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SkyCiv Load Generator

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Introduction to SkyCiv Load Generator

Getting Started

The SkyCiv Load Generator offers an easy, step-by-step wind, snow, and seismic load calculations that you can use to design your structure. No need to download and install the software – simply access it using your favorite browser, anytime and anywhere as long as you have an internet connection.

Our Load Generator can be used in five (5) ways:

  1. Free Wind, Snow, and Seismic Load Calculator
  2. Standalone Wind, Snow, and Seismic Load Calculator
  3. Mobile Wind and Snow Load Generator
  4. Wind and Snow Load Calculator integrated into SkyCiv S3D
  5. SkyCiv API

Wind, Snow, and Seismic Load Generator

The wind and snow load calculation currently support the following reference codes:

  • ASCE 7;
  • ASCE 7-22 (wind only)NEW!;
  • AS/NZS 1170 (2021 version for Wind);
  • NBCC 2015;
  • NBCC 2020(wind and seismic)NEW!;
  • EN 1991; and
  • IS 875 (Wind only)
  • NSCP 2015 (Wind only)
  • CTE DB SE-AE (Spain)
  • CFE Viento (Mexico)

In addtion, SkyCiv Load Generator introduces seismic load:

  • ASCE 7-16
  • NZS 1170.5
  • NSCP 2015
  • NBCC 2020NEW!

The available structure types for wind and/or snow (if applicable) loads are the following:

  • Building
  • Freestanding wall (ASCE 7)
  • Signboards (ASCE 7, EN 1991)
  • Pole (EN 1991) 
  • Solar Panels (ASCE 7, AS/NZS 1170)
  • Rooftop Equipment (ASCE 7-16/7-22)
  • Open Signs/Frames (ASCE 7-16/7-22)NEW!
  • Tanks/Silos/Circular Bins (ASCE 7-16/7-22)NEW!

In addition, the roof profiles available for building structures are as follows:

  • Gable/Duopitch
  • Hip
  • Monoslope/Monopitch
  • Troughed
  • Pitched

For EN 1991, the following countries are supported for the design wind speed and wind pressure calculations and select countries for snow load calculations:

  • Belgium (wind and snow)
  • Czech Republic
  • Finland
  • France and French territories (wind and snow)
  • Germany (wind and snow)
  • Greece
  • Ireland (wind and snow)
  • Italy
  • Luxembourg(wind and snow)
  • The Netherlands(wind and snow)
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • San Marino
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • United Kingdom (wind and snow)

Moreover, the detailed wind and snow load calculation report is available for all codes while detailed seismic calculation is also available for ASCE 7-16.

For the Free Load Calculator, you can generate the design wind pressures up to 3 times per day, and is limited only to Gable roof profile. The snow and seismic loads, and detailed reporting are also NOT included in the free tool.

On the other hand, the upgraded versions, or the other three (3) versions of Wind, Snow, and Seismic Load Generator, can only be accessed using a Professional account along with all the full capabilities of SkyCiv modules. The standalone load generator version can also be purchased thru this link.

Using the Load Generator Module

Standalone – Legacy

Using the load generator module is pretty straightforward. The input procedure should start in order from defining the Project Details (optional), Site Data, and the Building Data tab. For each tab, you need to put the parameter values from top to bottom. Each parameter is defined upon hovering the cursor over the info button beside the title. An error alert will show if the values on the input field are invalid upon going to the next tab. The Standalone Version (complete features) is available only to Professional Account users and users who purchased the standalone Load Generator Module only thru this link.

Load Generator site tab
Screenshot of Site Tab input (standalone)

Load Generator wind, snow, seismic data for site
Screenshot of site data for wind, snow, and seismic load calculation.
Building data with wind parameters
Screenshot of Building Data input and Wind Parameters in Building Tab (standalone)

Load Generator snow and seismic parameters
Screenshot of Snow and Seismic Parameters in Building Tab (standalone)

Load Generator wind results
Screenshot of Wind Results (standalone)
Load Generator snow results
Screenshot of Snow Results (standalone)

Load Generator seismic results
Screenshot of Seismic Results (standalone)

Standalone – Latest Version

In June 2023, we’ve pushed a new UI version for Professional and standalone users to try. This version will be the base version and will be updated subsequently. The previous version can still be used and saved files can be imported in the new version. Once the new UI is loaded and the design code and unit system is selected, the walkthru will start to show how to use the new Load Generator:

Load Generator walk thru

Screenshot of Load Generator Walkthru

ASCE 7-22 wind load menu

Screenshot of Load Generator Interface

ASCE 7-16 wind data

Screenshot of Load Generator Site Data Input

ASCE 7 structure input paratemers for building

Screenshot of Load Generator Structure Data Input

ASCE 7 design wind input for all directions

Screenshot of Load Generator Wind Parameters Input

Elevation Data from Google Maps for upwind and downwind direction

Screenshot of Load Generator Snow Parameters Input

Load Generator Seismic Parameters

Screenshot of Load Generator Seismic Parameters Input

ASCE 7 Wind Building Results MWFRS

Screenshot of Load Generator Wind Results

Load Generator Snow Results

Screenshot of Load Generator Snow Results

Load Generator Seismic Results

Screenshot of Load Generator Seismic Results

Mobile Version

SkyCiv Load Generator has a mobile version inside the SkyCiv Mobile App. Using the app, a user can check the site wind speeds and ground snow loads depending on the country of the location input.

It currently supports the following countries and codes:

  • ASCE 7 for USA;
  • AS/NZS 1170 (2021 version for Wind) – for Australia and New Zealand;
  • NBCC 2015 – for Canada;
  • IS 875 (Wind only) – for India
  • NSCP 2015 (Wind only) – for Philippines
  • CTE DB SE-AE – for Spain
  • CFE – for Mexico;
  • UNIT 50 – for Uruguay;
  • NSR-10 – for Colombia;
  • ABNT NBR 6123 – for Brazil;
  • CIRSOC 102 – for Argentina;
  • For EN 1991 – for European countries:
    • Belgium (wind and snow)
    • Czech Republic
    • Finland
    • France (wind and snow)
    • Germany (wind and snow)
    • Greece
    • Ireland (wind and snow)
    • Italy
    • Luxembourg(wind and snow)
    • The Netherlands(wind and snow)
    • Poland
    • Portugal
    • San Marino
    • Singapore
    • Slovakia
    • Slovenia
    • United Kingdom (wind and snow)

All you need to put is the location of the structure, to get either the wind and/or snow loads specific to the address. It will automatically select the design code reference based on the country of input location.

 

 

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SkyCiv S3D Integration

In SkyCiv S3D, the Load Generator can be accessed thru the area loads. The user interface is still the same in standalone version except for the node inputs at the results tab. The wind loads generated can be applied directly to the structure using the “Assign Loads to Structure.”

Load Generator S3D options
Screenshot of Load Generator in SkyCiv S3D.

Load Generator S3D node input

Node inputs in SkyCiv Load Generator in S3D.

SkyCiv API (Sandbox)

To use the SkyCiv API for Load Generator, you will need to have an professional account to generate an API key. The documentation in using this version can be accessed thru this link.

load-generator-design-module-load-generator-api, automation and API solutions
Screenshot of SkyCiv API in Sandbox

Load Reporting

Depending on the load cases checked, there will be three or four buttons available at the bottom of the result tab: “Generate Load Report”, “Detailed Wind Calculation,” “Detailed Snow Calculation,” and/or “Detailed Seismic Calculation.” These features are only available for Professional account users and for those who purchased the Load Generator only module.

The Generate Load Report summarizes all your inputs and results for either wind, snow, or seismic (ASCE 7-16) calculations in a clear and concise manner.

The Detailed Wind Calculation shows all the assumptions made in our calculations in a step-by-step manner as elaborated in the reference codes. You can download the sample report using this link.

ASCE 7-16 Wind Load Detailed Report
Sample screenshot of detailed wind load calculation (ASCE 7-16)

Moreover, the Detailed Snow Calculation also supports all codes and you can download the sample report using this link.

ASCE 7-16 Snow Load Detailed Report

Sample screenshot of detailed snow load calculation (ASCE 7-16)

Lastly, the Detailed Seismic Calculation, at the moment, only supports ASCE 7-16 and you can download the sample report using this link.

ASCE 7-16 Seismic Load Detailed Report

Sample screenshot of detailed seismic load calculation (ASCE 7-16)

 

Here’s a quick demo of our load generator:

 

 

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