VisualAnalysis loosely supports the IBC, NBC, and ASCE 7 building codes. The IBC and NBC reference several design specifications and VisualAnalysis Designs according to the referenced specifications. Load combinations can be automatically generated in VisualAnalysis based on the various building codes.

Loads

While VisualAnalysis does not create loads automatically, there are some features for calculating ASCE 7 dead loads, live loads, and wind load, based on the user input. The user inevitably decides how and where loads are applied.

Load Combinations

VisualAnalysis has several Building Code Combinations that are included in the program. When selected these combinations are automatically maintained as loads are added or removed to service load cases. The building code combinations can be customized by hiding existing code combinations or adding custom combinations. There are a number of Project Settings that will affect load combinations and some design checks that are specific to the building code, but they are only used for the load combinations. Seismic provisions in the project manager are only used for generating load combinations.

Material Design

VisualAnalysis supports AISC & CSA Steel Design, ACI & CSA Concrete Design, NDS Wood Design, ADM Aluminum Design and AISI Cold-Formed Steel Design. The specific design specifications are listed in those sections.

Deflection Checks

VisualAnlysis uses Deflection-Checks load combinations defined by the IBC and the user specifies actual deflection-limits. Custom deflection load combinations can also be created.