IDEA StatiCa

IDEA StatiCa is an industry-leading software solution for architect and structure designers that can help them to check the integrity and features of steel connections, joint integrity, anchoring, footing, and connection in their modern steel or concrete topologies.



Built from the ground up to be reliable, easy to use, and easily integrated into your work environment, IDEA Statica represents an important analysis tool that can help you quickly test the integrity of your design and provide a complete report with drawings and clear pass/fail scores.

This engineering tool is focused on realistic physics calculation, stress analytics, the behavior of prestressed bolts and plastic behavior of the welds, strain calculation for all types of connections and joints (including plates, elements, bolts, and welds), linear analysis of stability, the discovery of critical loads, determining of rotational and axial joint stiffness, joint characteristics, seismicity checks and much more.



Steel design

• A database of 10,000+ pre-designed 2D/3D connections, footings, CHS and HSS connections, steel-to-timber, and other connections
• The ability to model and design any bolted and welded connection quickly and safely
• Comprehensive AISC, including advanced analyses such as buckling, stiffness analysis, design resistance, and seismic
• Fully customizable reports with equations and pictures that help prove and sell your work

Concrete design

• Clear pass/fail results for any geometry
• Ready-made templates, import from DXF
• ULS checks – Strength of concrete and reinforcement, anchoring
• SLS checks – Crack width checks, Stress limitation checks
• Nonlinear deflections

This and much more is accessible from a streamlined interface that is regularly evolved to adapt to the needs of modern architecture, material design, and new construction techniques.

For easy integration in your regular workflow, developers of IDEA StatiCa have worked tirelessly to ensure complete compatibility with all the most popular workshop drawing apps and manufacturing process designs created in apps such as Robot, Revit, MIDAS Civil + Gen, STAAD.Pro, SAP 2000, Scia Engineer, RFEM, RSTAB, AxisVM, ConSteel, and others.

Even though of the professional nature of this app, the developers of this program have enabled users from all around the world access to the FREE 14-day Trial. To gain access to this one-PC trial license, all you need is to complete an online form and wait for personal license delivery via email.



Features and Highlights

• Comprehensive stress and strain analysis for all types of connections and joints.
• Analysis of stability of connection elements.
• Discover critical loads and test your designs for seismicity checks.
• Streamlined interface, fast calculation, and in-depth visual reportings.
• Integration with modern workshop drawing apps.
• Optimized for Windows 7/8/10/11.
• Availed for FREE via a 14-day Trial.

Installation and Use

The full client for the app comes in an installation that is just over 300 MB in size, enabling everyone to quickly download it and deploy it on their work PC.

It is important to note that even the holders of the FREE 14-day trial license gain access to the full version of the app, with all of its tools and services unlocked and ready for use.



IDEA STatiCa developers recommend that this app can be used on all Windows 7/8/10 PCs that have at least Pentium IV CPU, 2GB of RAM, and 1GB of free space on local storage.

However, to streamline and quicken the calculations performed by this app, it is highly recommended to give it as capable hardware as you can, including modern multi-threaded CPU and 8GB (or more) of system RAM.

The visual design of the app’s user interface is unobtrusive and promotes easy discovery of all the most important and commonly used tools. The majority of the screen is taken by the “Main” tab that showcases your models and the calculated forces that affect it. On the sides of that tab, you can access tabs such as Navigate, Details, Data, and Summary listings.

Key Features

Connection Design: The program excels in connection design, enabling the creation and analysis of any joint type. It provides accurate models for both simple and complex connections.

Load Application and Distribution: It supports multiple load cases and combinations, allowing for comprehensive stress, deformation, and buckling analyses.

International Code Support: Engineers can work with various design codes, including Eurocode, AISC, and AS codes.

Prestressed Concrete Analysis: This feature allows for the design of prestressed and post-tensioned concrete elements, ensuring compliance with modern standards.

Report Generation: Automatic generation of detailed reports on structural analysis and design for submission to regulatory authorities.

Cloud and BIM Integration: It integrates seamlessly with Building Information Modeling (BIM) software such as Revit and Tekla Structures, improving workflows.

Customizable Templates: Engineers can create templates and libraries of standard designs to enhance productivity for repetitive tasks.

User Collaboration: Features for sharing projects, models, and reports between team members ensure smooth project coordination.

User Interface

It has a clean and user-friendly interface, making it easy for engineers to navigate through its various tools and features. The software opens with a project dashboard where users can manage different projects and access recent files.



The workspace is intuitive, with clear tabs for input parameters, load applications, analysis options, and design results.

The design tools are displayed on the side panels, and results are visualized in the main area, making it simple to track progress and adjust input variables. The graphics engine in IDEA StatiCa is robust, allowing for 3D visualizations of connections, stress distributions, and deformations. The visual feedback helps engineers identify potential issues in the design early on.

Installation and Setup

The software is easy to install, with a straightforward download and installation process that takes only a few minutes. The system requirements are modest, but a high-performance machine with a strong graphics card is recommended for handling complex models efficiently.

• Download the installer from the official website or FileHorse.
• Follow the step-by-step guide to complete the installation.
• Activate the software using the provided license key.
• Optionally, integrate it with BIM platforms or other structural analysis software.

Once installed, the setup allows users to configure their working environment according to their specific project needs. Customizations include setting the preferred code standards, adjusting graphical preferences, and linking external software for enhanced workflows.

How to Use

Create or Import a Model: Start by creating a new project or importing a model from BIM software such as Revit or Tekla. Define the structural components, such as beams, columns, and connections.

Define Load Cases and Combinations: Specify load cases, including permanent, variable, and accidental loads. Load combinations can also be defined in accordance with applicable design codes.

Analyze the Structure: Run the analysis to determine stress distributions, deflections, and stability. The results are displayed visually in 3D with color-coded stress regions.

Optimize the Design: Modify the structure’s dimensions or materials based on the analysis results to optimize performance and cost-efficiency.

Generate Reports: After finalizing the design, generate comprehensive reports detailing the analysis, design calculations, and code compliance.

FAQ

Can IDEA StatiCa handle connections with multiple materials?
Yes, it supports connections in steel, concrete, and composite structures, allowing engineers to design complex joints with multiple materials.

Is it possible to integrate IDEA StatiCa with Revit or Tekla Structures?
Absolutely. It integrates seamlessly with popular BIM software like Revit and Tekla Structures, enhancing design workflows.

Does IDEA StatiCa support seismic analysis?
While this software focuses primarily on connection and component analysis, it can handle seismic load cases and combinations for steel and concrete structures.

What codes does IDEA StatiCa support?
It supports multiple international codes, including Eurocode, AISC, and others, making it adaptable for global engineering projects.

How is the learning curve for new users?
While it is designed to be intuitive, it has many advanced features that might take time to master. However, the software provides excellent tutorials and support resources.

Pricing

It offers subscription-based pricing, which varies depending on the modules selected.

Steel
Structural design of steel connections and joints. Member stability and buckling.

Concrete
Structural design of RC walls, beams, sections and discontinuity regions.

Complete
Enjoy unrivaled access to the complete Steel and Concrete packages.

The trial license of IDEA StatiCa runs for 14 days, including:

• Full functionality, including BIM links
• All products - Steel & Concrete & Prestressing
• Technical support
• Premium content
• Access to the User Portal
• Only limitation – watermark on reports

What is the difference between Complete and Enterprise?

Complete plan contains all IDEA StatiCa applications - Connection, Detail, Checkbot, RCS, Beam, and Member.

Enterprise plan is the ultimate package for Enterprise users, providing everything IDEA StatiCa has available (IDEA StatiCa Complete) with the following extra benefits:

• Worldwide usage of the license
• Unlimited number of license users
• Priority support
• Multi-year contract
• API support and robot-based workflows
• Training and Campus certificates

System Requirements

• Operating System: Windows 11 or Windows 10 (64-bit)
• Processor: Intel i5 or higher
• Memory: 8 GB RAM (16 GB recommended)
• Graphics: Dedicated graphics card with OpenGL 4.0 support
• Storage: 5 GB free disk space

PROS

• Excellent connection design capabilities
• Seamless integration with BIM software
• Supports multiple international design codes
• User-friendly interface
• Powerful reporting features

CONS

• Relatively expensive for smaller firms
• Steeper learning curve for complex projects
• Limited seismic analysis tools

Conclusion

It stands out as a versatile and powerful structural analysis and design tool, particularly for engineers focused on connections, joints, and prestressed concrete. Its broad support for international codes and seamless BIM integration makes it an essential asset in the structural engineering toolkit.

Although the learning curve may be challenging for beginners, the rich feature set and robust performance justify its investment for firms engaged in complex structural projects.