Output and Drawings

Important Note – These are descriptions to changes implemented in WoodWorks Connections for version 8.1 and may not reflect current program behaviour.

1. Load Arrows (Feature 32)

   Arrows showing the direction and magnitude of loading are now shown on the diagrams for all connections.

2. Diagram Display when Scrolled (Bug 2368)

   When scrolling, the program would display overlapping repeated pieces of what had already been drawn rather than the bottom portion of the drawing. This has been corrected.

3. Arrows in Connection Identifier Images (Change 22)

   The arrows in the images identifying orthogonal connections have been changed to correspond with the forces as they are input into the program. Previously they showed an upward force on the side member, now they show a downward force on the main member.

4. Colour of Error Message (Change 24 – Version 8.11)

   Error messages that appear in the Details screen above where a connection drawing would ordinarily appear to indicate a failed design have been changed to a red colour for visibility.

5. Gauge Steel Output (Bug 2449 – Version 8.11)

   The following corrections have been made to the output in the Connection data section of the design results of gauge steel specifications for side plates for lapped shear connections.

   1. Steel Grade for Nails and Wood Screws

      The output showed the USA designation ASTM A446 as the steel grade for nail and screw design, but the CSA O86 09 design code 10.9.4.2 indicates that SQ230 or stronger steel should be used for strength f_u value of 310 MPa to be valid. This is now indicated in the output.

   2. Steel Gauge Size for Wood Screws

      The steel gauge size for wood screw connections was not being displayed in the output. It has been added.

6. Precision of Unit Formatting

   The following problems were introduced with version 8 and have been corrected

   1. Significant Digits in Design Results (Bug 1022)

      Some design results did not display their results to the number of significant digits that are calculated (e.g. 3 has been corrected to show 3.000).

   2. Excessive Precision for Imperial Force Magnitude (Bug 2393)

      For many places in the output files, and sometimes in the input and diagrams, and for all connection and fastener types, the program showed excessive precision for imperial forces, for example 1/100 of a pound.

   3. Bolt Diameter Formatting (Change 23 – Version 8.11)

      Bolt sizes which had been formatted in fractional inches, e.g. 3/4, were output as decimals without enough accuracy, e.g. 0.7. Also the metric size lost one digit of accuracy and has been restored to two, e.g. 6.35 mm