The best way for a new user to begin is to select ‘New beam’ and run the beam wizard. This will take you through step by step the key properties that form a beam within the software. FBEAM has a dynamic built in help function that provides a user with guidance on the various functions available as necessary.
FBEAM works by combining a series of individual properties (section size, load combinations, cell layouts et…) into one element; beam failures can be overcome by making changes to these individual properties. For example if the beam was failing in deflection, the user should double click on “section” in beam properties and increase the section depth accordingly.
Error: This is an error in the data entry that must be corrected before the beam analysis or design entry can be completed.
Warning: A warning will appear when a decision made during the design process means that an additional item may need checking to ensure an adequate design or that a decision may yield a design that is not optimum for manufacture.
Reports allow the user to export their calculation results from the software either for a single beam or multiple beams. The user can create reports with the varying amounts of detail, dependent ontheir specific requirements.
Fbeam is a free software tool designed to support the design of new Fabsec beams. The software includes built in restrictions on section geometry that take into account design, procurement, and fabrication considerations. These constraints help ensure beams are not only structurally efficient but also practical to manufacture and deliver. If you have any project specific questions or require further guidance, please contact us at support@fabsec.co.uk.
The optimiser within FBEAM is a very useful tool that allows the user to achieve an optimised beam design for the parameters that the user has set. It works on an iterative basis until the most efficient solution is achieved.
EN1993 – 1 1:2005 C1.6.2.6(6.18)
Where
is the Shear Area.
is the design yield strength.
is the material factor = 1.0
The shear area may be taken as follows:
Welded I, H and box sections, load parallel to web, 
Welded I, H and box sections, load parallel to flanges, 
Axial force in a composite beam is conservatively considered to be taken by the steel beam only.
For the combination of axial force and bending, Fbeam uses the method outlined in BSEN1993-1-1:2005 Cl 6.2.9.
If you apply an additional point load onto a beam, the software assumes this is applied to the top flange and a local web bearing and buckling check is required to determine if stiffeners are required. This is not carried out within software.
Fbeam 2016 does not currently facilitate the design of tapered sections. This is on our development list.
A degree of shear connection failure will occur when there aren’t enough studs on a composite beam to achieve the required level of composite action. Fbeam calculates the required degree of shear connection in accordance with the rules specified in the Analysis settings (i.e. P405).
The requirement for transverse reinforcement ensures an effective transfer of force from the shear connectors into the slab without splitting the concrete. The BS 5950-3.1 and the ENV version of Eurocode 4 used as a semi-empirical approach based on potential shear planes through the slabs that lie on either side of the shear connectors.
The rules given in SCI P405 complement those given in BS EN 1994-1-1. P405 allows the user to take into account more parameters (effecting the requirements for shear connection) than are explicitly covered by the Eurocode. This means that, in many cases, the problems encountered by designers in satisfying the minimum degree of shear connection requirements can be overcome.
Fabsec recommend users follow the rules set out in SCI document P355.
At an opening, there is an interaction of the global bending moment, the vertical shear force and the Vierendeel moment. This interaction of forces is critical at the high shear end of the openings. A quadratic interaction rule is assumed in combining these forces for unstiffened openings and a linear interaction rule for stiffened openings.
Deflections are calculated using the method of finite differences. The results have been calibrated against data from more approximate methods and also against results from a matrix stiffness approach.
The natural frequencies are calculated within BEAM using a simplified SCI
(http://www.steel-sci.org/) approach for the calculation.
NF = 18/√(δsw)
Default minimum in the software is set at 4Hz
The RAM Link transfers data from RAM Structural System into an Fbeam project. It is essential to check that the correct data has been transferred and that other data which is set at a default value is appropriate.
The FBEAM and Firebeam software is interoperable with TEKLA TSD
For TSD interoperability, the beam first needs to be modelled and analysed as a Fabsec beam in TSD, then exported into Fbeam for design and then exported back to TSD.
This workflow ensures naming conventions / geometry are all set correctly and synced with the overall frame design.
If the beam is modelled in Fbeam first then the link won’t work
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