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Concise Beam Changelog

What's new in Concise Beam 4.66g

Apr 24, 2024
  • Corrected a unit conversion bug in the determination of whether minimum shear reinforcing is required that may affect non-prestressed beams (not slabs) designed to CI318-19. It may also affect beams with steel-fibre reinforcing designed to ACI318-14 or ACI318-19.

New in Concise Beam 4.66f (Apr 4, 2024)

  • Added an additional graph, "Torsion - Final Service", for the torsion design check. It illustrates the existing "Torsion Check - Final Service" text report.

New in Concise Beam 4.66e (Feb 14, 2024)

  • Cleaned up negative flexural checks where significant flexural is not present.
  • Corrected the code reference for over-reinforcement in AS3600-09 and AS3600-18.

New in Concise Beam 4.66d (Jan 10, 2024)

  • Rebar groups with straight end embedment can now be specified as bundled. All of the bars within the group are assumed to form a single bundle. The number of bars in the bundled group will be limited to four in accordance with the supported design codes. Bundling the bars may increase the tension and compression development length of the bars.
  • Corrected composite section properties for cast-in-place pours with a negative haunch height.

New in Concise Beam 4.66c (Dec 9, 2023)

  • Corrected the amount of shear steel needed where at least minimum shear steel is provided but not required. This may affect problems checked to codes where Vc is based on whether minimum shear steel being provided (CSA A23.3 & S6, ACI318-19, AS3600-2018).
  • Corrected a bug that may cause the program to crash when leaving the Beam Definition dialog without defining beam segments.

New in Concise Beam 4.66b (Nov 15, 2023)

  • The "Fill Cores for Shear Strengthening" option in the Shear Strengthening dialog is now ON by default.
  • Concise Beam will no longer calculate the number of hollowcore voids that would need to be filled to provide the required strength. Differing void sizes within a section make this calculation unreliable. The program will now simple report the total area or width of void fill required within the section to meet the required strength depending on the calculation method selected. When specifying the cores to be filled in the Hollowcore Parameters dialog the program will calculate the total fill area or width for the filled voids selected for comparison with the required value.
  • Filled cores that are interrupted by openings have been corrected. Note that a filled core that is partially cut away by an opening will not be considered filled at the opening as the fill will not be fully supported.
  • When importing precast cross-sections into a library file from the currently open problem file you will now have the option to also import sections automatically created by the program, such as at an opening.

New in Concise Beam 4.66a (Sep 11, 2023)

  • Fixed problem with the use of cracked section properties for non-composite cracked beams.

New in Concise Beam 4.65L (May 16, 2023)

  • Extended the use of shear friction below an interface stress of 500bvd in ACI where the interface is not intentionally roughened.
  • Reversed the "No Ties Required" note to "Ties Required" in the horizontal interface shear (sectional) report.

New in Concise Beam 4.65k (Apr 25, 2023)

  • Corrected the calculation of shear reinforcing provided under CSA codes in areas where the reinforcing spacing is changing in the presence of bursting steel.

New in Concise Beam 4.65j (Feb 8, 2023)

  • Corrected the load combination index reported in the reaction table.

New in Concise Beam 4.65i (Jan 11, 2023)

  • Corrected the input of the torsion parameters for AS3600:2018 to include y1.

New in Concise Beam 4.65h (Dec 13, 2022)

  • For ACI based codes the prestress class (U, T, or C) will now be defined for each extremity of the section (e.g. top or bottom) instead of one classification for the whole section. This will avoid confusion in the concrete stress summary table.
  • Corrected the limiting of the effective coefficient of friction (μe) for the ACI codes using the PCI recommendations.

New in Concise Beam 4.65g (Nov 11, 2022)

  • Corrected the length of the transfer length for horizontal shear at negative moments when using the Moment Region method.
  • Added new analysis reports for flexure, shear, and torsion which include the analysis results for each individual ULS load combination. These reports are for use on-screen only, they are not formatted for printing.

New in Concise Beam 4.65f (Oct 3, 2022)

  • Revised the wording of the "Deflection Limits - Final Service" graph for better clarity. The graph has also been renamed the "Change in Deflection - Final Service" graph.

New in Concise Beam 4.65e (Aug 12, 2022)

  • Corrected the crack width calculation report for non-prestressed beams.
  • Adjusted sectional horizontal interface shear check to limit interface shear to flexural load capacity carried by cast-in-place pour (non-AS codes).
  • Concise Beam will now guard against sustained loads being specified as reversible.

New in Concise Beam 4.65d (Jul 8, 2022)

  • Corrected the crack width calculation report for non-prestressed beams.
  • Adjusted sectional horizontal interface shear check to limit interface shear to flexural load capacity carried by cast-in-place pour (non-AS codes).

New in Concise Beam 4.65c (Jun 14, 2022)

  • Corrected the crack width calculation under AS3600-18 for non-prestressed beams.

New in Concise Beam 4.65b (Mar 8, 2022)

  • Removed cast-in-place stage flexural and shear design check reports from the Summary report when those checks are not performed.

New in Concise Beam 4.65a (Feb 2, 2022)

  • Improved PCI hollowcore load distribution to account for the location of distributed loads within a cantilever. Previous versions of Concise Beam used the full cantilever length to determine the load distribution.
  • Adjusted hollowcore fill dialog to show the section with the most voids, intended to be the full hollowcore section.

New in Concise Beam 4.64L (Dec 3, 2021)

  • Simplified minimum flexural steel note to avoid misinterpretation.
  • Added a hollowcore fill specification table to the Summary Report.

New in Concise Beam 4.64k (Oct 27, 2021)

  • Corrected moment arm for flexure component of longitudinal steel check (CSA codes).

New in Concise Beam 4.64j (Aug 11, 2021)

  • Correction to the moving load analysis.
  • Adjustment to the cracking calculations and reporting for non-prestressed beams cracked before they become composite.

New in Concise Beam 4.64i (Jun 4, 2021)

  • Corrected importing single precast sections into a library file.

New in Concise Beam 4.64h (May 7, 2021)

  • Adjusted shear depth for interface shear strength by section at the supports of short cantilevers.
  • A few corrections to the section generator templates.
  • Correction to the modulus of elasticity under CSA S6-19.

New in Concise Beam 4.64g (Apr 19, 2021)

  • Tensile steel provided to control tension at transfer and during handling is reduced for development up to the maximum stress level.
  • Reduced modulus of elasticity, fr, for non-prestressed deflection per CSA A23.3-14/19 and ACI318-19.
  • Corrected minimum bursting reinforcing requirement when minimum shear stirrups are not required.

New in Concise Beam 4.64f (Mar 19, 2021)

  • Adjusted deflections of beams with large cantilevers for correction of creep deflection between transfer and erection where the support conditions change significantly.

New in Concise Beam 4.64e (Feb 15, 2021)

  • Added new Shear option (S13) to account for excess stirrups in minimum long. torsional steel calculation (ACI only).

New in Concise Beam 4.64d (Jan 27, 2021)

  • Updated license check for new year.
  • Adjusted erection lift deflection.

New in Concise Beam 4.64c (Dec 9, 2020)

  • Add net total deflection to span to deflection ratios.
  • Adjusted long-term deflection multipliers for some cantilevers.

New in Concise Beam 4.64b (Nov 24, 2020)

  • Correction to ACI318-18 shear results for non-prestressed slabs or beams.

New in Concise Beam 4.64a (Oct 30, 2020)

  • Some internal and user-interface cleanup
  • Updates to the documentation

New in Concise Beam 4.63f (Sep 7, 2020)

  • Corrected analysis of generated loads (missing stations).
  • Corrected hollowcore fill dialog for openings at beginning of beam.
  • Account for user-defined shear width in generated sections.

New in Concise Beam 4.63e (Aug 6, 2020)

  • Corrected a problem with the horizontal shear for moment regions.

New in Concise Beam 4.63d (Jun 7, 2020)

  • Corrected a problem reading older files with customized load combinations.

New in Concise Beam 4.63c (May 14, 2020)

  • A few more adjustments to the loading dialog related to generated load groups to make it easier to understand.
  • Correction to the gamma parameter for the Zia-Hsu method (PCI) for lightly prestressed beams.
  • Adjustment to the transverse steel spacing check where minimum shear/torsion steel is not required.

New in Concise Beam 4.63b (Apr 28, 2020)

  • A few more corrections to the loading dialog related to generated load groups.

New in Concise Beam 4.63a (Mar 31, 2020)

  • A few corrections to the loading dialog related to turns loads or load groups on or off.

New in Concise Beam 4.62l (Dec 12, 2019)

  • Adjusted the minimum shear reinforcing requirement at the ends of prestressed beams under ACI.
  • Corrected an unneccesary warning about maximum shear reinforcing spacing.

New in Concise Beam 4.62k (Oct 22, 2019)

  • Adjusted long. reinforcing check with shear (CSA codes) for beams with compression steel.

New in Concise Beam 4.62j (Sep 5, 2019)

  • Updated a warning explanation in the flexural strength table.
  • Updated a warning explanation in the interface shear tables.
  • Updated notes under torsion steel table.
  • Added checks on zero load factors.
  • Correction to PCI Simplified loss method when using transformed section properties.

New in Concise Beam 4.62i (Jul 11, 2019)

  • Corrected generation of new load group name when duplicating an existing group.

New in Concise Beam 4.62h (Jul 11, 2019)

  • Corrected development length of very short unstressed strands.
  • Corrections to the Shoring Reactions table.
  • Added check that at least one ULS combo is active.
  • Adjusted number of load groups showing in handling stress reports.

New in Concise Beam 4.62g (Jul 11, 2019)

  • Corrected saving of default load combo names in customized code.

New in Concise Beam 4.62f (Jul 11, 2019)

  • Adjusting and corrected FLS stress ranges.
  • Reworked the shear design for beams and hollowcore without shear reinforcing that require minimum reinforcing.
  • In some circumstances minimum reinforcing can avoided if the concrete shear strength is twice the shear load. Prior
  • Versions of Concise Beam doubled the required shear strength to satisfy this condition. This new version halves
  • The calculated concrete shear strength instead of doubling the required strength, which reads better with the
  • Code and more recent common practise. It can also reduce the amount of extra strengthening needed for thinner
  • Hollowcore.
  • Corrected the load factor and name of dead load groups under CSA S6.
  • Corrected defining openings at the start of a segment.
  • Corrected exclusion of DLA in S6 lane load.

New in Concise Beam 4.62e (Mar 11, 2019)

  • Adjustment to check of maximum number of divisions along beam.
  • Adjustment of long. Steel check with shear for compression side of section (CSA codes only).

New in Concise Beam 4.62d (Feb 11, 2019)

  • Extended the PCI Hollowcore load distributions to include the new distribution for cantilevers in the 3rd edition of the PCI Hollowcore Manual. Concise Beam is not able to account to the location of the loading on the cantilever so it assumes that the loads are on, or extends to, the end of the cantilever. Other loading conditions may require the default distribution to be edited.

New in Concise Beam 4.62b (Jan 8, 2019)

  • Corrected defining openings at the start of the beam.

New in Concise Beam 4.62a (Nov 10, 2018)

  • Corrected section trim dialog.
  • Restored revised uncracked concrete stress reports and graphs for non-prestressed beams.
  • Corrected changing library path when selecting materials.

New in Concise Beam 4.61k (Oct 9, 2018)

  • Corrected analysis of partial length area loads.

New in Concise Beam 4.61j (Aug 7, 2018)

  • Corrected the generation of ledger beam sections.

New in Concise Beam 4.61i (Jul 12, 2018)

  • Corrected inclusion of snow, ice, and rain loads in live load deflections.

New in Concise Beam 4.61h (Jun 25, 2018)

  • Adjusted calculation of Vci for ACI and NZ codes.

New in Concise Beam 4.61g (Mar 31, 2018)

  • The cracking calculations have been extended to check cracking in the cast-in-place pour at the end of the beam where continuity is being simulated. Included a general review of the cracked properties calculations.
  • Adjusted the calculation of the first flexural frequency.

New in Concise Beam 4.61f (Feb 26, 2018)

  • Adjusted longitudinal steel tension check for CSA A23.3 and S6.

New in Concise Beam 4.61e (Jan 29, 2018)

  • Added invertable prestress load factors at SLS for stress and deflection.

New in Concise Beam 4.61d (Dec 29, 2017)

  • Added option (D4) to control how prestress camber is restrained or not when the beam is shored for it's own weight.

New in Concise Beam 4.61c (Dec 5, 2017)

  • Corrected graph for concrete stress at bottom of cast-in-place pour.

New in Concise Beam 4.61b (Nov 23, 2017)

  • Adjusted check for rupture of strand.
  • Reinstated load group reactions to Summary Report. This table will be reworked in the next
  • version with an option to turn load group reactions on or off in the Summary Report.

New in Concise Beam 4.61a (Nov 12, 2017)

  • Adjustments to the section generator.
  • Added new libraries based on the CPCI Design Manual, 5th edition to replace the 4th edition libraries.
  • Correction to shoring calculation where the beam weight is also shored.
  • Adjusted check for rupture of strand.

New in Concise Beam 4.61 (Oct 30, 2017)

  • Added additional shoring options. Previous versions of Concise Beam only had the option of continuous shoring where the weight of the cast-in-place (CIP) pour is carried completely by the composite section after removal of the shoring. Version 4.61 now allows you to defined discrete shoring points. They can be evenly spaced, spaced at a maximum distance apart, or placed at specific locations. Discrete shoring points will cause some bending in the precast beam during placement of the CIP pour which will result in some additional built-in stresses.
  • Added optional limits to the travel of the moving load. In the previous version the moving load travelled over the full length of the beam, as in the case of a bridge girder. Applying limits will make it easier to model such applications as crane travel, or the transverse variation of traffic moving perpendicular to the beam. For instance trucks in a loading bay supported by slab planks spanning transverse to the direction of travel. In that case a special moving load representing the two wheel lines as axles would have to be created.
  • Completed the maximization/minimization of load effects and the tracking of corresponding load effects. Transient and rare loads are disregarded if they don't maximize, or minimize, a load effect at any section along the beam. Reversible loads are reversed in sign from the input values in order to maximize, or minimize, a load effect at each section. Corresponding load effects are also disregarded or reversed (e.g. to maximize shear a load may be reversed which reverses the shear effect, and corresponding moment and torsion effects). In this context maximized means most positive and minimized means most negative. With this change all default load combinations now only use positive load factors. Negative load factors are used in some building codes to account for reversed loads (e.g. wind and EQ). This is no longer necessary in Concise Beam.
  • A new file format has been created for the problem files to accommodate additional data used by the program. It still uses the *.con extension but cannot be read by versions of Concise Beam prior to version 4.61. Version 4.61 will read files created by Concise Beam version 2.x, 3.x, and all prior versions of Concise Beam 4.x. Files will now be saved in the new file format.
  • Added facility to generate a new standard section using dimensional parameters.
  • Added facility to trim a section to width or height (e.g. ripping a hollowcore plank to width)
  • Added indication of design check warnings to the graphs.
  • Warnings are now distinguished from notes in text reports by using a capital letter instead of a number for reference to the explanatory text.
  • Added definition of openings to the Summary Report.
  • Added first flexural frequency to Summary Report.
  • Added width to the load description of area loads in the Summary Report.
  • Added lifting and truck support locations to Summary Report and Stability report.
  • Added indicator of special points to text report tables.
  • Added option to only check non-composite section for vertical shear.
  • Added kg and tonnes (t) to the list of Metric (MKS) force units for non-SI users.
  • Added warnings that large openings in beam may be outside the scope of Concise Beam.
  • Added variable strip height for strain compatibility analysis.
  • Added check for rupture of steel in the flexural capacity calculation. Capacity will be reduced to avoid or account for rupture.
  • Added check of load group type against ULS combinations to ensure that load group types selected by the user are included in at least one ULS combination.
  • Added ability to define arcs in the text-based precast section import files.
  • Completed and updated some tutorials (completing the tutorials still in progress).
  • Added additional material to the Technical Background portion of the Manual (always a work in progress).
  • Reviewed and adjusted cracking calculations and crack control steel.
  • Added S6 cracking method.
  • Rearranged cracking report.
  • Importing sections to a library from the problem file now only includes user-selected sections and not generated sections (e.g. at openings).
  • Added shear strength to check of applicability of minimum flexural strength for prestressed beams under ACI. Also added a calculation option to not use shear strength to match previous versions of Concise Beam.
  • Added an adjustment for the check of long. steel for flexure and shear (Canadian codes) for beams without stirrups.
  • Revised calculation of crack spacing parameter for MCFT shear method for Canadian Codes.
  • Put restrictions on load stages that certain load types can be applied or removed.
  • Reworked the analysis results to better track corresponding load effects.
  • Rearranged the applied loading and reactions tables in the Summary Report.
  • Renamed the "Final" stage to "Final Service" stage to clarify that it is the in-service stage after long-term deformations, where appropriate, have taken place.
  • Removed reference to torsion in reports and graphs if there is no torsional loading.
  • Lateral offset to vertical opening now taken to center of opening instead of left edge as in version 4.60.
  • Adjustments to Shear Reinforcing dialog for hollowcore planks.
  • Adjustments to Loading dialog.
  • Adjustments to Prestressing dialog.
  • Adjusted shear tables to show required values when design option turned off.
  • Corrected reading and writing of target theta angle for torsion in problem file.

New in Concise Beam 4.61 Beta 1 (Sep 8, 2017)

  • Known issues:
  • Tutorials need to be completed.
  • Verification Suite needs to be updated.
  • Significant Changes:
  • Added additional shoring options including discrete shoring points.
  • Added optional limits to the travel of the moving load.
  • Completed the maximization/minimization of load effects and the tracking of corresponding load effects.
  • A new file format has been created for the problem files to accommodate additional data.
  • Added facility to generate a new parametric section.
  • Added facility to trim a section to width or height.
  • Added indication of design check warnings to the graphs.
  • Warnings are now distinguished from notes in text reports by using a capital letter.
  • Added option to only check non-composite section for vertical shear.
  • Various additions to the Summary Report.
  • Added kg and tonnes (t) to the list of Metric (MKS) force units for non-SI users.
  • Added warnings that large openings in beam may be outside the scope of Concise Beam.
  • Added ability to define arcs in the text-based precast section import files.

New in Concise Beam 4.60s (Aug 1, 2017)

  • Corrected creation of single hold-down harp profiles to avoid duplicate nodes.

New in Concise Beam 4.60r (Jun 21, 2017)

  • Corrected calculation of long torsion steel for Zia-Hsu Method.

New in Concise Beam 4.60q (May 9, 2017)

  • Fixed the reading of sustained live loads from older problem files (before version 4.60).

New in Concise Beam 4.60p (Apr 12, 2017)

  • Released on April 10, 2017
  • Limit deflection during construction (up to Completion stage) to sustained loads.
  • Corrected flexural over-reinforcement check within development lengths.
  • Additional check that stirrup strength properties are set even if stirrups not used.

New in Concise Beam 4.60o (Apr 12, 2017)

  • Released on March 11, 2017
  • Fixed area loading width controls.
  • Adjusted light-weight concrete limits.
  • Corrected ability to turn off load combinations.

New in Concise Beam 4.60n (Apr 12, 2017)

  • Released on February 16, 2017
  • Corrected reporting of negative load group torsional reactions.
  • Corrected generation of segment properties after leaving torsion dialog.
  • Changed Long. Steel check to use moment lever instead of effective shear depth for M/dv (CSA A23.3 only).
  • Corrected a problem writing and reading non-english file names.
  • Corrected shoring of beam weight.

New in Concise Beam 4.60m (Apr 12, 2017)

  • Released on January 12, 2017
  • Corrected conversion of sustained live load case from old file to version 4.6 file.
  • Corrected deflection due to sustained live load.

New in Concise Beam 4.60L (Apr 12, 2017)

  • Released on December 31, 2016)
  • Corrected use of theta angle for torsion steel under A23.4-04 & 14 and S6-06 & 14.
  • Adjusted display of stirrup spacing.
  • Adjusted reporting of shear strength required with torsion.

New in Concise Beam 4.60k (Apr 12, 2017)

  • Released on November 23, 2016
  • Corrected problem adding torsion parameters during load analysis.
  • Adjusted longitudinal steel force with flexure and shear (A23.3).

New in Concise Beam 4.60j (Nov 2, 2016)

  • Changes to custom code base code will reset the problem level combinations.
  • Edited Concrete Stress All Stages report.
  • Corrected problem with Design Graph dialog.
  • Corrected reading custom code default values.

New in Concise Beam 4.60i Revision 1 (Oct 21, 2016)

  • Limited moving load to the Final loading stage.
  • Corrected potential crash in Beam Definition dialog when creating the first segment.
  • Corrected the drawing of void polygons in the section editor.
  • Corrected cracking classification under ACI for light-weight concrete.

New in Concise Beam 4.60g (Sep 18, 2016)

  • Corrected display of load distribution diagram in the load distribution edit dialog.
  • Corrected saving of edge pattern load distributions to file.
  • A new file format has been created for the problem files to accommodate additional data used by the program. It still uses the *.con extension but cannot be read by versions of Concise Beam prior to version 4.60g.
  • Version 4.60g will read files created by all prior versions of Concise Beam. Files will now be saved in the new file format.

New in Concise Beam 4.60f (Sep 12, 2016)

  • Corrected symbol for negative point moments in Loading Dialog.
  • The Concise Beam program and installation files are now digitally signed in the developer's name.
  • Corrected selected load groups in analysis graphs.

New in Concise Beam 4.60e (Sep 1, 2016)

  • Removed service level earthquake as a default in the SLS stress load combo.
  • Reading older files (before 4.60) that include wind loads will prompt users whether to include those wind loads in SLS checks (now the default).
  • Corrected long-term deflections for beams with cantilevers.

New in Concise Beam 4.60d (Aug 30, 2016)

  • Corrected problems with beams with openings and torsion.
  • More improvements to the section editor.
  • Improvements to the automatic modification of load groups in the load dialog.

New in Concise Beam 4.60c (Aug 30, 2016)

  • Corrected problems in creating new empty library files.
  • Improvements to the section editor.
  • Corrected a problem with inactive load combinations.
  • Updated the Manual table of contents.
  • Improved handling of loads added before a load group is defined.
  • Corrected a problem with the limiting of design torsions at supports.

New in Concise Beam 4.60b (Aug 30, 2016)

  • Corrected loading user defined load distributions.
  • Corrected problem with shear steel input table in Summary Report.
  • Corrected loading of a problem file when double clicked or dragged onto the Concise Beam icon.
  • Corrected generation of harped profile.
  • Corrected various issues involving the Segment Opening dialog.
  • Corrected unit conversion or torsion forces in reaction report.

New in Concise Beam 4.60a (Aug 30, 2016)

  • Corrected a problem with the Torsion Parameters dialog.
  • Improved entry of floating point numbers in edit fields. You can now start typing number
  • with "." and "-" without a warning.

New in Concise Beam 4.60 (Aug 30, 2016)

  • Design codes:
  • Added support for ACI318-14, CSA A23.3-14 and CSA S6-14. Concise Beam now supports 14 design
  • standards or codes.
  • Updated CSA S6-06 support for Supplement #1 (2010).
  • Updated CSA S6-06 loading to include dead load only load combination (#9).
  • Loading:
  • Eliminated the fixed load cases used in older versions of Concise Beam. The user can
  • now define their own load groups which contain a number of related loads. User-defined
  • load groups represent the related loads of a given type (i.e Live Load), duration, and
  • load distribution. Predefined load groups are provided to simulate most of the old load cases.
  • When defining static loads the user can now apply area loads to the beam. In previous
  • versions users had to convert area loads to linear loads. The user is now also able to
  • define a lateral offset to the load so that the program will automatically determine the
  • applied torsional load component. In previous version the user had to define separate
  • torsion loads to account for load eccentricity.
  • Moving loads have been added to the available loading options. Libraries of predefined
  • moving loads such as highway live loads are provided with the program. The user is also
  • able to create their own moving loads and save them to a library file for future use.
  • The moving load library can be accessed through the Libraries dialog as with section and
  • material libraries. The Moving Load library files have an XML based file format. Existing
  • binary file formats of the other library types will be switched to XML in the future.
  • Pre-defined moving loads, such as code based highway live loads (S6 only for now), include
  • automated load distribution. User will have to supply distribution parameters.
  • Added additional load combinations for deflections and fatigue.
  • Load combinations can now be customized in a problem file without having to customize the
  • selected code.
  • Concise Beam can now better maximize the load combination effects in service and at ultimate.
  • Added a diagram to preview load distributions in the Load Distribution dialog.
  • Added beam option to account for torsion of cip pour offset.
  • Beam modeling:
  • Added a new facility to define vertical or horizontal through openings the beam and
  • cast-in-place pour. The program will create the openings automatically with no need for
  • the user to define special sections.
  • Added user-defined stations for evaluation and design check.
  • Changed check of lifting offsets to be either side of the centre of gravity of the beam.
  • Serviceability checks:
  • Added additional check of use of old deflection modifiers (checking ini file for need to update).
  • Added an option to allow user to define the length of the beam end zone for concrete stresses at
  • transfer.
  • Improved erection deflection estimate when there is a large difference between transfer blocking
  • and final supports.
  • Added SLS stress limits for CIP Pour stage.
  • Adjusted decompression force calculations.
  • Prestressing:
  • Added a facility to generate a harp profile for a specific strand group.
  • Renamed the CPCI Detailed and PCI Simplified loss methods to encourage ACI users to use
  • the more accurate detailed method. The simplified method is still the default for ACI users
  • since it's used in the PCI Design Handbook.
  • Revised check for tension when doubling development length. An option is now provided to control
  • whether the check if for any tension anywhere along bottom of beam in service or just in
  • development length.
  • Adjusted check of prestressing to avoid good strands being seen as outside the concrete.
  • Flexural design check:
  • Added calculation option to use a rectangular stress block for ultimate flexural strength (on
  • by default as in previous versions). A concrete stress-strain curve will be used instead when
  • the stress block is not used or is inappropriate (i.e. for reduced maximum concrete strains).
  • The user can select a concrete stress-strain curve within the Concrete Definition dialog. The PCA
  • parabolic/linear curve had been used internally in the past.
  • Adjusted the flexural calculation option for slipped partial-length strand. By default Concise
  • Beam will now assume that slipped partial-length strand still carry load prorated for the strand
  • development. This change follows changes to the PCI Handbook, 7th edition errata (2011).
  • Discounting slipped partial length strands as per the Martin-Korkosz method is available as an
  • option.
  • Added an option to reduce phi for flexure in the strand development length.
  • Shear and torsion check:
  • Added calculation option to check the principle stress in the calculation of Vcw (ACI and NZS
  • codes) as allowed as an alternative by the code. This principle stress check was performed by
  • default in Concise Beam from version 4.59 through version 4.59u. This option is now off by
  • default which is more conservative.
  • The definition of shear stirrups and horizontal interface ties have been separated.
  • Added estimation of top of web and height of loading based on section type. Height of web
  • is used in fpc & Vcw calculation. Height of loading used for length of shear limit at supports.
  • Added option to calculate bursting steel requirements.
  • Rewrote the long. steel check section for CSA codes.
  • The maximum limit on interface shear strength is now more explicit. The shear strength provided is
  • now reduced to this limit.
  • Adjusted the limiting of design torsion near the supports.
  • Corrected the calculation of Vo under AS3600-2001 in negative bending.
  • Corrected maximum horizontal shear strength under ACI codes is shear friction is not used.
  • Corrected simplified concrete shear strength within the transfer length for ACI and NZ codes.
  • Corrected check for minimum shear steel if hollow-cre fill is provided.
  • General:
  • A new file format has been created for the problem files to accommodate additional data
  • used by the program. It still uses the *.con extension but cannot be read by versions of
  • Concise Beam prior to version 4.60. Version 4.60 will read files created by Concise Beam
  • version 3.x and all prior versions of Concise Beam 4.x. Files will now be saved in the
  • new file format.
  • Added command line flag for safe mode to turn off update checking.
  • Added Restore to Factory button for calculation options.
  • Added option numbers to the Calculation Options for easier referencing.
  • Added Reset and transparency to preferences dialog.
  • Added filled voids to the 3D view of the beam.
  • Added ability to show beam as a wire-frame (except the ends).
  • Added transparency to 3d view between segment ends.
  • Revised and added new tutorials.
  • Adjusted the design process dialog updates.
  • Added user notes field to Problem Identification dialog.
  • Corrected display of current version installed.
  • Corrected saving the default calculation options.
  • Input:
  • Add and Modify buttons will now be highlighted in red to indicate that user-input changes have been made that
  • should be saved with the "Modify" or "Add" buttons.
  • Added user notes facility to Problem Identification dialog.
  • Corrected the check for the need for torsional parameters.
  • Fixed Custom Code Stress dialog.
  • Output:
  • Revised the Loading, Analysis and Reaction tables to suit new load groups, combinations, and envelopes.
  • Added code references to the text report table notes and warnings.
  • Added black and white printing of graphs.
  • Added low density factor, lambda, to shear details report.
  • Added Moving load details report.
  • Added Moving load distribution report.
  • Added export of text reports.
  • Added Non-Default Options settings to Summary Report including option to turn on/off.
  • Added Problem Notes to Summary Report including option to turn on/off.
  • Added addition Summary Report on/off settings for future use.
  • Clarified labels for maximum allowable stirrup spacing.
  • Corrected reporting of cracked stresses.
  • Libraries:
  • Added new moving load libraries for highway live loads.
  • Added ability to change the system of units used in a library file.
  • Corrected the Section Editor to handle negative numbers better in X and Y controls.
  • Corrected the check of end of file when importing text library files.

New in Concise Beam 4.59x (Aug 30, 2016)

  • Corrected calculation of V/M where M = 0 for prestressed beams under ACI 318.
  • Corrected the label of the Principal Stress option and how it's saved to file.
  • Adjusted the reading of version 2 files by resetting the deflection multipliers to default values.
  • Corrected table header for non-ACI torsion.
  • Added section libraries for Ultra-Span in metric and US Units.
  • Revised section libraries for Spancrete to represent full grouted width.
  • Axial strain for CSA MCFT Vc will now check max V with corr. M versus max M with corr V to get most tensile strain.

New in Concise Beam 4.59w (Aug 30, 2016)

  • Corrected calculation of point moment at point of application.
  • Corrected slippage note in flexural table.
  • Adjusted calculation of sze for shear under CSA A23.3 and S6. sze for beams with less than minimum
  • shear steel is now limited to a minimum of 300 mm to agree with the value proscribed in the code for beams with minimum shear steel.
  • Adjusted the selection of sections included the text report tables to improve symmetry where appropriate.

New in Concise Beam 4.59v (Aug 30, 2016)

  • Added ability to read Concise Beam version 2 files.
  • Improved reading of Concise Beam version 3 files.
  • Added option to not check principal stress (alternative method) for Vcw.

New in Concise Beam 4.59u (Apr 29, 2015)

  • Corrected calculation of fpc.
  • Corrected a bug that caused the section editor to suddenly zoom in or out when editing the section.
  • Improved the panning within the section editor when using the mouse (left and right button held down).

New in Concise Beam 4.59t (Feb 23, 2015)

  • Adjusted the Shear Design report tables for the combined effect of shear steel (stirrups) and filled cores in hollow-core planks.
  • A few small corrections to the Section Editor.
  • Tutorial #4 has been revised to demonstrate how to create a section that has been cut vertically through a void (e.g. a hollow-core section).

New in Concise Beam 4.59s (Dec 19, 2014)

  • Adjusted wording of Stress and Cracking Tables in Summary Report for non-prestressed beams.
  • The Cracking Table now indicates if cracking occurs before the beam is composite along with the estimate.

New in Concise Beam 4.59r (Oct 30, 2014)

  • Corrected the relaxation loss of the AS3600 prestress loss method.
  • Removed the explicit elastic shortening loss regain for superimposed sustained loads in the AS3600 prestress loss method. This better matches the recommendation of the NPCAA manual which presumably assumes that the ES regain is empirically accounted for by AS3600 parameters.

New in Concise Beam 4.59q (Oct 23, 2014)

  • Some bug fixes and adjustments to the cracked section analysis and stress report.

New in Concise Beam 4.59p (Sep 27, 2014)

  • Modified creep loss calculations to account for change in support conditions between transfer and service on beam self-weight. This will have an impact on beams with long cantilevers.
  • Adjusted search of steel for long. steel cheque (CSA codes only).
  • Separated bearing movement table from combined deflection table.
  • Corrected calculation of force induced in rebar by creep loss.

New in Concise Beam 4.59o (Jul 24, 2014)

  • Corrected a bug that was preventing the "Prestressed Force Induced in Rebar" report from being generated properly.

New in Concise Beam 4.59n (Jun 26, 2014)

  • Added support rotations and beam length change due to creep and shrinkage to combined deflection report.
  • Corrected conditions on use of PCI effective shear friction coefficient (Handbook 7th ed.) and use of density factor.
  • Minor correction to shear steel spacing for S6-06.
  • Corrected the reported strand force at jacking for AS3600-09. Could effect the results if user-defined losses are used.
  • Adjusted use of PCI recommendation for minimum prestress shear strength under ACI318.
  • Adjusted the calculation of Vci (flexural shear strength) for ACI 318 and NZS 3101.
  • Adjusted the check for program updates to avoid potential crashes on some systems.

New in Concise Beam 4.59m (Apr 11, 2014)

  • Corrected the reporting of the immediate deflection for live load when roof loads, etc. are included.
  • Simplified the Deflection Parameters dialog for non-composite beams.
  • The "Do Not Include Cast-in-Place Pour" option now indicates that any defined cast-in-place pour will be ignored for the current analysis and design check but is included in the final beam configuration.

New in Concise Beam 4.59L (Mar 12, 2014)

  • Extended the use shear friction for horizontal shear with ACI codes.
  • Corrected the use of the PCI maximum limit on shear friction.

New in Concise Beam 4.59k (Jan 11, 2014)

  • Updated PCI recommended concrete stress limit for tension at transfer to TR-7-05.
  • Completed the help file contents for the Technical Background document.
  • Corrected bug in Select Materials with empty directories.

New in Concise Beam 4.59j (Dec 3, 2013)

  • Adjusted the printer font to automatically account for different resolution printers.
  • Reinstated printing of node data when printing section sheet.

New in Concise Beam 4.59i (Oct 16, 2013)

  • Added a new load case for construction LL.
  • Added new graph and reports for the cip construction stage (SLS checks)
  • Added additional checks that old prestress deflection multipliers at completion of construction have been updated.
  • Corrected the display of units of measure in the Hollow Core Parameters dialog.

New in Concise Beam 4.59h (Aug 20, 2013)

  • Adjusted the search for reinforcing steel for the shear strength under AS3600.
  • Added a new section library file for Canadian bridge girders from provincial MoTs (initially Ontario).

New in Concise Beam 4.59g (Jul 26, 2013)

  • Corrected lateral stability check for non-prestressed beams.
  • Ensure that lifting and transportation offsets are less than 1/4 of the length of the beam.
  • Some adjustments to the reading of text based library files.
  • Some adjustments to the hollow-core design facility.
  • Adjustment to the decompression moment.
  • Corrected the entry of negative numbers in the section editor.

New in Concise Beam 4.59f (Jul 9, 2013)

  • Corrected problem with hollow-core containing more than 10 cores.

New in Concise Beam 4.59e (Jul 9, 2013)

  • Corrected the calculation of flexural strength for sections with toppings offset below or above the top of the precast section.

New in Concise Beam 4.59d (Jul 9, 2013)

  • Corrected the check for long. steel under CSA codes when "Supports not in Compression" option is turned off.
  • Corrected a crash that can occur when a hollowcore section is reduced after filling cores.

New in Concise Beam 4.59c (Jul 9, 2013)

  • Corrected an error in the cracking calculations that can cause a crash when some strands or rebar groups are turned off.

New in Concise Beam 4.59b (Jul 9, 2013)

  • Improved the estimation of printed pages in the Print dialog.
  • Adjusted the calculation of prestress eccentricity for partially stressed strands

New in Concise Beam 4.59a (Jul 9, 2013)

  • Adjustment to the check for updates.

New in Concise Beam 4.59 (Jul 9, 2013)

  • Added a new facility to calculate the addition shear strength provided by filling cores in a hollow-core plank. Concise Beam can now estimate the extent of fill required for the required shear strength of hollow-core planks.
  • Added a new dialog to specify the hollow core fill parameters and the actual extent of the fill in the cores. The weight of this fill is also accounted for in the load analysis.
  • Added an option to allow Concise Beam to calculate the long-term deflection multipliers for prestressed beams based on the actual beam characteristics. You still have the option to use the predefined multipliers recommended by PCI or to supply your own multipliers.
  • Added a new option to allow Concise Beam to allow slipped strand to carry load. This option affects the calculation of the flexural strength within the development length of a partial-length strand and is now recommended by PCI (I currently have doubts about this approach).
  • The About Concise Beam dialog now shows program updating information. The program will now tell you if a new version is available for download.
  • Implemented active switches for applied loads, long. rebar, and strand groups. These switches allow you to turn load, bar or strands groups off without having to delete them.
  • Implemented the alternate method (non CSA code) for calculating web shear strength based on principle tensile stress. This can lead to a higher shear strength near the ends of a beam.
  • Some codes (e.g. ACI 318) allow the designer to choose the compression strut angle to be used to optimize the design of torsion steel. Concise Beam now allows the user to specify this angle in the Torsion Parameters dialog.
  • Concise Beam now allows the user to choose the font used for text reports on screen and in print.
  • Added a font selection dialogs in the View menu for print and screen fonts in text reports.
  • Add additional verification problems for PCI 7th.
  • Added Section Type field to Beam Definition dialog.
  • Made printed headers/footers in text reports and graphs more consistent.
  • Added numeric keypad numbers 9 & 3 to controls that scroll through graphs. This allows you to use PgUp and PgDn without having to have the Num Lock key on.
  • Separated the torsion report from the shear report.
  • Now show the torsion/shear interaction stresses in the Torison Report.
  • The torsion steel reports now reports the total long. torsion steel required and allowable reduction in the compression zone. The previous method of applying the reduction to the compression side of the section did work for all sections.
  • Reformatted the stress reports.
  • Reformatted the shear and torsion reports.
  • Better defined the tensile stress limits in the stress reports.
  • Revised the Horizontal Shear - Moment Region report to give more detail.
  • Revised many reports to reduce width in print (based on Lucida Console 7 pt).
  • Adjusted zooming and panning rates in the section editor.
  • Corrected Grid Snap dialog.
  • Corrected minimum envelope for the load analysis. Changed shear and moment design to consider only + or - values (not just envelope).
  • Corrected the section editor to prevent crashes on new sections and zooming in too much.
  • Corrected the check for tension in the calculation of the development length multiplier for debonding.
  • Corrected the loss percent summary with partial length strand.
  • Corrected bug when deleting a folder in a library file.
  • A new file format has been created for the problem files to accommodate additional data used by the program. It still uses the *.con extension but cannot be read by versions of Concise Beam prior to version 4.59. Version 4.59 will read files created by Concise Beam version 3.x and all prior versions of Concise Beam 4.x. Files will now be saved in the new file format.

New in Concise Beam 4.58h (Jul 9, 2013)

  • The program now checks for and corrects zeroed out concrete paramaters (Design Parameters dialog).
  • Fixed a bug in the S6 loss method when using single wire tendons.ed stresses of untopped beam.

New in Concise Beam 4.58g (Jul 9, 2013)

  • Adjusted the PCI deflection multipliers for the completion of construction and some final conditions.
  • Corrected the moment used for transfer deflections when using the midspan section properties option.
  • Corrected the tensile rebar stress limit at transfer when using the PCI Standard Practice.
  • Corrected the calculation of cracked stresses of untopped beam.

New in Concise Beam 4.58f (Jul 9, 2013)

  • Turned off Folder Rename and Folder Delete buttons from Edit Precast Section dialog when
  • editing a section in the problem file (ouside of a library file).
  • Corrected bug in Stress Summary report.

New in Concise Beam 4.58e (Jul 9, 2013)

  • Corrected calculation of strength reduction factor under ACI for short beams.

New in Concise Beam 4.58d (Jul 9, 2013)

  • Corrected the operation of the transfer length button in the prestressing dialog.
  • Minor correction to the Summary Report layout.

New in Concise Beam 4.58c (Jul 9, 2013)

  • Added Box Girder to list of section types.
  • The Summary Report will print in Landscape mode by default.
  • Corrected rounding of Y offset in the Beam Definition dialog.

New in Concise Beam 4.58b (Jul 9, 2013)

  • Support locations will now retain offset from each end of beam with any change in total
  • beam length.
  • Corrected calculation of deflection multipliers with upward loading.

New in Concise Beam 4.58a (Jul 9, 2013)

  • Corrected calculation of Vc Provided (with stirrups).

New in Concise Beam 4.58 (Jul 9, 2013)

  • Added ACI 318-11 to the list of supported design codes.
  • Added optional lateral beam stability checks during lifting and during transport by
  • truck.
  • Added an optional stress check during transport by truck.
  • Extended the lifting stress checks to distinguish between initial lifting from the
  • casting bed and lifting for transport and erection.
  • Added new dialog labelled Beam Handling to input all parameters related to optional
  • stress and stability checks during lifting (initial and erection) and during truck
  • transport.
  • Moved lifting locations from Beam Definition dialog to the new Beam Handling dialog.
  • Added initial lifting to schedule.
  • Added transport and erection lifting properties to reports.
  • Added transport and erection lifting stresses to reports.
  • Library text files for precast sections can now include circles.
  • A new file format has been created for the problem files to accommodate additional data
  • used by the program. It still uses the *.con extension but cannot be read by versions
  • of Concise Beam prior to version 4.58. Version 4.58 will read files created by Concise
  • Beam version 3.x and all prior versions of Concise Beam 4.x. Files will now be saved in
  • the new file format.
  • Added immediate deflection graph.
  • Concise Beam now remembers it's main window size and location.
  • When checking licensee names the spaces are now removed first.
  • Added Move Up/Move Down button to segment, load, load distribution, rebar, strand
  • dialog lists.
  • Added Uncracked Section Properties Summary Report and now use it in Summary Report.
  • Show Stress Summary Report in Summary Report for non-prestressed beams.
  • Added strand transfer calculation method to text report and Prestressing dialog table.
  • Added Restore button to Title dialog to restore the default engineer and company name
  • from file.
  • Set required stirrup spacing to zero if no stirrups are required or provided.
  • Improved calculation of fpc for torsional threshold calculation.
  • Numerous corrections and adjustments to the Section Editor.
  • Corrected flexural resistance factor under ACI318-02
  • Corrected Analysis Report note about low live loading.
  • Corrected graphed location of long. shear steel critical section.
  • Revised drawing of bearing in graph so that it's accurate for printing.