GeniE Release Notes

__________________________________________________

Version V3.5-18, 26 Oct 2007

New version with MSI (Microsoft Installer) based installation program.

New features and bug fixes are relative to last official version V3.4-28 / V3.4-27.

New features

GeniE V3.5 comes with a range of new high level features, and many smaller improvements. The high level features include:

• New user manuals
• Volume 3 – Plate/shell structures
• Volume 4 – Beam code checking
• Three new tutorials included with installation
• Basic, Member and Tubular Joint Check of jacket, Cargo Rail
• Frame code checks
• API WSD has been renamed to API WSD 2002
• New code checks
• API WSD 2005
• AISC ASD 2005
• Norsok N-004 2004
• Eurocode3 EN 1993-1-1 2005
• Beam force and stress reporting
• Tables and graphs in a new dialog
• Section stresses in hot spots
• Envelopes over loadcases
• Improved Concept XML support
• For use to/from GeniE or towards other systems
• Support for simple and complex structures
• Loads can now optionally be exported/imported to/from XML
• Optional data compression, supporting much larger models.
• Includes compatibility option for interoperability with GeniE V3.4
• New in this version is support for guiding geometry, feature edges, hydrodynamic properties, mesh properties, mesh priority, environment properties.
• Meshing
• Advancing front mesher (“paver”), can be selected for parts of the model.
• Optional user-prioritised meshing order
• Improvements to mesh density distribution along lines
• Interactive quality checks of produced mesh
• Implemented support for global default mesh density and growth rate
• Other new features
• Interactive model checking helps detect modelling errors early. This can help detect short edges and sliver faces (=very narrow faces).
• JS-compatibility feature
• Improves and simplifies compatibility with earlier GeniE versions
• Reporting features
• Sum of loads and reaction forces from the SIN-file (requires new SESTRA, October 2007) are now available. The “new” Save Report has a Load Sum table presenting load sums loadcase by loadcase.
• “Just-in-time” computing of combination results.
• Better integration with SIN-files allows e.g. code checking of new combinations without requiring an FE-analysis re-run.
• Automatic generation of zip file with input JS file is generated if a low level ACIS problem is detected. This file should always be communicated to DNVS. The user is also advised to perform an UNDO in such situations.
• GeniE will now check whether the concept model is more recent than the FE-analysis and give error message when such situations are detected during code checking, so that the user can re-run the FE-analysis.
• Support for export of SAT-files
• Set Default Workspace folder from within GeniE - menu : File | Set Default Workspace Folder ...

Bug corrections

This release continues the focus on stability, compatibility and performance. Efforts have been made to ensure stability for small and large models. Emphasis has been put on compatibility with journal files and XML files produced in the previous official release, in order to simplify a GeniE version upgrade

Modelling/Properties

• Correction for proper handling of mass and COG calculations for beams with conical transition segments. Now using the specified thickness and the diameter of the cone segment.
• GeniE employs ACIS R17 with a number of low level bug fixes relating to boolean operations. This generally provides more stable modelling.
• Corrected issue with colour coding of properties, now showing only the selected ones when using the browser as starting point
• Corrected issue with error when flipping shell/plate surface normals via Properties | Local system tab.
• Corrected low level issue causing joining of plates to behave inconsistently
• Guide Curve modelling has been corrected, it sometimes created wrong guide curves.
• Copy loadcase now includes the load interface
• A problem with recursive calls in JS-file causing crash has been resolved by increasing the stack available.
• Model graphics is now automatically updated when changing symbol size of Joint symbol
• Labelling of local coordinate system for curved beams connected to plate has been corrected.
• Corrected problem with guideline divide causing disconnected lines.
• Corrected problem with closed guide curve causing curve truncation.
• Corrected problem with non-working New Wet Surface in browser
• Corrected problem with Inserting Beam or feature edge on circular plate with circular hole causing illegal ACIS model
• Corrected section shear factor in Z-direction of 0.0 being changed to 1.0 by the program
• Corrected assignment to shear factorZ on sections. This command incorrectly assigned shear factorY in stead.
• Corrected crash when typing name of support point in Prescribed displacement dialog
• Corrected Load interfaces not part of copy loadcase operation
• Better error messages when trying to join beams with curvature exceeding 90 degrees from guide vector,

Undo/Redo

• Corrected some terminology issues in Undo/redo and added some missing undo/redo check points in dialogs.
• Improved stability of undo/redo
• Corrected crash for undo/redo with compartment loads

Loads/Compartments/Equipment

• Compartment modelling is now faster & more stable
• Corrected drawing of non-planar line loads, previously such loads were drawn in a confusing way.
• Corrected issue with copy mirror or rotate caused the original load to be transformed instead of the copied instance.
• Corrected issue with scaling of loads
• Corrected problem with clean journal file only applying load interface to one loadcase
• Equipment on a curved beam caused GeniE to hang - Fixed hang when applying equipments on curved beams. Fixed handling of curved beam footprints in general.
• When recalculating fill heights, the applied loads will now be calculated correctly when regenerate applied loads is called.
• When creating a varying line load that covered more than one beam, the applied load was calculated incorrectly.

Meshing

• A warning message (to the message log window) is again issued for missing essential properties (thickness, section and material properties) during meshing.
• Point mass. Warning given if point mass not connected to structure.
• Correction to meshing of flexible hinges, a bug caused wrong local coordinate system set to hinge.
• Better error messages are given when trying to mesh illegal models, e.g. for beams with cone segments at the end.
• Corrected mesh locking for second order elements
• Added detailed error info from meshing module on many error types.

Frame code checks

• Corrected behaviour of how hydrostatic pressure shall be interpreted for load combinations in code checks, when more than one wave load is contributing to the combination. The implementation has now been altered so that the wave with the highest crest will be used (if several waves in a load combination). Also, a load factor of 1.0 will be used for hydrostatic pressure (independent of the load factor for the wave load case in a combination). This is consistent with Framework.
• The Edit Description dialog for capacity manager has been improved to show more text.

Export/Import

• Default mesh density is now part of clean js export 
• A problem with importing overlapping beams from FEM file has been corrected.
• When importing rule load XML files, the generation of scripting commands can be disabled, using a reference to the input XML instead.

Other

• Correction to generated SESTRA.INP when GeniE running under 64-bit Windows XP, allowing Sestra to run properly.
• Corrected stability issues when using “Save Report”.
• Save report now saves unit-less direction cosines. Now also reports local Y-axis for beams.
• Corrected issue with Tools | Analysis | Show Analysis and Results not reflecting proper state, causing user confusion.
• GeniE now avoids user interaction when running with EXIT option from command line - Default when reading old analysis with /EXIT on command line is to always load old results.
• Improved support for load analysis and results. No dialog shown when running in batch mode using /EXIT. The command LoadAnalysisAndResult(); can now be scripted.

Known issues

• GeniE V3.5 can not be used under Windows Vista
• Models should not use database unit mm, due to numerical accuracy issues. It is strongly recommended to use meter as database units, optionally using mm as input unit.
• “Eliminate internal edges” will not work with Advancing Front mesher
• A warning is issued if Advancing Front mesher is selected for the whole model, as the computing times may become excessive.
• The XML export does not cover

· Connection points (in joints)

· Global settings (Edit | Rules – meshing, compatibility, tolerances, etc.)

· Analyses - including setup parameters for wave loads and soil/pile analysis.

__________________________________________________

Version D3.5-17, 25 Oct 2007 to version D3.5-01, 07 Jun 2007

Internal development versions.

__________________________________________________

Version V3.4-28, 30 Mar 2007

New version with MSI (Microsoft Installer) based installation program.

New Features 

• None.

Bug Fixes

• None.

__________________________________________________

Version V3.4-27, 09 Mar 2007

New Features 

• None

Bug Fixes

• Change in interpretation of pressure functions for Bulk compartment loads (linear function) imported via Rule Loads XML. Now corrected to be consistent with the Nauticus CSR Bulk load generator. The reference point x and y coordinates in the function expression are now relative to the compartment volumetric COG. In previous GeniE versions, the global coordinates were used for x and y when computing function values.

__________________________________________________

Version V3.4-26, 08 Mar 2007

New Features 

• None

Bug Fixes

• Added missing scripting of setOutputUnits and setPropertyDirect for Strucad3d import
• Removed erroneous “stiffener orientation” tab from properties dialog
• Updated setup program to allow optional installation of C/MFC system DLLs locally with GeniE installation? Previously, these DLLs were always installed with GeniE, but in some cases problems were observed relating to graphical interaction (system hang). The default is now to use the DLLs provided in the operating system and not install the DLLs locally. However, if this causes problems, GeniE may be reinstalled with the system DLLs option turned on.

__________________________________________________

Version V3.4-25, 28 Feb 2007

New features and bug fixes relative to last official version V3.3-38

New Features

User guidance and tutorials

• There are two new documents describing the new features for mesh control and load application on curved structures. The documents are located on GeniE’s help page under User’s Guide.
• There are now a total of eleven tutorials located on GeniE’s help page under Example Index. Among the new ones are Tubular Joint Modelling and Member Check Workshop

Compatibility features

• Added combo box in Read Journal File dialog to allow setting compatibility options prior to reading journal file created with other version of GeniE. When reading JS files produced from older program versions, select the appropriate version range.
• For "GeniE V3.3-38 or older" the following options will be set:

 GeniERules.Compatibility.enable(PlateSnapping,false)
 GeniERules.Compatibility.enable(PlateSortingCOGFirst,false)
 
o For "GeniE V3.4-24 or newer" the following options will be set to:
 
 GeniERules.Compatibility.enable(PlateSnapping,true)    
 GeniERules.Compatibility.enable(PlateSortingCOGFirst,true
 
o For " Manual, use options in journal file " the user is expected to edit the options manually in the input journal file. This feature is for special purpose D-version compatibility use only.
§ PlateSnapping should be turned off when reading journal files generated prior to GeniE D3.4-12. Prior to this version, the program did not try to snap coordinates given when creating a flat plate to existing structure. 
§ PlateSortingCOGFirst should be turned off when reading journal files generated prior to GeniE D3.4-21. Prior to this version, when dividing or exploding a plate, the names given to the patches were not always the same from run to run. This should be considerably more stable with this option. A higher sorting tolerance and a more stable sorting criteria is used. 
 

• Introduced reproducible naming of concepts (using space sorting) when importing model from SAT. This will increase compatibility when importing the same SAT file several times.
• Changed behaviour for plate splitting to increase chance of future compatibility. Plates are now sorted on centre of gravity first, and this option is controlled via :
  GeniERules.Compatibility.enable(PlateSortingCOGFirst,true/false);

"true" is now default, but "false" may be selected for older journal files (created with GeniE older than D3.4-21).

• Added support for plate snapping. Plate snapping is a feature where the specified points in a FlatPlate(…) command are checked against existing structure and “snapped” to the points closer than specified coordinate tolerance. It is possible to disable plate snapping via Edit Rules Compatibility in order to run old journal files. This corresponds to scripting command:

 GeniERules.Compatibility.enable(PlateSnapping,false); 

Meshing

• A new mesh generator is now implemented, giving better quality mesh (please consult the Meshing Guide on GeniE’s help page for further details)
• Note that plate meshes will be different from previous releases.
• Triangle elements will be inserted if required, independent of user setting.
• The user should still specify a global mesh density and if required subdivide the geometry with feature edges to create a better mesh.
• AdjustNumberOfElements is turned on as default, should normally not be modified. This mesh rule setting is not available in GUI dialog, but it may be turned off from JS by
  
  GeniERules.Meshing.preference(mpAdjustNumberOfElements,false);

AdjustNumberOfElements activates an internal algorithm that sets local mesh control data to comply better with the user mesh settings. The algorithm usually results in an increase in the number of elements generated.

• GUI support for mesh options on edge (beam, support curve, feature edges) and plates has been added (double-click a plate and right click an edge to activate the commands. Double click outside the model to return to normal modelling view)
• Option for using long loadcase and set names on FEM file, see Edit | Rules | Meshing ...
• New method for geometric decomposition in meshing. For complex geometries, eg. Surfaces with holes, the surfaces will be subdivided into meshable parts. The new method reduces the need for user definiton of feature edges sin order to create meshable topology.
• Edges that partly imprints a face are now allowed.
• Point intersections on a face is still NOT allowed, then a feature edges must be added from the point to the circumference of the plate.
• Added meshing rule for SplitPeriodicGeometry.
• Implemented scripting function to split periodic faces in the model (SplitPeriodicGeometry()). This is used to ensure that there will be no problem related to parametrization in meshing of cylinders and other curved geometry.
• SplitPeriodicGeometry and SimplifyTopology will now always be journalled explicitly when enabled in the meshing rule.
• Improved meshing by optional automatic idealization of topology
• Automatic removal of insignificant vertices and/or edges. This can be used to avoid unwanted “internal mesh constraints”. This option can be applied globally or locally on plates, beams and feature edges.
• Automatic handling of periodic geometry. This avoids problems with meshing e.g. cylinders.

Frame capacity checks

• Member code check for API WSD implemented, i.e.:
• API WSD member check for tubular sections
• API WSD cone check
• AISC ASD member check for non-tubular sections
• Joint punch check according to API WSD implemented.
• Joint capacity models are created based on joint design concepts
• Cans and stubs are taken into account.
• LoadPath based joint classification is available.
• If Geometric or LoadPath based classification fails (e.g. if more than 3 braces in same plane), YT is applied.
• Use of Frame capacity check features requires license extension CCBM. This means that if the folder named "Capacity" does NOT appear in the browser in GeniE, you should contact us to see if you are entitled to this feature (clients having a valid maintenance agreement on Framework are normally entitled such rights).
• Code revisions implemented
• API WSD : “Recommended Practice for Planning, Designing and Constructing Fixed Offshore Platforms—Working Stress Design API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 2A-WSD (RP 2A-WSD) TWENTY-FIRST EDITION, DECEMBER 2000 ERRATA AND SUPPLEMENT 1, DECEMBER 2002”
• AISC: ANSI/AISC 360-05 An American National Standard;  Specification for Structural Steel Buildings”, March 9, 2005
• Validation of code checks
• API WSD has been validated against Framework version V3.4-03
• AISC has been manually validated fir I-profiles and box-profiles. AISC validation report is available on request.
• See also the new tutorial Member Check Workshop on how to perform frame capacity checking

Reporting

• New scriptable reporting implemented, including Structure, Properties, Masses and Loads and code checks. This feature is available under File | Save report ...
• Reporting of code checks
• Summary, brief and full tables are available. The user may specify filters and the amount of data to be reported.
• Reporting member options and general run parameters.
• only elements with option values different from the default are listed.
• Reporting of capacity check Member loads (i.e. section forces and moments from FE analysis)
• Sub-element may be added to a chapter, e.g. Report.add( Chapter("Level1")) and Report.back.add( Chapter("Level2"));

Model verification

• Tools | Structure | Verify extended to detect sliver faces and “essential structural properties”
• Implemented JS function VerifyGeometry(...) to validate if the underlying ACIS-model is valid.

Graphics / Interaction

• Added Support for hide labels during interactions.
• Graphical presentation of capacity checks
• Visualisation of member and joint capacity models
• Colour coding of members based on usage factors
• Numeric/textual labelling of usage factors
• Added a line displaying database units when in mesh view.
• Support for selecting members (capacity models) also from named sets.
• New scheme for color coding implemented
• Added support for colorcoding none/ambiguous for property values, such as thickness value.

Modelling / Properties

• Support for creating beams/model curves/feature edges from plate edit mode (double click the plate)
• Generalized joining algorithms to account for also for curved beams.
• Removed limitation on compartments. Spherical compartments and compartments with double curvature are now supported.
• Plate edit now supports creation and modification of curves on plate edges.
• Straight beams can now be assigned a local eccentricity and a generic coordinate system (Relative to plate)
• Added GUI for geometry rules.
• Support curves will now use global system as default when being interactively modelled.
  For nearly all conditions, it will be natural to specify support BC's in the Global System. Especially for curves with Super and Dependent nodes (rigid link). For compatibility with old versions, the new default will be explicitly logged. Old JS files without overruling local system will still use the Guide Local System.
• Added support for skinning that starts or ends in a single point (e.g. to create a cone between a guide curve and a guide point).
• It is now possible to remove assigned hydro properties in the same way as done for e.g. sections and materials, i.e. select "no hydro property" in the property list and press apply. Be aware that using this option, you will remove all assigned hydro properties from the selected parts. On scripting level, commands like "Bm1.setNoHydroProperty();" are issued.

Loads / Compartments

• Updated the LoadCases dialog to make it possible to turn on/off the option of including structure mass with rotation field.
• Added feature where Rotational load (due to rotational acceleration/velocity) should optionally not write BNACCLO - new option "include/excludeStructureMassWithRotationField" is used to control this
• Implemented javascript function dialog for surface component loads.
• Support for javascript line loads both for load and temperature.
• Javascript edit fields now support multiline scripts, and displays them correctly when editing.
• Added content-relevant data in browser compartment folder for current loadcase.
• It is now possible to do extensive modelling after compartments have been initialized. The cellular topology will be deleted intermediately, and re-inserted when needed.

Export / Import

• XML export/import now supports storage of a single embedded sat-file. All the concepts then refer to this sat-file in their geometry section.  This makes possible import of more complex geometries.
• Export of Concept XML and Model JS now exposes available scripting options in the GUI.
• GeniE Export dialogs now gives the user an option between scripting/not scripting export operations.

Bug Fixes

Meshing

• Corrections in meshing to avoid crash when collapsed elements.
• Corrections in meshing to avoid illegal element shapes.
• Corrected problem with double nodes generated between part of "inner beam" that is not overlapped and other beams.
• Corrected issue with plates and beams not being connected in mesh when using double beams and joints with connection points near plates.
• Mesh generation:
• Correction for wrong handling of long set name selection in mesh rules settings.
• The meshing now automatically splits periodic faces (e.g. cylinders), so that manual subdivision to some degree may be left out.
• Corrected hang when meshing face with invalid loop definition.
• Corrected crash for a face being "pierced" by an edge (vertex loop). For such cases, the user must include a feature edge from the point in question to the outer plate edge, or else no mesh will be created for the face.
• Added test in meshing to avoid folded/collapsed elements.
• Allow labelling of Relative Jacobi on 8 node shells.
• Allow mesh boundary conditions to be hidden using visible model.

Undo/Redo

• Corrected undo problem related to rename. This could cause incompatibility in journal file.
• Corrected crash related to undo of loadcase creation.
• Corrected crash in undo mark action if activated prior to opening a database.
• Corrected issue related to undo history disappearing when meshing using Alt+M
• Corrected problem where Undo did not work properly after a beam join operation.
• Corrected problem where Undo fails if nothing has been written to journal file.
• Corrected error where Undo a change on a polycurve leads to crash.
• Corrected undo error when testing the validity of a user defined javascript function.
• Corrected formatting error in javascript functions when formatting if/else statements.
• Corrected crash related to undo after an analysis has been performed.
• Corrected crash related to undo when modifying objects that are members of sets.
• Added missing undomark for divide and join of plates.

Modelling / Properties

• Keeping contents of named sets up to date when dividing beams and plates, and when punching a hole in e.g. a beam.
• Corrected crash problem in plate edit when removing plate.
• Corrected problem to remove BeamType property.
• Fixed errors with first setting beam type to inner, then outer, then removing from inner beam.
• Corrected issue where Local Z-axis of plate shown in wrong position ( for plates without material and/or thickness )
• Corrected error in split of beams at an existing vertex
• Corrected crash in Guide Plane dialog when pressing the move down arrow button without selecting anything in the spacings lists.
• Corrected error where divide of circular curves failed.
• Corrected space sorting problems related to plates with no material or thickness defined. Plates divided by a plane is now properly space sorted. This may have an impact to compatibility with older models where parts of structure are split and at the same time have no material and/or thickness assigned.
• Corrected export of curved plates to XML
• Corrected error where Properties on plates was deleted when using "Divide plate with plane"
• Corrected error where Zero length element was created if pile section change at point where node will be created anyway.
• Fixed display issue with general section, size in local Y- and Z-direction of ellipisis interchanged.
• Corrected crashes when deleting support curve (after meshing).
• Connected move now moves support points and point masses as well as joints and beams.
• Corrected error for eccentric beams.
• Corrected Snap Perpendicular that did not work on all Guide Curves.
• Corrected error where support curves inserted at multiple non-continuous beams caused program halt. Support curves may now only be creating on existing structure edges (when interactively modelling).
• Corrected minor error where Pipe section denoted 'other section' in saved report
• Corrected crash when deleting plate/beams together with feature edge.
• Corrected Error when dividing complex guide splines. Curves disappear.
• Fixed crash when modifying unsymmetrical I-section.
• Corrected labelling of Mesh density and number of element
• Corrected crash where move beam end failed.
• Corrected "Unknown Error" in SimplifyTopology when run from journal file
• View Options "Show All", "Show Selected" etc did not refresh the model.
• Corrected crash when doing interactive modelling with an invalid GuideCurve present.
• Simplify topology is now called implicitly in the CreateMesh() command (for completeness) if autosimplify specified in rules.
• Simplify topology is now called before creating mesh from analysis dashboard.

Loads / Compartments

• Corrected computation of loads in full compartments. The profile of the compartment at its widest is extruded up to the fill height. This causes more correct loads according to CSR-Bulk.
• Corrected issue making it nearly impossible to insert CalmSea for wave load condition.
• Corrected program hanging when changing previously defined wave load run.
• Corrected problem with deleting waves in regular wave set.
• Correction to problem with slicer graph being drawn incorrectly for cases where the slicer is parallel to global axes, but with inverse direction (drawing problem only). Now, the slicer graph will be drawn as generally oriented for this case, i.e. using distance from end 1.
• Corrected invalid scripting of k4 in general pressure load expression (modified k3 in stead of k4)
• Corrected issue where dummy hydro pressure for compartment incorrectly allows for selecting option 'No Global Intensity'
• Message when running eigenvalue analysis and duplicate loadcases exists, explains workaround.
• Message about 'Illegal Load combination option' is now given only once.
• Corrected error where Structure-Pile-Soil Analysis with loadcombinations fail if top superelement is not 21
• Corrected error where load Sum over Equipments, Conceptual load was wrong for combination - now OK in LC Properties dialog and in Save Report
• Corrected crash when modifying equipment from GUI while having no active loadcase.
• Corrected problem where Load combination loadsum in browser was incorrect
• Corrected problem with GeniE/Wajac/Pile-Soil Analysis: The first level superelement number is now written to WAJAC.INP for card types SPEC, MEMGRW, MEMSEG, ELIM, MPRT, etc.
• Error correction for shear force/moment diagram integration of concentrated point load on beam.
• Improved stability when modelling compartments.
• Corrected problems doing modelling after compartments model is inserted.
• Performance improvement related to joint editing.
• Corrected error where Dummy hydro pressure was shown acting in wrong direction. (only a display issue)
• Compartment now properly ignores any internal dummy hydro pressure if the ignoreInternalPressure is set (default)
• Corrected labelling of current profiles.
• Corrected error where applied loads were generated outside equipment footprint area.
• Corrected issue with rigid link support bounding box not detecting all edges.

Export / Import

• Corrected crash when reading corrupt FEM-file (without GELREF1 cards for elements).
• Corrected error where XML export did not account for sense of curved plates.
• Corrected crash of GeniE if FEM or SIN file is exported when these files do not exist.
• Correcte  missing availability of PDS/PDMS import/export (was lost out in V3.3-38).
• Corrected sequence error on Clean JS file ( related to Load items that are contained in sets)

Other

• Corrected error causing inconsistencies between journal file and database when closing workspace without saving first.
• Corrected issue where right-clicking something that was not selected, where context menu was shown for this and not for the current selection.
• Corrected problem where opening an old workspace was slow when opening with command line.
• Improved error messages if copy fails
• Improved performance of reading large journal files.