Advantages

Why does it offer a more localized and safer approach in timber projects?

The real difference on the timber side is not just being able to build a model; it is being able to perform calculations in accordance with local code logic and to verify the elements within shear walls in detail.

• The ABTHYE-compliant calculation approach provides a more localized foundation than externally sourced general solutions.
• Detailed verification of intermediate beams and studs within shear walls makes slender and unsafe designs visible earlier.
• Without-diaphragm and semi-rigid behavior options facilitate more realistic reading of system behavior.

In the software, timber structural elements, masonry structural elements and reinforced concrete structural elements can be solved in an integrated manner within a single project and single data set. This gives the software a unique flexibility.

One of the greatest advantages of the software compared to foreign-sourced timber programs is its ability to perform timber building calculations in accordance with the Timber Building Design, Calculation and Construction Principles (ABTHYE), published in the Official Gazette dated 24.03.2024 No. 32499. Although our code shows some similarity to European standards, there are many points where it diverges. Therefore, expecting results compliant with our code from foreign-sourced programs is not very feasible.

In StatiCAD, all checks for each frame member within the timber shear wall are performed, including weak axis, buckling and torsion. This prevents excessively slender and unsafe designs in timber structures and, in our opinion, significantly improves the building's service and seismic performance.

In StatiCAD, with the without-diaphragm / semi-rigid diaphragm analysis options, more realistic behavior of all components in the structure can be accounted for, eliminating the need for additional checks arising from rigid diaphragm assumptions (which are very difficult to perform manually).

Why is specialized expertise needed for masonry projects?

Masonry structures can be economical; however, they require a separate discipline due to seismic behavior, wall stresses and prescriptive rules. StatiCAD's difference lies in converting this discipline into a practical project workflow.

• Automatically performs the shear, compression and detailing checks prescribed by the masonry building code.
• Handles both new masonry design and existing building performance within the same product family.
• Enables faster identification of deficiencies through graphical display, reports and drawing production.

Masonry structures are the oldest and most traditional building type. Since vertical loads and lateral loads such as earthquakes are carried by walls in masonry buildings, it is possible to construct significantly more economical structures compared to reinforced concrete and steel buildings. Because masonry walls are less ductile than reinforced concrete or steel structural elements, their energy dissipation capacity during earthquakes is lower. However, when designed in accordance with the earthquake code, they may show less sensitivity to construction errors.

Modeling with StatiCAD is as easy as running a slab calculation for a masonry building in a reinforced concrete analysis and drawing program. When deficiencies exist in the building, the inadequate structural elements are displayed in different colors on the graphical screen according to the type of deficiency.

In the software, load transfer from slabs to horizontal bond beams and walls, from upper stories to lower stories, is performed precisely using either the finite element method or the classical method. Lateral forces acting on stories are distributed to structural elements in proportion to their stiffness, with torsion also taken into account.

Whether the compressive stress of walls exceeds the compressive strength and whether the shear force exceeds the shear capacity are verified individually for each wall.

Loads are transferred from walls to foundations, and at the foundations, soil stress and foundation section capacity are verified.

The software can prepare project drawings side by side in a single step, including the project cover sheet.

When analysis is performed by entering existing material properties for existing buildings, the building's seismic performance level is calculated. Retrofitting can be performed with welded wire mesh and shotcrete, or with FRP. Retrofitting adequacy can be verified through retrofitted-state performance analysis, jacket layer shear capacity check, or using the Earthquake Code Article 15C.4 formula.

For masonry buildings to be earthquake-resistant, all calculations prescribed by the earthquake code for masonry buildings must be performed and the specified checks (shear stress, compressive stress, prescriptive rules) must be satisfied. StatiCAD performs these automatically and in considerable detail.

The critical difference between masonry structures with and without code-based calculations

This topic emphasizes that the difference between "a project with proper calculations" and "a structure built without code compliance" is not just a formality, but directly a matter of life safety.

• Shear stresses and wall strength are critical determinants during an earthquake.
• Code-based calculations do not prevent the structure from being economical; on the contrary, they help establish a safe yet economical solution.
• Masonry structures built with proper engineering services make a tangible difference in terms of occupant safety.

Masonry buildings, like other building types, are buildings that must receive engineering services during construction and must be built according to certain rules as prescribed by the earthquake code. The focus of our profession is designing buildings that will be safe during and after an earthquake.

Calculating the shear stresses that will act on walls during an earthquake and designing masonry building walls to withstand these loads, in accordance with other rules prescribed by the earthquake code, is of a nature that can save the lives of those living inside these buildings.

Why is it faster and more reliable than manual or Excel-based workflows?

This topic is not just about speed. Load transfer accuracy, the necessity for recalculation and the capacity to produce acceptable results in complex geometries are also part of the equation.

• The shell element and triangular/trapezoidal distribution approach produces more realistic results than average assumptions.
• In cases requiring revision, new solutions can be obtained in hours instead of weeks.
• In non-orthogonal and complex systems, it establishes a more defensible analysis language where manual approaches struggle.

StatiCAD performs load analysis from slabs to other elements using shell elements or triangular/trapezoidal distributions based on user selection. These methods produce much more realistic results compared to load transfer performed using average stresses, which is what can be done in Excel.

In manual calculations, load analysis using triangular/trapezoidal distributions takes so long, and load transfer with shell elements is nearly impossible, so average load values are generally accepted as sufficient. However, in masonry buildings, the distribution of vertical loads to walls significantly affects the system.

In non-orthogonal systems, performing realistic and acceptable calculations with Excel spreadsheets becomes much more laborious.

Since StatiCAD analysis results have been checked numerous times by both developers and users, the risk of errors in calculations is significantly reduced.

StatiCAD's approach compared to other solutions

The main difference here is not just focusing on quick results that ease cross-section requirements, but on a project language where code compliance can be defended, reported and converted to production.

• Handles calculations in a manner that preserves code logic, rather than relaxing cross-section requirements.
• The interconnection of analysis, reporting and drawing layers strengthens delivery quality.
• Produces more defensible outputs especially in niche areas such as masonry, timber and curved structures.

It has been observed that some programs do not execute calculations properly in order to make it easier for cross-sections to pass checks. In StatiCAD, development work continues with code compliance kept at the forefront.