Web openings are only permitted in I-shape steel gravity beams. If openings have been assigned to a steel beam of another shape, a Design Warning is given during design, and the opening is ignored.

When stiffeners are investigated or specified, the program determines if the tee is of sufficient depth to accommodate the stiffener. This includes a requirement that the clear space between the face of flange and face of stiffener be such that it gives at least a 30 degree angle between the tip of flange and the stiffener weld line. This requirement is meant to ensure that there is adequate space between the flange and the stiffener to perform the welding. A design warning will be given if the tee is of insufficient depth.

During optimization, the size of stiffener plates considered by the program is limited to a thickness no greater than 1.5 times the flange thickness and a width that will not protrude wider than the beam flange. These are somewhat arbitrary, but reasonable, limitations. Larger stiffener sizes can be investigated using the Analyze command in the View/Update command.

The clear space requirement for Eurocode is 50 mm between the bottom face of the flange and the top of stiffener. A minimum edge of opening to the bottom face of the stiffener clearance of 8mm is also required. The general requirements of SCI P355 Section 5.2 for horizontal stiffeners were considered by the program.

During optimization of composite beams, if the current configuration of beam size and studs is inadequate, the program will first try adding additional studs before trying to add stiffeners. If the beam size being investigated does not work even with additional studs, the program will try adding stiffeners. Adding studs takes precedence over adding stiffeners, as it is likely more economical to add additional studs than it is to add stiffeners.