FAQ's
•
General
Q1: Is
DIACalc® compatible with Microsoft Windows
10?
A1: Yes. DIACalc® is
fully compatible with all versions of Microsoft Windows since XP (32
and 64 bits).
Q2: Does the use of
the software require an internet connection?
A2: Only for the license request,
when installing the software.
Q3: Is it required
to turn off the antivirus during the installation of DIACalc®?
A3: Not always, depends on the
antivirus. However, it is always recommended to add DIACalc® to
the antivirus white list.
Q4: Is it possible
to use 1 software license for more than 1 user?
A4: Yes, it is possible. However,
the software must be installed only on one
computer.
•
Academic licenses
Q1: What are the
Academic Licenses limitations?
A1: An Academic
License has the following limitations:
1) Dramix
database is not available (SFRC is defined by fR,k
values only);
2) Output
results cannot be printed;
3) Only basic
crack control results are presented (intermediate values are not
accessible).
•
Software Upgrades
Q1: What are the
costs of software upgrades for the purchased version of
DIACalc®?
A1: Software upgrades will be
available on the website without any additional costs for the
purchased version of DIACalc®. For example, if version
v3.2 was purchased, all released versions v3.x can be downloaded for
free from the website - this is not valid for new major versions,
e.g. v4.x, v5.x, etc.
Q2: What are the
costs of software upgrades for new major versions of
DIACalc®?
A2: Software upgrades can be
purchased for new major versions of DIACalc® - upgrade
prices will be provided on request (taking into consideration the
previously purchased version).
•
Technical
Support
Q1: What
does Technical Support include?
A1: Technical support is meant
to answer questions related to the use of the software. It is
not applicable for solving engineering problems, theoretical
questions or project situations.
Q2: What are the
costs of Technical Support?
A2: Technical support will be
available without any costs for the period of 90 days from the date
of purchase of a new license. Thereafter, customers without a
Maintenance Agreement will receive limited and non-priority
support.
• Design
Q1: What kind
of structures can be calculated with DIACalc®?
A1: DIACalc was developed for
analysis and design of concrete structures, including the following
possible structural combinations:
1) Plain
concrete structures;
2) Concrete
structures reinforced with conventional rebars;
3) Concrete
structures reinforced with steel fibres;
4) Concrete
structures with combined reinforcement (rebars + steel
fibres).
Q2: What kind of
verifications can be performed using DIACalc®?
A2:
DIACalc®
is an integrated software, intended to perform complete engineering
analysis regarding the following verifications (ULS and SLS):
1) Bending (with
or without axial force);
2)
Shear;
3) Punching
shear;
4) Crack
control.
Q3: What are the
standards DIACalc® was
developed in accordance with?
A3:
DIACalc® was
developed in accordance with Eurocode 2 and the German standard
DAfStb Stahlfaserbeton.
Q4: Is it possible
to calculate internal forces using DIACalc®?
A4: Internal forces are input values
that need to be calculated outside DIACalc®, depending on
the type of structure that is being analysed (tunnels,
canals, earth retaining walls, slopes, pavements,
etc).
However, DIACalc® can
be used to evaluate internal forces for slabs on ground, using a
classical Beam on Elastic Foundation model, based on the Winkler
solution (single load analysis, applied at the center of the
slab).
•
Steel fibre reinforced concrete
(SFRC)
Q1: Is it possible
to calculate SFRC solutions combined with conventional steel rebars?
A1: Yes. In fact, combined solutions
are the most interesting in many cases from a technical and economic
point of view.
Q2: Is it possible
to calculate shrinkage using DIACalc®?
A2: Yes, it is possible. However, as
the section is considered to be in a pure tension state, rebars are
required on top and bottom of the concrete section.
Q3: Is it possible
to calculate SFRC solutions without conventional steel rebars?
A3: Yes, but not always. It is very
important to understand the SFRC behaviour, due to specific
limitations that must be taken into consideration.
Q4: Is it possible
to calculate synthetic fibre reinforced concrete using
DIACalc®?
A4: Not with DIACalc®.
Steel fibres only.
Q5: Is it possible
to use any type of steel fibres in
DIACalc®?
A5: Yes. Steel fibres can be defined
using residual flexural tensile strength (fR,1k …
fR,4k) as input values, which allows the user to
calculate SFRC solutions with any kind of steel fibre.
Q6: Who provided
the Dramix® database
values included in DIACalc®?
A6: The Dramix®
database values were provided by Bekaert. These values rely on
results obtained from material characterisation through empirical
testing.
Q7: Is it necessary
to use a stronger concrete for SFRC structures?
A7: The concrete class must be in
accordance with the fibre characteristics, in order to achieve an
adequate performance of the solution. As an example, 5D fibres
require a good concrete resistance.
Q8: Is it sufficient to use a stronger
concrete for SFRC structures?
A8:
No. An adequate concrete mix specification is
crucial.
Q9: Is it possible
to take the fibre orientation into consideration in
DIACalc®?
A9: Yes. A specific parameter is
available in the software to define the fibre orientation, according
to DAfStb Stahlfaserbeton.