The program designs web openings in conformance with SCI Publication 068 when BS 5950 code is selected.

Stiffeners are assumed to be placed 12mm clear from the edge of opening. Stiffener welds are assumed to be continuous on both sides of the stiffener plate.

In Section 3 there is a recommendation that the shear strength of the concrete be ignored for edge beams unless the decking and reinforcement are effectively anchored. The program assumes that they are effectively anchored.

SCI Publication 068 includes provisions for notched beams. Those provisions have not been implemented.

The effects of web openings on the beam deflection may be significant. For composite beams with rectangular openings the guidelines of SCI Advisory Desk 183: Deflection of composite beams with large web openings are used. For circular openings, additional deflections are neglected as indicated in that document. As no guidance is given for deflections for precomposite and noncomposite beams with rectangular openings, the deflections for such beams is (somewhat) arbitrarily increased by 1/3, regardless of the size or number of rectangular openings. Engineers should satisfy themselves that this is adequate.