User Manual

APF WoodJoint
vers. 3
User Manual – APFWoodJoint

Index
USER INTERFACE...................................................................................................................................................3
RIBBON MENU.........................................................................................................................................................5
Data............................................................................................................................................................................5
Computations.....................................................................................................................................................7
Tools...........................................................................................................................................................................8
Information.........................................................................................................................................................10
NAVIGATION PANEL............................................................................................................................................11
Current Joint........................................................................................................................................................11
Drawing..................................................................................................................................................................11
TOOL PANNEL........................................................................................................................................................12
Structure...............................................................................................................................................................12
Connection..........................................................................................................................................................13
Actions....................................................................................................................................................................13
DIALOG WINDOW...............................................................................................................................................15
Materials................................................................................................................................................................15
Project Rules......................................................................................................................................................16
Partial Factors for Material.......................................................................................................................17
Factor for duration load.............................................................................................................................18
Computation settings.................................................................................................................................19
Unit of mesaurement.................................................................................................................................20
Styles for the calculation report...........................................................................................................21
Settings and global resources common to all applications............................................21

2
User Manual – APFWoodJoint

USER INTERFACE
The following window will appear when starting up/powering the software

Main window of WoodJoint

It is divided into interactive working areas.

The central area is dedicated to the design of the joint, the external loads, the loads on the
elements and connection. In the top of this area you can select the design situations and the
design actions which allows you to

• select All design situations in which the drawing will represent the data related to all the
situations, you will see the maximum values of the applied loads.

• select only one row: specifc situation and all actions, the design will contain just the data
related to the situation referred, the maximum values will be highlighted and the stress
on the elements will be represented. On the results panel will be displayed only partial
information related to the selected situation.

• select only one row: specifc situation and specifc action among the selected situation,
the design will contain the action on the joint, the stress on it and checks.

By using this two listbox you can both make global verifcation and local verifcation of the joint
considering, for example all the single actions related to a specifca situation. By right-clicking in
this area you can access to some tools for the drawing exportation.

3
User Manual – APFWoodJoint

The tool panel allows you to enter and modify data for the joint like dimensions or actions.
Modifcations are instantly represented on the design and if the calculation settings are
activated the sums will be automatically updated and represented in the table.

The results panel contains a summary of the verifcations thus allowing you to check that all the
project requirements have been met. The values shown in this section represent the Rd/Ed
report, in other words the project resistance/project action. They represent all partial
coeffcients made to the resistances and must therefore have a uniform value. You can then
immediately see if the value is excessive (>1.0) or lacking (<1.0).

The ribbon menu allows you to open and save your project and you will be able to access the
windows relative to the structural data (coeffcients, materialss…).

The status bar contains summary information about the opened fle like verifcation status, the
overall working time etc... by left clicking on the desired section.

4
User Manual – APFWoodJoint

RIBBON MENU

Data
Allows you to enter and modify data for the project.

Ribbon menu with Data functions in WoodJoint

Gives you access to the list of materials.

Manages standard technical rules that have to be applied. The user must
check the National Standard or National Eurocodes Annexes.

Set the coeffcient values for safety factors for actions, useful for generating
project situations and load combinations.

Sets the coeffcient values for the duration of loads.

Creates the new BPA joint (Base anchor plate) and add it to the fle.

Creates the new CBB joint (Column base brackets) and add it to the fle.

Creates the new CBD joint (Column base dowel) and add it to the fle.

5
User Manual – APFWoodJoint

Creates the new BPE joint (Bearing point end) and add it to the fle.

Creates the new BPM joint (Bearing point middle) and add it to the fle.

Creates the new HSB joint (Hidden steel bracket) and add it to the fle.

Creates the new NST joint (Front notched joint with single tooth) and add
it to the fle.

Creates the new SST joint (Connection with a steel stirrup strap) and add it
to the fle.

Creates the new GPD joint (Gusset plate diagonals) and add it to the fle.

Creates the new GPP node (Gusset plate peak) and add it to the fle.

Creates the new GPS joint (Gusset plate splice) and add it to the fle.

Creates the new GPW joint (Gusset plate web) and add it to the fle.

Creates the new SHC joint (Shera connection) and add it to the fle.

Copies from the Clipboard data related to the structural joints, as

geometry, materials properties and stress, to permit the import from other
softwares.

6
User Manual – APFWoodJoint

Computations
Contains commands that enable you to perform the analysis and view the results of WoodJoint.

Ribbon menu with Computations functions in WoodJoint

Executes the solver portion of the software. If the lock is pressed, the
program performs the calculation every time you make a change to the
model.

Allows you to change the sum/calculation settings.

Checks the model for errors, and shows warnings before the execution.

Represents the connection without more information

Represents the node with dimensions

Acrivates the view of the actions and checks on the node

Enables you to choose which information or diagrams to show on the

screen

Enables you to save the image currently shown on the screen. Lets you
type in the flename and choose the directory the picture should be saved
in.

7
User Manual – APFWoodJoint

Enables you to save the drawing currently shown on the screen. Lets you
type in the flename and choose the directory the drawing should be
saved in.

Enables you to save the report currently shown on the screen. Lets you
type in the flename and choose the directory the fle should be saved in.

Tools
Provides access to a set of tools to utilize and personalize the software.

Ribbon menu with Tools functions of WoodJoint

Interrupts the current command or command procedure.

Enables you to use the mouse to specify a zooming

region, the portion you select will be enlarged.

Zooms to display the entire drawing.

Enables you to move your model on the plane of the

screen, in any direction.

Enables you to set the options for the defection diagram.

The analysis must be performed before selecting this
command. You can set the scale factor (used as a
multiplier in the drawing), update the drawing, and save
it.

Enables you to set the options for the results report. The
analysis must be performed before selecting this
command. You can set the font size, font family, update

8
User Manual – APFWoodJoint

the report, and save it.

Allows you to set the format, precision and unit of

measurement to be used in displaying coordinates and
other physical quantities.

Enables you to set the options for the results report.

Imports or exports the current local settings (units,

docstyles, design parameters) to or from the global
database shared between applications.

Allows you to change the language of the user interface.

Enables you to change or reset the look of the user

interface.

Changes the graphics of the user interface.

9
User Manual – APFWoodJoint

Information
Contains commands that enable you to obtain help for the program and show the copyright
and registration information about your software.

Ribbon menu with Information functions of WoodJoint

To continue to use your product, you need to activate your software. Opens
an Activation Wizard that gives you instructions on how to proceed. Shows
the licensing information, and the copyright information.

Opens the user guide in a web browser or pdf document.

Copyright information, product information and version number of the

program is displayed.

10
User Manual – APFWoodJoint

NAVIGATION PANEL

Current Joint
Once you have selected the node from the ribbon menu Data it is automatically added to the
project. You can choose the different connection elements using the menu Current Joint and
select the connection which you want to set or change.

The navigation tool for the selection of different Joint

Drawing
Enables you to view the joint and check the correctness of the information. If you activate Draw
in the Computation ribbon menu it is possible to visualize the dimension, the actions and the
summary checks.

You can activate the schematic drawings or the 3D view. Many options are available: see
through view, corners, matt, transparent or texture. For the frst option click on Drawing, for the
second one click Design 3D.

11
User Manual – APFWoodJoint

TOOL PANNEL
Contains commands that enable you to modify the geometry and mechanical properties of the
joint.

Each joint has its own functional, geometrical and mechanical properties, so that the
subsections of the pannels are related to the connection in use.

Structure

The tool pannel and the sub-sections of the joint in use.

It enables you to define all the geometrical and structural data. As the connections have their
own functional properties, those pannels vary to a selected connection. You can defne the
geometrical and mechanical characteristics of the joint.

12
User Manual – APFWoodJoint

Connection

The Connection pannel and the subsection for the defnition of the connectors

It enables you to defne the geometrical and mechanical data of the fasteners. As the
connections have their own functional properties, those pannels vary to a selected connection.
The pannel allows you to defne the position of the fateners and their properties (screws, bolts...)

Actions

The Loads pannel and subsection for the defnition of the loads on the joint

The frst section allows to defne the different design situation of the project and particularly
defne the name of the situation, the type of load (permanent, transitional, exceptional or
seismic), the partial factors and the duration class of the loads.

13
User Manual – APFWoodJoint

The second section allows to defne the actions related to the design situation of the project
selected. For each situation you can defne many actions that are then calculated as an
envelope.

As the connections have all different functional, geometrical and mechanical properties, those
pannels vary in relation to the joint selected.

14
User Manual – APFWoodJoint

DIALOG WINDOW

Materials
This section is dedicated to the properties of the structural material. As the connections have
their own functional, geometrical, mechanical characteristics, this window varies to the selected
connection.

The window to defne the materials of the joint

The Service Class box indicates the service class of the joint. This value consequently affects all
the further verifcations.

In the Wood tab you can defne the kind of wood desired as structural material for the structure.
Each material is identifed by an increasing index and by name. The chosen materials can be
used to create the joint. The list to choose from must contain at least a material element
otherwise the calculations and verifcations will not be able to be carried out. Mechanical
properties (fm,k,fm,k, E0,mean, ...) can be defned manually or by selecting the lightbulb icon
and copying values defned by technical legislations that have preset resistances.

The Steel tab allows you to carry out the same operations on the connection plates and modify
the single mechanical properties. Using the lightbulb icon you can copy values defned by
technical legislations that have preset resistances.

The Fasteners tab defnes the same operations on the fastners (screws, nails, bolts), modifying
the single mechanical properties. Using the lightbulb icon you can copy values defned by
technical legislations that have preset resistances.

15
User Manual – APFWoodJoint

Project Rules
This section is dedicated to the defnition of national parametres which automatically apply
eurocodes to the structure according to member state legislations.

The parameter value km [EN1995-1-1 6.1.6 6.2.3 6.2.4 6.3.2), which has an effect of fexion,
compression and traction, stability verifcations, can be modifed.

The parameter value kcr [EN1995-1-1 6.1.7] serves as a value for wood shear.

Note that this parameter must take into account the characteristics of timber hardwood and
glulam [EN 338], [EN 14080].

16
User Manual – APFWoodJoint

Partial Factors for Material

This panel lists partial security factors which will be taken into account during verifcations. The
chart [EN1995-1-1 chart 2.3] refers to partial coeffcient values regarding security in standard
procedures as well as in the event of fre. The values are set to recommended structural
Eurocode; they are to be set to any Technical National Annex codes relevant to the country of
the future structure. The program will only take into account the new values from the time that
they are changed. Any prior verifcations will not be altered.

The windows defnes the partial factors for materials

17
User Manual – APFWoodJoint

Factor for duration load

This panel lists values relative to resistance and deformability that will be used in verifcations
[EN1995-1-1 Tabella 3.1 e Tabella 3.2]. The values are set to recommended structural Eurocode;
they are to be set to any Technical National Annex codes relevant to the country of the future
structure.

The program will only take into account the new values from the time that they are changed.
Any prior verifcations will not be altered.

The window showing the modifcation factors of load

18
User Manual – APFWoodJoint

Computation settings
This panel contains the options used by the software for calculations and verifcations

The threshold Value contains:

Tolerance

used to round up numerical values

Threshold values

used to round up the value to nought, in case the effect of a dimension is negligible
Upper limits

used to defne the maximum numerical value of any size

The verifcation section has a series of options for each verifcation that the program executes.
Some of these verifcations can be omitted, for example when certain details are not inherent to
downsizing the dimensions of the calculation report or when these calculations have been
followed up in another situation.

The Rd design resistance and the Ed design action ratio can also be modifed, thus obtaining
the result of a verifcation.

All verifcations are carried out by partial coeffcient method, thus verifying the security by
formal equation Rd/Ed≥1.0

The program can verify distinct permanent conditions (standard use), exceptional (fre) or
seismic and that the ratio between these values is greater than the unity.

19
User Manual – APFWoodJoint

Unit of mesaurement
In this panel you can set the units of measurement that you desire to use in the software .

They are divided into categories such as Actions, Material, Structure, etcs… If a variable does not
FIT into a specifc category, the General sheet values will be used. The settings can be changed
at any moment and these will immediately affect the user interface and any calculations made
from then on. For each value you can change:

● its units of measurement

● rounding off for printed numerical values

● Amount of decimals for printed numerical values, for units of measurement or you can
omit the decimals all together

● Decide how many decimals to take into account

20
User Manual – APFWoodJoint

Styles for the calculation report

In this panel you can choose the styles to use in the calculation report of the software.

All elements and their categories can be personalized such as titles, paragraphs, tables, lists,
images. The interface is intuitive so does not require particular explanations.

Settings and global resources common to all applications

This panel is used as a base for importation and exportation of current local settings (unit of
measurement, document styles, project parametres) from the global database common to all
applications. The following settings can be modifed:

● table containing units of measurements

● document styles

● Eurocode parametres (codes defned by the local legislations)

This data is saved and shared with all the programmes so that if a software is already running or
the fles are already saved they will not be affected by modifcations.

21
User Manual – APFWoodJoint

The Import button copies the global database settings into the running program and only for a
worksheet that is currently open (unit of measurement, document styles, project parametres).

Once you have set parametres you can Export global database settings to any running program
so that they all share common units of measurements, styles and Eurocodes.

22
User Manual – APFWoodJoint

Reset brings all values back to their original (recommended and default) setting.

Modifed settings will be saved on running programs and any changes or resets will only be
taken into consideration if done before opening a software, and only after OK confrmation.

To import values from one software to another the Import function can be used.

23