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October 2005 

Two modules are available for mobile load analysis, esas.02 - mobile loads on frames and surfaces and esas.03 - advanced mobile loads on frames and surfaces.

These two modules offer a state-of-the-art solution for the calculation of structures subjected to mobile loads (bridge design, crane tracks, etc.).
These modules cover the complete design process used in the present bridge engineering standards, including a great variety of user-defined load systems, envelope results, results in selected points, etc.

The module generates influence lines / areas for a mobile load that move along a given track. The direction and intensity of the moving unit load can be altered. Further, defined load-systems can be positioned on the calculated influence lines. Critical positions are then found for these systems. This is known as the utilisation of influence lines. It is possible to automatically calculate the envelope of the most unfavourable effects. Various types of load-systems allow for wider calculation possibilities.

The first step in the “mobile load analysis” is the definition of the track along which the mobile load moves. The track is defined graphically.

In the second step the load system has to be defined. Some additional options can be defined:

• a limited running length on the track,
• input of a multiplication coefficient for the results and for all results except deformations respectively (impact coefficient).

The envelope results are stored in a series of load cases containing the maximum and minimum values of the components of the internal forces and displacements.

The envelope result can be combined with other load cases to find the final extreme forces and displacements. These combinations are used for reinforcement design or for stress and stability check of steel structures.

Two prominent Swiss steel constructors, both dedicated SCIA software users, have recently distinguished themselves by winning some prestigious prices. It regards the steel company Zwahlen & Mayr that was honoured for the museum "Paul Klee Centre" with the Swiss price for steel structures "Prix Acier 2005", and the second company is Mauchle, that received the ‘European Price for Steel Structures 2005’ with the office building "La Ferriera".

The Swiss Steel Structure Price is granted every two years for outstanding buildings, in which steel is used as a means of architectural expression. Goal is the promotion of Swiss steel structure competence and the sensitisation of technical potential and architectural expression strength of steel structures.

After evaluation by a specialized jury, four projects were nominated for the Swiss steel structure price "Prix Acier 2005". One of the nominees was the ‚Paul Klee Centre’ in Bern (CH).

Owner: Maurice E. and Martha Mueller Foundation, Bern
Architect: Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Paris
Steel structure: Zwahlen & Mayr SA, Aigle

The ‚Paul Klee centre’ in Bern is a real work of art - a tribute, both to the poetic ease of the paintings of Paul Klee and to the hill chains of the Pre-Alps of Bern. The idea of the architect, Mr. Renzo Piano, was to build an extension to the landscape. It really looks as if the building is rising out of the meadow. For the three-way wave were needed 1'200 tons of steel and 40 km of hand-welded seams: an extraordinary achievement of professional competence in the steel construction business. The complex but at the same time clearly readable stylistic form finds its correspondence in the construction, which points out the potential of steel structures for individual and complex frames with large spans. Under the enormous arches is situated the area for active observation of art.