beams. The calculations are identical to those done for steel beam bearings save for an additional check on the bearing stress on the timber where it contacts the padstone or bearing plate. Most timber members don't need calculated bearings of course, but this additional facility will be useful where calculations include flitch or glulam beams.
Glulam beams
Some of you have been asking for this for a long time! You can now check glulam beams manufactured from horizontally laminated C16 or C24 laminations.
Two way bending on timber posts
Timber post loads can now be assigned load positions 3 and 4 as for steel beams; these generate positive and negative moments about the minor axis
Quicker beam load entry
Previously you could enter standard beam load names which could then be selected from a drop-down list. This has been extended into a table where you can also enter the load type, duration and a template load: the '!' in the entries above denotes the point where the user is to substitute their own value (this will be added to the next release of ProSteel)
Enhanced flitch beam design
The flitch beam analysis has been brought into line with TRADA Guidance Document 9. Note that this is more onerous than the analysis in versions of SuperBeam to 4.52. Key changes: a modified K8 value of 1.04 is used rather than 1.10; when checking timber and steel members an allowance is now made for the effect of bolt holes; the effect of creep is now considered when calculating deflection; and the effect of creep is included when checking the stress on the steel plate, increasing this significantly in some cases. Please note that flitch beam designs that are shown as satisfactory in earlier versions may not comply when checked using the new routine.
All our programs run on Windows Windows 7/8/10 systems. Windows XP and Vista are no longer supported.