Steel Design Restraint Visualization

Steel Restraints

One of the most difficult aspects of computerized steel design and checking is ensuring that restraint data is correct - whether lateral torsional buckling restraints are fully effective or elastic - whether they are on the top or bottom flange. Steel design restraint visualization solves this problem - now you can see the restraints. Simple geometric shapes are used to distinguish the different restraint types in a virtual reality window. Node and member numbers and member axes are shown so you can easily relate the design member to the structural model. You may drag the mouse pressing the left button to rotate the image or the right button to pan it. The mouse wheel may be used to zoom in and out.

In addition to the virtual reality view of a single design member Microstran permits the display in the main structure view of all lateral torsional buckling (LTB) restraints (not column buckling restraints). The Steel Restraints button on the Steel Design toolbar toggles the display of small grey lines representing the LTB restraints on each flange of steel design members. Fully effective restraints are shown in a darker grey than elastic restraints.