With the release of SDC Verifier 2024 R2, engineers gain access to an array of enhancements that further streamline verification workflows and elevate design confidence. This latest version empowers engineers to tackle increasingly complex challenges with ease and precision, from expanded compatibility with leading FEA software to incorporating new standards and codes.
This technical overview will delve into the critical improvements in SDC Verifier 2024 R2, highlighting the new features and capabilities that directly impact engineering workflows and verification outcomes.
Expanded Compatibility and Standards Support
SDC Verifier 2024 R2 broadens its compatibility with leading Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software, now seamlessly integrating with the latest releases of:
- ANSYS 2024 R2
- Siemens Femap 2406
- Siemens Simcenter 3D 2406
Staying abreast of the latest FEA software versions is essential for engineers to access cutting-edge simulation capabilities and performance optimizations. This expanded compatibility ensures a smooth and efficient workflow, saving you time and allowing seamless transfer of simulation results to SDC Verifier for comprehensive verification and validation.
New Standards and Codes
In response to the evolving demands of diverse engineering fields, SDC Verifier 2024 R2 introduces support for several new standards and codes:
ASME BTH-1 (2017, 2020, 2023): This standard provides critical guidelines for designing and verifying below-the-hook lifting devices, essential components in heavy machinery and material handling operations. The inclusion of multiple editions ensures compliance with varying project requirements.
DNV CG-0128 (2015, 2023): These plate buckling rules expand SDC Verifier’s capabilities in assessing the stability of plate structures under compressive loads, a critical consideration in marine, offshore, and other industries where structural integrity is paramount.
Enhanced AISC Member Checks: The AISC member check library now encompasses T-shaped cross-sections, allowing for the verification of a broader range of structural members commonly used in steel construction projects.
These additions, along with continuous improvements to existing standards, reaffirm SDC Verifier’s commitment to providing engineers with a comprehensive toolkit for design validation and compliance across a wide array of industries and applications. This comprehensive toolkit is designed to instill confidence in your design and compliance processes.
Streamlining Verification Workflows
Generating load combinations for structural analysis can be time-consuming and error-prone. SDC Verifier 2024 R2 addresses this challenge with an enhanced automatic load combination feature.
Engineers can now effortlessly create load combinations compliant with ASCE 7-10 (LRFD and WSD) and the previously supported Eurocode 0 and EN 13001 by simply assigning load categories (e.g., dead, live, wind, seismic) to individual loads. The software intelligently generates the required combinations, adhering to the specified standard’s load and safety factors. Furthermore, dynamic factors in predefined load cases can now be automatically calculated according to EN 13001.
This automation significantly expedites the verification process, minimizes the risk of manual errors, and ensures adherence to design codes, ultimately promoting more efficient and reliable structural analyses.
Parameter Search Functionality
Understanding the intricate relationships between parameters and their impact on verification calculations is often challenging. SDC Verifier 2024 R2 introduces a parameter search function to enhance transparency and streamline navigation within complex standards.
Users can now select any parameter within a check and initiate a search to identify all instances where that parameter is referenced within the standard’s formulas. This powerful capability enables engineers to trace specific parameters’ influence, assess potential modifications’ implications, and gain a deeper understanding of the underlying verification methodology.
Enhanced Panel Finder
Efficient and accurate panel recognition is crucial for analyzing complex geometries. SDC Verifier 2024 R2 introduces several enhancements to the Panel Finder tool, further refining its capabilities:
- Automatic plate splitting under specific conditions for improved accuracy in intricate geometries.
- Optimized recognition and grouping of curved and cylindrical plates for precise analysis of non-planar structures.
- User control over predefined stiffeners and girders selections for greater customization and adaptability.
These enhancements collectively contribute to a more robust and versatile Panel Finder, enabling engineers to effectively analyze and verify structures with complex geometries, ultimately leading to more reliable and optimized designs.
Additional Improvements and Future Outlook
Beyond the significant features, SDC Verifier 2024 R2 incorporates several usability improvements that enhance the overall verification workflow:
- Expanded Load Application in Simcenter 3D: Users can now apply various loads, including wind, snow, wave, buoyancy, tank, nodal force, and multi-selection nodal force loads directly within Simcenter 3D, streamlining the setup process.
- Enhanced Data Export: New commands facilitate geometry export, analysis models (for various solvers like ANSYS, Nastran, etc.), and Femap neutral files to different formats, improving interoperability and data exchange.
- Usability Refinements: The release includes several UI improvements, streamlined geometry copying, simplified handling of dynamic factors, and easier Femap model imports. Additionally, a “Fit” option in Views provides greater control over visualization.
- Bug Fixes: A series of bug fixes addresses issues related to material stress calculations, display unit system inconsistencies, weld reference points, and more, ensuring a more stable and reliable verification experience.
Licensing Model Evolution
In 2025, SDC Verifier will transition to a login-based licensing model. This shift eliminates the need for license file management, allowing users to access the software from any device with an internet connection. Additionally, a license manager will provide real-time visibility into license usage.
Future Developments
The SDC Verifier team is committed to continuous improvement. Upcoming releases will include:
- It enhanced weld strength checks for various weld types and configurations.
- Expanded cross-section libraries with support for non-symmetrical and specialized shapes in AISC and Eurocode member checks.
- S-N fatigue assessment capabilities for ASME BTH-1.
- Updates to ISO joint checks and the FKM guideline.
- Integration of additional DNV codes, Lloyd’s Register, and Common Structural Rules for plate buckling.
- Updates to API RP 2A and the inclusion of IIW fatigue design recommendations.
As the engineering landscape evolves, SDC Verifier remains at the forefront, providing engineers with a robust and adaptable solution for ensuring design compliance and structural integrity. With ongoing development and a commitment to incorporating user feedback, SDC Verifier is poised to remain an indispensable tool for engineers across various disciplines.
For engineers seeking to optimize their verification processes and stay ahead of the curve, the capabilities of SDC Verifier 2024 R2 are highly recommended. We encourage you to explore and experience the benefits of this advanced tool.