• How to add more than 2 horizontal stiffeners

    Once you have added the upper and lower stiffener, you cannot add more horizontal stiffeners. In some cases, you want to add more than 2 horizontal stiffeners. In the example below, you might want to add an additional stiffener in the column at the beam’s flange. Solution First, add a…

  • How to modify the bolt or anchor positions

    The bolt/anchor position dialog window comes in 2 styles a classic style, used for most Eurocode and IS connections a new style, used for most AISC connections and some Eurocode connection (column base with RHS or SHS cross-section & bolted pipe splice) Classic style bolt dialog To modify the bolt…

  • How to understand a bolt row with 0 moment

    In some cases, there are bolt rows with 0kNm resisting moment. This can be seen in the detailed result.  What does this mean and how should you deal with this? First, we need to point out the role of the the bottom bolt row.  This bolt row is in the…

  • How to change the background color

    You can change background color of the Geometry window by clicking anywhere in this window with the right mouse button. In the menu that pops up, you select Background color.  Choose any color you want from the basic colors or define a custom colours based on RGB values.

  • How to modify the scale and layout of workshop drawings

    There are 2 kind of workshop drawing in PowerConnect: Complete connection Connection parts Both drawings can be exported to any CAD software via File > Export > Drawing to DXF. Complete connection 2D Workshop drawing of the complete connection can be in the Plan window in PowerConnect.  You can choose…

  • How to get detailed results

    When you click the calculator button, PowerConnect will default present the summary results. But there is is more to see.  Click ‘results pref’ at the bottom right corner of your window to open the result options.  Per load combination you can ask to see only the headers – short report,…

  • How to understand the letter codes

    You probably have seen them already pop up – for example at the width and thickness of an end plate or length and height of a haunch. When you add new elements to the connection, entering all dimensions manually, will take up quite some time. And what values should you…

  • How to change to another shear connection

    In PowerConnect you can easily interchange fin plate, flexible end plate and angle cleats. Select the connector element with the left mouse button and click with the right mouse button to open the replace dialog.

  • How to level beam elements

    Beam – beam connections can aligned with respect to one other. Use your right mouse button to access the leveling options of PowerConnect. You can choose between leveling at upper side, lower side, or no leveling at all. This last option will place both connection part at the center line.