Save time with IDEA StatiCa

Design any connection type

Design steel connections of any type or complexity. Start from scratch or import connections directly from your BIM or analysis software. Apply your loads, visualize the behavior, and generate connection sketches and detailed reports. 

Do not limit yourself to just standard connections. With IDEA StatiCa Connection design:

• Shear connections including beam to beam, beam to column, etc. 
• Steel moment connections, including prequalified seismic connections
• Braced frame connections
• Base plate connections

Integrates with your software

IDEA StatiCa Checkbot integrates with 25+ of the most used analysis and BIM software. This allows you to export and synchronize design data. It eliminates errors and manual repetitive work by extending your current workflows. 

IDEA StatiCa Checkbot lets you visualize imported loads and members in 3D, manage load combinations, and see all connection and member properties and design status. Control the import from your analysis or BIM software and data synchronization between models. 

See how the Checkbot integrates with other software

>>Choose your preferred integration>>

RFI and Change Management

Many situations in connection design cannot be analyzed using standard procedures. 

When last-minute changes or unexpected issues in fabrication or on-site arise, even a simple connection can become complicated. Overdesigning or estimating can be expensive and risky—but with IDEA StatiCa, you can solve the issue in minutes. 

Misaligned anchors and notches, on-site interferences, revising a bolted shear tab to a welded shear tab, or retrofitting existing steel connections are just a few examples, where the simple connection design tools fall short. 

And then, instead of simple two-minute adjustments in IDEA StatiCa, you spend ages trying to figure out how to get beyond that issue. 

Read more about these costly pitfalls in our Connection design RFIs article series

Parametric templates

Save hours on repetitive tasks with over 50 ready-to-use parametric connection templates, reducing manual input and adjustment.

Parametric templates in IDEA StatiCa present an effective, automated alternative to traditional spreadsheet workflows. Designed with structural engineers in mind, the templates eliminate many of the manual steps required in spreadsheet-based checks and provide a robust framework for accuracy, consistency, and compliance.

See how parametric design templates work

Key benefits of parametric design templates in IDEA StatiCa

• Centralized and up-to-date databases
• Direct load imports with Checkbot
• Built-in code compliance
• Intuitive 3D visualization
• Automated, ready-to-share reports
• Enhanced distribution and version control
• Simplified customization and adaptability

>>Explore more about Parametric templates>>

Auto-design / Pre-design

Auto-design and pre-design bring the simplification of the iteration process of finding the proper design of connections. 

The Auto-design features include the auto-design of bolts in shear, together with automatic weld sizing to ductility and automatic weld sizing to capacity estimation. These are the next steps in automating the connection design process. 

The Pre-design function reads input data from the properties table of the given manufacturing operation and then creates a suggested initial design. In general, material and geometrical data of the connected members, bolt assembly, and weld data are all read as inputs for the process of pre-design. This results in the following initial design parameters: plate thickness, weld sizes, number, and layout of bolts that are generated.

All these features help significantly to speed up the design process and make it more straightforward and automated while keeping safety and cost efficiency in mind.