News

Design and test anchors more accurately than ever with IDEA StatiCa 25.1

26/10/2025

| Autore: Sebastiaan van Hassel

Steel

Concrete

Detail 3D

Connection

EN (Eurocode)

Anchoring

Reinforcement

Anchorage

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With version 25.1, IDEA StatiCa further expands anchoring capabilities. Engineers can now model multiple anchor types, from adhesive anchors to anchors with follower plates, and base plates with mortar joint or spacing. Testing multiple anchor groups within a single concrete block is also now fully supported.

Thanks to this extension, more than 75% of all anchoring situations are covered, without simplifications or risky assumptions.

Why this is a breakthrough

Where engineers previously had to rely on simplified models or separate tools, IDEA StatiCa now provides one consistent workflow for both steel connections (Connection), anchoring, and the reinforced concrete element (3D Detail). This saves time, prevents errors, and makes calculating anchors fun again instead of bringing uncertainty.

See below how the new workflow in IDEA StatiCa differs from the current approach.

❌ Current workflow	✅ Workflow with IDEA StatiCa 25.1
Simple tools ignore reinforcement or use conservative assumptions	Design and verify anchors including reinforcement, without simplifications
Complex anchors are outside the guidelines	Design and verify any configuration
Different engineers depend on each other and a lot of time is lost in case of project changes	Check every component within one workflow, without dependence on others

New features in 25.1

For the full list of new features, check out the release notes 25.1.

Wider range of anchor types

In addition to rebar and retrofitted adhesive anchors, it is now also possible to model anchor bolts and anchors with follower plates. This type of anchor behaves fundamentally differently, because under tensile loads, all force is transmitted through the follower plate or anchor head, and not through the attachment of the bar as with bonded anchors.

IDEA StatiCa 25.1 now supports the following types of anchors:

Retrofitted (bonded):

Straight threaded rods
Reinforcing bars (straight)

Poured-in anchors:

Anchors with follower plates
Anchor bolts (headed studs)
Rebar (different shapes)
U-shape and combination of anchors (3D Detail only)

Mounting options for the base plate

With embedded anchors, an adjustment space is often used. This can be modeled as an empty gap or filled with mortar. This was already possible in the Connection application, but is now also supported in the 3D Detail application.

IDEA StatiCa 25.1 supports the following assembly options:

Direct contact
Mortar joint
Spacing
Poured-in base plate

Where does 3D Detail make a difference?

In the Connection application, we can model steel connections with anchors and concrete. Here, however, the concrete is modeled as unreinforced and tests are performed according to EN 1992-4, clause 7.2.

Anchoring where additional reinforcement is required

In practice, it often happens that for anchors close to the edge or at high tensile or shear forces the concrete breaks out. It is virtually impossible to design these anchors without reinforcement. The 3D Detail application helps with this by including the reinforcement directly in the calculation, so you can design with confidence.

In addition, the application is also suitable for anchors in existing structures and for situations with multiple anchors in one concrete block. When concrete breakout cones affect each other, current guidelines offer limited options.