Cypecad Structural Software Course

Lesson 1 • Project Setup and Configuration

Teaches how to create a new project, set units, and configure global parameters. Correct setup prevents errors in later analysis stages.

Lesson 2 • Interface Layout and Navigation

Introduces the main workspace, toolbars, menus, and viewport controls. Proficiency here is prerequisite for all modeling tasks.

Lesson 3 • Overview of Cypecad Software

Covers Cypecad's purpose, capabilities, and position in structural engineering workflows. Establishes context for all subsequent software operations.

Lesson 1 • Material Library Management

Explains how to access, create, and edit materials in the Cypecad library. Accurate material data directly affects analysis reliability.

Lesson 2 • Steel Section Definition

Teaches selection and customization of standard and non-standard steel profiles. Connects section choice to structural efficiency and code compliance.

Lesson 3 • Concrete Section Definition

Covers rectangular, T-shaped, and custom concrete cross-sections. Proper section definition ensures accurate moment of inertia and capacity calculations.

Lesson 1 • Column Fixity and Boundary Conditions

Defines base fixity, intermediate restraints, and effective length factors for columns. Correct boundary conditions are essential for accurate buckling analysis.

Lesson 2 • Column Placement and Properties

Covers inserting columns by coordinate, grid, or import, and assigning section and material properties. Column geometry directly controls frame behavior.

Lesson 3 • Pile Caps and Raft Foundations

Extends foundation modeling to pile caps and mat slabs for high-load or poor-soil conditions. Students configure pile layouts and raft mesh parameters.

Lesson 4 • Foundation Reinforcement Design

Automates and manually adjusts rebar in footings and pile caps. Reinforcement outputs are verified against punching shear and bending demand.

Lesson 1 • Beam Insertion and Geometry

Covers drawing beams between nodes, setting offsets, and defining cantilevers. Beam geometry determines load transfer paths to columns.

Lesson 2 • Joist and Ribbed Slab Systems

Teaches configuration of one-way joist floors and ribbed slabs including void formers. These systems reduce self-weight while maintaining structural depth.

Lesson 3 • Multi-Story Floor Replication

Copies and adapts floor layouts across multiple stories efficiently. Story replication accelerates modeling while preserving structural continuity.

Lesson 4 • Openings, Stairs, and Voids

Inserts floor openings, stair wells, and ramps into the floor model. Openings alter load redistribution and must be correctly bounded.

Lesson 1 • Permanent and Variable Loads

Covers self-weight automation and manual input of dead and live loads on beams and slabs. Accurate load magnitudes are the foundation of reliable analysis.

Lesson 2 • Load Combinations and Envelopes

Builds ultimate and serviceability load combinations using code-based factors. Envelopes capture worst-case demand for design across all elements.

Lesson 3 • Special and Accidental Loads

Applies thermal, settlement, and accidental load cases to the model. These loads address exceptional conditions that govern specific design checks.

Lesson 4 • Wind Load Definition

Teaches manual and automated wind pressure input using exposure and terrain parameters. Wind loads are distributed to diaphragms and lateral frames.

Lesson 1 • Viewing Internal Force Diagrams

Displays bending moment, shear force, and axial force diagrams for beams and columns. Force diagrams are the primary basis for element design.

Lesson 2 • Support Reactions and Foundation Loads

Reads column base reactions and transfers them to foundation design. Reaction accuracy depends on correct boundary condition and load input.

Lesson 3 • Running the Structural Analysis

Covers pre-analysis checks, solver settings, and launching the calculation engine. Correct solver configuration prevents convergence errors and invalid results.

Lesson 4 • Diagnosing and Correcting Model Errors

Identifies common analysis errors such as instabilities, disconnected nodes, and overloaded elements. Systematic diagnosis reduces iteration time significantly.

Lesson 1 • Beam Flexural and Shear Design

Automates longitudinal and transverse reinforcement design for beams under combined bending and shear. Results are reviewed and adjusted to meet detailing requirements.

Lesson 2 • Column Interaction and Biaxial Design

Designs columns under combined axial load and biaxial bending using interaction diagrams. Slenderness effects are incorporated for tall or slender columns.

Lesson 3 • Slab Reinforcement Design

Produces top and bottom reinforcement maps for solid and ribbed slabs. Punching shear at column heads is checked and reinforced as needed.

Lesson 4 • Reinforcement Schedule Generation

Exports bar bending schedules and quantity takeoffs directly from the design model. Schedules link design intent to fabrication and procurement.

Lesson 1 • Structural Drawing Production

Generates plan, elevation, and section drawings with annotations directly from the model. Drawing quality and completeness determine construction accuracy.

Lesson 2 • File Export and Interoperability

Exports models and drawings to DXF, IFC, and other exchange formats for collaboration. Interoperability ensures Cypecad data integrates with broader project workflows.

Lesson 3 • Quantity Takeoff and Cost Estimation

Extracts material quantities for concrete, steel, and reinforcement from the model. Quantities feed cost estimation and procurement planning.

Lesson 4 • Calculation Report Generation

Produces structured calculation reports covering loads, analysis, and design for each element. Reports serve as the primary technical record for review and approval.