Orion v15 1 Whats New

Whats New in
Orion R15.1 sp4

CSC (UK) Ltd

October 2009

Whats New in Orion Release 15.1 sp4

1 October 2009

CONTENTS
1 WHATS NEW IN 15.1 SP4......................................................................................................................... 2
GENERAL ............................................................................................................................................................. 2
NEW SPARSE SOLVER ........................................................................................................................................ 2
NEW ANALYSIS MODEL EXPORT OPTIONS ......................................................................................................... 4
OTHER FIXES AND ENHANCEMENTS .................................................................................................................... 4
ADDITIONAL FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS .................................................................................................................... 5
2 WHATS NEW IN 15.1 ................................................................................................................................ 9
GENERAL ............................................................................................................................................................. 9
NEW INCLINED MEMBER MODELLING AND DESIGN ........................................................................................... 9
NEW CURVED MEMBERS.................................................................................................................................. 10
NEW PILE CAP DESIGN .................................................................................................................................... 11
NEW COMBINED FOUNDATION DESIGN ............................................................................................................ 12
NEW MODEL LINKING FOR COMMON FOUNDATION DESIGN ............................................................................ 12
NEW FOUNDATION LOADS TABLE.................................................................................................................... 13
NEW EIGENVALUE ANALYSIS .......................................................................................................................... 13
ENHANCED DESIGN SETTINGS ........................................................................................................................... 14
ENHANCED DETAILING ...................................................................................................................................... 14
NEW REVIT STRUCTURE INTEGRATION LINKS ................................................................................................. 16
NEW 3D WINDOW ............................................................................................................................................ 16
ENHANCED USER INTERFACE ............................................................................................................................ 17
ENHANCED DOCUMENTATION ........................................................................................................................... 17
3 WHATS NEW IN 15.0 .............................................................................................................................. 18
GENERAL ........................................................................................................................................................... 18
NEW BATCH FE CHASEDOWN .......................................................................................................................... 18
NEW ANALYSIS STATUS CLARIFICATION ......................................................................................................... 18
COLUMN AND WALL DESIGN AND DETAILING .................................................................................................. 20
BEAM DETAILING .............................................................................................................................................. 24
USER INTERFACE ............................................................................................................................................... 26
MODELLING ...................................................................................................................................................... 28
LOAD DECOMPOSITION BY FE ........................................................................................................................... 29
BUILDING ANALYSIS ......................................................................................................................................... 29
FE ANALYSIS .................................................................................................................................................... 30
PUNCHING SHEAR ............................................................................................................................................. 31
MATERIALS EXPORT ......................................................................................................................................... 31
NEW DESIGN CODE SUPPORTED ........................................................................................................................ 32
DOCUMENTATION.............................................................................................................................................. 32

Whats New in Orion Release 15.1sp4

2 October 2009
1 Whats New in 15.1 sp4
General
As a rule the intention of an Orion service pack is primarily to address critical issues that have come
to light since the previous release.

In addition to providing the above in 15.1 sp4, we have also taken the opportunity to launch a
significant new feature along with other more minor enhancements. Because of its potential benefits,
the major new feature being introduced is a "SPARSE SOLVER" option.
NEW Sparse Solver
The purpose of the sparse solver is to reduce the time required for analysis during the building
analysis process. For certain model types a dramatic reduction in the analysis time can be achieved,
for other models it may be less significant.

Activation of the sparse solver is optional, it is located on the Model Options/Settings tab as shown
below:

Also located on this tab is a new option enabling you to switch off the creation of a detailed analysis
echo file.

In previous releases the detailed analysis echo file and the model export files were always being
created whether you required them or not. Now you can choose if you require them or not.

Notes:
1. Switching off the detailed analysis echo file creation speeds up analysis whether the sparse
solver is used or not.


3 October 2009
2. Understanding the Analysis Process:
Before discussing the solver speed increase it is important to have a brief appreciation of the
stages that occur when an analysis is requested in a product such as Orion. This can be
thought of as a 3 stage process:
Analysis model creation
In this stage the 3D model data is used together with all the analysis model
preferences you have defined (e.g. meshed walls or mid-pier walls) in order to create
and load the analysis model. Things like the automatic pattern loading are also
determined in this phase.
Analysis
The stage in which actual analysis happens and in which the sparse solver speed
increase applies.
Solution data handling
When the analysis is complete the results have to be saved into the main model
database where they can be accessed for member design.
3. Solver speed increase:
As is noted above, the sparse solver option will reduce the amount of time spent in the
second stage. The percentage gain is not linear, the bigger the model the bigger the gain
tends to be. The gain tends to be particularly impressive when walls are meshed. For
example, in a model which previously took 11 minutes in the analysis phase the sparse solver
now takes just 30 seconds. In terms of the overall analysis process the total time taken for
this example was 15 minutes (stages 1 and 3 accounting for 4 minutes), and this reduces to
4mins 30 secs.
4. Really big models that could not be solved at all in the old solver can be solved when the
sparse solution is used.
5. For all models that solve in the old solver the sparse solver has been shown to give identical
results.
6. Models that contain mechanisms (too many pins!) will not solve at all in the sparse solver -
you are informed that an error has been encountered. In such situations you can swap back
to the non-sparse option which will solve, (but with warning messages about singularities) -
you should then proceed to sort out the mechanisms. It is primarily for this reason that the
two solver options are being retained in the new release.
Note: We advise against indiscriminate pinning and recommend that if you have analysis
messages about instability the best way to proceed is to make a copy of the model and
remove all pins - if the analysis then runs successfully you should re-consider the extent of
the pins introduced previously.

We consider that a key feature of Orion is the wall modelling sophistication and the fact that two
analytical idealisations are supported. Many customers like the confidence that is introduced by being
able to make a cross check between these options. In practice however, the meshed wall option
often became impractical for large models. The new sparse option means that meshed walls can be
used on many more models. For more detailed discussion of the wall modelling idealisations refer to
chapter 3 of the Orion Engineers handbook and the training presentation that this links to. A
technical note Shear Wall Analysis New Modelling, Same Answers published in the Institution of
Structural Engineers Magazine and on which the Orion modelling is based, can be accessed at:
http://services.cscworld.com/techpaper.php


4 October 2009
NEW Analysis Model Export Options

Further model export options have been provided on a new Model Export tab as shown above.
Other Fixes and Enhancements
General Program Operation
The issue where the Delete Key worked inconsistently has been resolved, the delete
operation can now always be activated this way.
A number of minor issues causing program instability have been isolated and fixed.
Foundation Design
The conservatism that arose due to imposed load reductions not being considered in foundation
design has been removed.
Column Schedule
A longstanding limitation that a maximum of 20 storeys could be scheduled at one time has been
removed.
Beam Detailing
A number of issues have been addressed, including:
A 'Missing' hogging reinforcement dimension on one side of internal supports has been
reinstated.
If link labels are positioned inside the beam, the link zone dimensions are now also positioned
inside the beam.
Beam Size parentheses reinstated in beam label.
A new option is introduced to allow end anchorage lengths (into shear walls for example) to
be extended beyond basic code requirements.
A number of cases where the beam detail drawing could not be created at all have been dealt
with, there are no known outstanding examples of this type of issue.


5 October 2009
3D Model Viewer
A number of changes have been made to the new 3D viewer which was first introduced in R15.1,
this includes improvements to:
Improved Mouse wheel sensitivity when zooming.
Slab transparency adjustments
Cases where parts of the model were not shown depending on zoom.
Grey background for new models.
Automatic Beam Load Determination
Issues with the Yield Line load decomposition have been resolved:
Two yield line loading decomposition problems that caused loss of load in 15.1 sp3.
A more common situation where the beam load was too high resulting in some local over
design has been fixed.
Note that customers affected by these issues were alerted by inconstancies in the axial load
comparison report and switched to the use of FE load decomposition to avoid the issue.

Additional Feature Highlights
In this section some features which have been recently introduced but not previously highlighted are
noted.
The option to insert multiple parallel beams
Press the Shift key when creating a beam and a dialog will appear to allow a series of offset beams
to be defined. A preview of the offset beam locations (as shown below) assists in this process.

Shift Dialog for Offset, Multiple (and Curved) Beam Definition


6 October 2009
Graphical highlighting of elements when selecting
This feature is designed to help working with large models.
With the Selection tool active, moving the cursor over the plan view causes the element under
the cursor to be highlighted. This makes it easier to make selections without having to zoom
closely into the area.

Element highlight (and tooltip) assists the selection process.

Remember that members can be selected in any of 3 ways:
From the Main Plan View

From the 3D View


7 October 2009
From the Tree View

And the right click menu gives access to all forms of data and results for the selected
member(s).

Converting rib & waffle slabs to beams
Once a rib or waffle (grillage) slab has been defined, a command exists on the right click menu to
convert the ribs into beams. This could be useful in cases where you are seeking an accurate
design of each independent rib element. For example if significant point loads exist.

Convert Ribs to Beam Elements option


8 October 2009
Applying filters to the 3D view
Various filters can be applied to the 3D view to facilitate the editing of complex models in 3D.
Multiple filters can be applied simultaneously by selecting Storey and Member Type Filters. This
activates the Filters dialog shown below.

Alternatively, filters can be applied which relate to the currently selected elements. These filtering
options are summarised in the table below:

Filter by Axis
Provided only axes are
currently selected, this filter
displays only those beams,
columns and walls defined by
the selected axes.
Display All Axes
Switches off Filter by Axis.

Filter by Member Type
Provided only one member
type is currently selected,
this filter displays all
elements of that member
type.

Display All Member Types
Switches off Filter by Member
Type.

Filter by Members Storey
Displays only those members
on the same storey as the
selected member.

Display All Storeys
Switches off Filter by
Members Storey.
Filter by Member Axis
Displays only those members
that share a common axis
with the selected member.

Display Only Current Storey
Displays the current storey,
maintaining any other filtering
options.
Display All Members
Switches off all filters.

Hide All Members
Displays axes only.

Whats New in Orion Release 15.1

9 October 2009
2 Whats New in 15.1
General
Orion R15.1 is a significant upgrade with many completely new features and numerous
enhancements.

One of the main themes of this release has been the expansion of Orions modelling capabilities to
facilitate the input of more complex geometries. You will find the scope of the foundation design has
also been significantly increased.

CSC and the Orion team are committed to continually provide our users with high quality, market
leading solutions for building structures.

NEW Inclined Member Modelling and Design
It is now possible to model, analyse and design a wide range of inclined members including ramps,
sloping beams, columns, walls (with tapers), split levels, stair and landing beams etc.

Inclined Members

A new Plane definition feature makes creating inclined planes within the structure straightforward.

Inclined Plane Definition

For further details about this new feature refer to Modelling Inclined and Lowered Members in
Chapter 2 of the Engineers Handbook.


10 October 2009
NEW Curved Members
Orion R15.1 introduces curved axes, beams and slabs.

Curved Members

Axis definition and beam definition have both been enhanced. Press the Shift key when creating an
axis or beam and a dialog will appear to allow a curve to be defined. This dialog also makes it easy to
create a series of offset axes or beams.

Shift Dialog for Offset, Curved and Multiple Beam Definition

For further details about this new feature refer to Modelling Curved Axes and Beams in Chapter 2
of the Engineers Handbook.


11 October 2009
NEW Pile Cap Design
Orion 15.1 introduces pilecap design.

Pile Cap Design Dialog

Pile Cap Detail

For further details about this new feature refer to Pile Caps in Chapter 21 of the Engineers
Handbook.


12 October 2009
NEW Combined Foundation Design
Combined Pad Footings and Pile Caps are now enabled.

Combined Footing Detail

For further details about this new feature refer to Combining Columns and Walls for Shared
Foundation Design in Chapter 21 of the Engineers Handbook.

NEW Model Linking for Common Foundation Design
One or more additional models can be linked with the open model to allow a common foundation to
be created for the entire project. The foundation loads are updated automatically if any of the linked
projects are redesigned.

Common Foundation under Linked Models

For further details about this new feature refer to Chapter 22 - Linking and Merging Projects in the
Engineers Handbook.
A

B

C


13 October 2009
NEW Foundation Loads Table
A new table which summarises the column and wall foundation forces determined from the building
analysis is available. The table will also show the foundation forces from the members of any linked
project. These values can be edited, and additional loads can be added if desired.

Foundation Loads Table

When column and wall loads are shown on the plan view at foundation level, the edited or added
loads defined in the above table are displayed.

For further details about this new feature refer to The Foundation Forces Table in Chapter 21 of the
Engineers Handbook.

NEW Eigenvalue Analysis
An Eigenvalue Analysis can be performed during Building Analysis to calculate natural frequencies
and mode shapes. The Eigenvalue Analysis results can then be used to assist with seismic design
and can also be of value where information relating to wind tunnel tests is required.

Modes Shapes in the Building Analysis Post-Processor

For further details about this new feature refer to Chapter 6 - Eigenvalue Analysis in the Engineers
Handbook.
Vibration Mode 1

Vibration Mode 2

Vibration Mode 3

Vibration Mode 4


14 October 2009
Enhanced Design Settings
Additional checks are made to see that secondary effects arising from a 3D analysis are ignorable.
Where the code gives no guidance on ignorable load thresholds the values are user defined. For
other forces an automatic check is made based on the size of the section being used, for example:

NEW Torsional Shear Check The nominal torsional shear capacity of all sections are determined
and checked against any torsion force that develops in the analysis model.

Ignorable Forces in Beam Design Settings

Enhanced Detailing
Five of the more significant detailing enhancements are listed below. In addition to these numerous
other minor detailing enhancements and adjustments have been made.
1. NEW Angled Beam Linking
Beams connecting at an angle can be automatically detailed as continuous on the detail sheet. If
required the default linking can be adjusted by manually linking the angled axes.

Angled Beams


15 October 2009
Angled Beam Detail

For further details about this new feature refer to Linking Angled Beams in Chapter 2 of the
Engineers Handbook.
2. Curved beam detailing
Curved beams are detailed as if straight thus providing reasonable quantity estimations. Final details
need to be checked and amended to account for the curve.

Curved Beam Detail

3. Inclined member detailing
Preliminary details are created which are again sufficient to provide reasonable quantity estimations.
Final details need to be checked and amended to resolve details at angled intersections.

Inclined Beam Detail


16 October 2009
4. Beam Detailing at Pinned Ends
A new option added in beam design settings (as shown below) to make min top steel at pinned beam
ends a user defined percentage. (Previously a fixed value of 50 % of the span steel requirements
was used). The setting of the current/last project is used as default for new projects (including old
projects for which this setting did not previously exist).

.
5. Link Provision in Columns
A new option has been added to allow links to always be detailed through the full depth of all
connected beams.
NEW Revit Structure Integration Links
These are downloadable from the CSC website. For details go to www.cscworld.com/orion/tech.php
NEW 3D Window
The 3D display window has been completely rewritten, providing a number of new functions:

NEW 3D Design Status View option (Visual Pass/Fail status Display)
Selections can now be made in the 3D window giving access to editing and design result
interrogation.
Improved Filtering
Element Labelling
Options to animate rotation an/or construction sequence.
Record Video


17 October 2009
3D View of Design Status

Enhanced User Interface
New Axis Member Table (enabling axes to be relabelled within the table).
New Look Icons throughout
Enhanced Documentation
The Engineer's Handbook has been fully updated and re-organised to reflect all the significant new
enhancements in this release. This document includes cross references to many of the new chapters.
We would urge all Orion users to at least review the contents list of the latest handbook in order to
appreciate the extent of help that is available.


18 October 2009
3 Whats New in 15.0
General
Orion R15.0 is a significant upgrade with a large number of enhancements and many completely new
features.

A number of the changes introduced in this version are aimed at streamlining the analysis/design
process. You will also find managing changes to the model much easier - a traffic light system has
been introduced for clarifying the current status of both the analysis and the design.
CSC and the Orion team are committed to continually provide our users with high quality, market
leading solutions for building structures.

NEW Batch FE Chasedown
It is now possible to perform the FE analyses of every floor in your building at the click of a single
button. All the required parameters can be predefined. No further user intervention is required unless
you optionally choose to review the mesh at each level - to ensure its adequacy.

Batch Chasedown Parameters

The batch FE chasedown can also be used without meshing for beam and slab models, when used in
this way it can provide a much faster way of designing transfer beams for worst case loading.

NEW Analysis Status Clarification
Orion R15.0 introduces intelligent model status tracking. On completion of the initial analysis and
design run, the building design model is considered up to date. However given the dynamic nature of
building projects its likely after the initial design there may be changes that need to be made to the
model.

On initiating changes to the model Orion R15.0 will invalidate appropriate analysis or design statuses
and message the user on necessary steps that need to be taken to bring the model back up to date.


19 October 2009
This may involve re running the building analysis, repeating a F.E. floor load decomposition, or
rechecking your beam design. At anytime you can clearly review the current status of the analysis and
design.

To achieve this a traffic light system has been introduced to highlight those members for which the
design result may be out of date.

Storey Beam Design

Orion r15s model status tracking will allow you to easily manage changes and keep on top of your
projects.

Design Status Window

Red Cross =Fail
Green Tick =Pass
Amber Tick =Pass
(based on previous
analysis result)


20 October 2009

We hope that this in conjunction with the batch FE chasedown will mean that previous issues which
arose when design was attempted based on old analysis results are avoided.
Column and Wall Design and Detailing
Wall design has been significantly enhanced with the following reinforcing styles have been added:

Option to use mesh reinforcement


21 October 2009

Option to consider a single layer of reinforcement

In addition, the following enhancements have also been introduced:

Tie bars are now automatically omitted if the area of main steel is less than 2%.


22 October 2009
There is a new option to consider plain wall design (where wall is in compression throughout and steel
requirement is zero/negligible, a reduced min % of steel is provided)
The format of the reinforcement quantities table on the application plan is changed and now includes
bar marks and member referencing.

Note that the reinforcement application plan is immediately updated as columns are designed.


23 October 2009
You can shortcut to a details (elevated) view of any column/wall via the right click menu - make sure
you have all the detailing options switched on in the column settings dialogue to see this best as
quite a few new options have been added.
Column Steel Details

New options to print the detailed design when designing interactively and also to see full design detail.
Detailed Column Design Report


24 October 2009
Beam Detailing
New Beam Detailing options have been introduced:

New curtailment option to bend back bobs to avoid extending into columns

New option to set a tension lap factor Common practice would be to adopt a factor of 1.4 as this
would cover the vast majority (if not all) cases. Should you reduce the factor to 1.0 then it is your
responsibility to increase the lap where necessary when detailing the beams.

Anchorage length of end bob bars is reduced in some cases where it was previously excessive.
Other items which are improved relating to detail presentation:

Enhanced avoidance of overlapping text.

Better orientation of all types of dimensions resulting a clearer drawing.
Enhanced overlap control in the bars shown below the beam.


25 October 2009

Enhanced automatic merging of top and bottom bars with same size.
Enhanced visualisation of members at back and front of the beam.

Link zone dimensions added.

Enhanced beam sections are created.

Enhanced dividing of all bars when max cut length exceeded.


26 October 2009
Creation of detail drawings using the "All Axes to Single Sheet" option has been enhanced to allow
separate sheets for each floor if required.

As previously, you can include a table of reinforcement quantities on each sheet created but in
release 15.0 this information can now also be placed in a report, or exported to either Excel or
Access.
The above two enhancements mean that you can quickly create all the sheets in a single run hence
giving you the option to report quantities for the entire building or broken down on a floor by floor
basis. You can still create drawing sheet arrangements manually by selecting/arranging beam lines
so in total you can report the quantities broken down in 3 different ways (note that bar marks will be
different in each method).

User Interface
Style Options have been added These can be selected from the Graphical Editor Settings, General
tab these provide 4 options for toolbar style settings plus an option to have the properties dialog
fade after specified time delay (set to 0 to avoid fading).
Re-ordering and re-naming of options in Run menu is clearer.
Definition of Material Properties has been moved from the Building Parameters dialog to the Building
Analysis dialog.
New easier way to apply/edit column nodal loads
New option to display column design forces for any/every case/combination in plan view.
New option to display total added beam loads on each beam in plan view.


27 October 2009
Total Added Loads displayed on plan view

New options to print the column and beam design summary status lists.
Summary Table Report for Beams


28 October 2009
Modelling
There are numerous adjustments and enhancements making it easier to construct models.

New "overwrite" option when generating members from one storey to another.
Foundation Depth setting is exposed and editable in the "Edit Storey" dialog.

New Slab Insertion by Pick Points is introduced.

When selected you pick axis intersection points to define the perimeter of the slab.
As soon as you click an intersection where a grid is found that goes back to the start point the slab is
inserted. Therefore, for simple boundaries this option requires one less click per slab than the Pick
Axis option.
Slab insertion by "Beam Region" is enhanced as follows:
If you click within a region that is not totally enclosed by beams, the program will attempt to detect an
Axis Region instead - if found, a slab will be inserted within the axis region.
If you click within a region whilst pressing the CTRL key, Axis Region is automatically assumed - you
can pick more than one axis region and the slab is inserted when CTRL is released. (i.e. Slab is not
inserted to Beam Region if CTRL is pressed so this changes the insertion method to Axis Region
on the fly).
Slab Insertion by Pick Axis is changed as follows:
When "Pick Axis" is first selected the axis list will be cleared so that you can immediately start picking
axes. (i.e. it no longer goes into an editing mode).
At this point you can close the slab insertion dialog and continue with repeating steps below to insert
as many slabs as you want.
You can then start picking axes sequentially (no need to press the control key).
If/when you click the first axis for a second time a slab panel will immediately be inserted (if valid) and
the axis list will again be cleared so that insertion of the next panel can begin.
(Optionally, if you have kept the slab insertion dialog open you can insert the slab by clicking on "New
Slab Panel" rather than re-clicking on the first axis as noted above.)

Enhancements to Beam Insertion Methods:
Inserting beams that overlap other beams - a new question is asked about whether you want the
beams split to become secondary beams.


29 October 2009
New option to insert an offset beam - press the shift key while inserting a beam and a new dialog
appears to input the offset distance (a slightly hidden feature).

Load Decomposition by FE
Navigation between floors is now possible from the dialog
Automatic prompting to apply FE decomposed loads when the feature is used.
Automatic warning at start of building analysis if FE decomposed loads are to be used but the FE
decomposition is not up to date.
Building Analysis
Building analysis can be quite a bit faster for larger models.
Axial load comparison is enhanced to cope with case where len-storey 2 columns which finish at the
foundation level are used.
A completely new building Analysis Post Processor including:
Interface that is standardised with the FE floor post processor.
New "Find" feature
Find Icon (circled)


30 October 2009

New Diaphragm Confirmation feature

FE Analysis
If a column has a del z applied to raise the base level - this is now recognised in the FE model.
New options to "copy" graphics to windows clipboard implemented in FE and BA Post-processors.
Can then "paste" into other applications.
FE Post-processor - Option to filter and show contours for specific slab depths.


31 October 2009
Punching Shear
Improved routines for determining punching shear perimeters for more complex layouts.
New way of editing input data for punching shear checks (column editing in table).
Column Editing Icon (circled)

Materials Export
Quantity Extraction Reports have been significantly enhanced to allow reporting of reinforcement for
all member types. Quantity tables can be exported to Microsoft Access or Excel.

Extract from Quantity Table for Beams


32 October 2009

New Design Code Supported
Design to the Hong Kong design code: HK-2004 Structural Use of Concrete (2004) is now
available.
Documentation
Engineers Handbook is updated and includes several new chapters on design methods etc.
Revised Quick Start Guide to reflect new program version.

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