ProtaStructure Suite Release Notes

v2022 (6.0.512)
24 January 2023

Please get in touch with us for your training and technical support queries

[email protected]

[email protected]

Publisher
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Limitation of While Prota endeavors to ensure that every new update is tested, Prota
Responsibilities shall not be held responsible for any losses caused by documentation,
software, or usage errors.

In addition to Prota License Agreement Terms, it is the responsibility of

the user:

• to check results generated by documentation and software,

• make sure that the users of the software and their supervisors
have adequate technical capabilities,
• Ensure that the software is used correctly following the reference
manual and documentation.

Intellectual ProtaStructure is a registered trademark of Prota Yazılım Bilişim ve

Property Mühendislik A.Ş., and all intellectual property rights belong to Prota
Yazılım Bilişim ve Mühendislik A.Ş. Documentation, training, reference
manuals, and any program component cannot be copied, distributed, and
used in violation of the license agreement.

Trademarks ProtaStructure®, ProtaDetails®, ProtaSteel®, and ProtaBIM® are

registered trademarks of Prota Software Inc. Prota logo is a trademark
of Prota Software Inc.
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Contents
Contents .................................................................................................................................................. 3
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 4
ProtaStructure 2022 Installation Steps .................................................................................................... 5
Installing ProtaStructure 2022 for the first time .................................................................................. 5
Updating an Existing Version of ProtaStructure 2022 ......................................................................... 5
Alternative 1: Updating by Using the Installer ................................................................................. 5
Alternative 2: Updating by Using the 'Automatic Updates' ............................................................. 6
Inserting Purlins and Claddings on Frame Members ............................................................................... 7
User-Defined C1 (Cb) Values in Steel Design ........................................................................................... 8
Batch Editing the LTB Moment Coefficient C1 (Cb) ......................................................................... 9
Different Profiles for Purlins at Truss Top and Bottom Chords .............................................................. 10
Formwork Detail Drawings .................................................................................................................... 10
Formwork Application Plans .................................................................................................................. 12
Performance Improvement in Formwork Detail Drawings .................................................................... 14
Design of Retaining Walls with No Heel Base Plate ............................................................................... 15
Member Labels in Floor Plan Sections ................................................................................................... 16
Romanian Language Support in ProtaSteel ........................................................................................... 17
New Design Guides and Videos ............................................................................................................. 18
Stability and Performance Improvements ............................................................................................. 19
Thank You .............................................................................................................................................. 20
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Introduction
After the official release of ProtaStructure 2022 (6.0.236) on 1-Mar-2022, several official updates are
released with the following schedule:

Version Release Date

6.0.236 1-Mar-2022 (First Customer Shipment)
6.0.249 15-Mar-2022
6.0.256 27-Mar-2022
6.0.274 7-Apr-2022
6.0.306 18-May-2022
6.0.327 7-July-2022
6.0.392 18-August-2022
6.0.431 13-October-2022
6.0.512 24-January-2023

Significant improvements and stability enhancements are made through these updates. Besides these,
essential and valuable new features are introduced that will help to increase your productivity. This
document summarizes the improvements and new features implemented between the previous and
latest releases of ProtaStructure 2022.

As a part of our continuous delivery and support commitment, we regularly provide new features and
improvements with free updates and releases to all maintained users. Updating your software to the
latest version is highly recommended to get the most out of ProtaStructure.
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ProtaStructure 2022 Installation Steps

ProtaStructure 2022 updates are deployed dynamically without the need for an installation package.
Installation packages for the latest release can always be found in the Downloads section at
www.protasoftware.com or Prota Help Center at www.protasoftware.com.

The latest ProtaSteel 2022 (4.0.1399.3665) installation is available with ProtaStructure 2022 (6.0.512).
ProtaSteel is automatically updated through the ProtaStructure update system. Alternatively, you can
download and install the latest ProtaStructure 2022 (6.0.512) from the download page on the Prota
Software website to get the latest ProtaStructure and ProtaSteel updates.

Installing ProtaStructure 2022 for the first time

1. Download the latest installer from the Downloads section on www.protasoftware.com or Prota
Help Center

2. Make sure that you have the latest Windows updates and graphics card driver. Also, make sure
that your system configuration meets the minimum requirements listed at
https://www.protasoftware.com/frequently-asked-questions

3. Run the installer and follow the installation wizard instructions. The installer will automatically
install the necessary prerequisite runtime libraries.

Updating an Existing Version of ProtaStructure 2022

Alternative 1: Updating by Using the Installer

If you have the latest installer, you can use it to update the existing version of ProtaStructure 2022.

1. Before running the installer, remove the previous installations of ProtaStructure2022 and
ProtaSteel2022. These are listed as separate items in Windows Control Panel > Add or Remove
Programs

2. Please make sure you have cleaned the contents of the folders given below. To delete some of
the directories, you need to make them visible from the menu Control Panel > Folder Options
> Make hidden files and folders visible regarding the safety permissions of your operating
system.

a. C:\Program Files(x86)\Prota\ProtaStructure2022

b. C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Roaming\Prota\ProtaStructure\R6

c. C:\ Users \< UserName >\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files(x86)

\Prota\ProtaStructure2022

d. C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\ProgramData\Prota\ProtaSteel20
22

e. C:\ProgramData\Prota\ProtaSteel2022
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Important Warning:
The "C:\ProgramData\Prota\ProtaSteel2022" folder contains user settings, presets, and user-defined
connection macro definitions (if created). It is recommended that you back up this folder before
deleting it.

3. Make sure that you have the latest Windows updates and graphics card driver. Also, make sure
that your system configuration meets the minimum requirements listed at
https://www.protasoftware.com/frequently-asked-questions

4. Run the installer and follow the installation wizard instructions. The installer will automatically
install the necessary prerequisite runtime libraries.

Alternative 2: Updating by Using the 'Automatic Updates'

ProtaStructure will notify you if there is a new 'Official' version of ProtaStructure 2022. You can see the
notifications on Welcome Page in the program. Alternatively, you can click on the Help > Check Updates
button to see if any updates are available for your installed version of ProtaStructure.

1. Make sure that you are connected to the internet.

2. Click on the update notification on the welcome page.

3. Click on the Download Update button to start downloading the updates. Updated files will be
replaced automatically, and ProtaStructure will be restarted.

a. Alternatively, click on "Help > Check Updates…".

New license codes are not required for updates, and you do not need to reactivate ProtaStructure
again.

Important Note:
ProtaStructure is not supported on the Windows 7 operating system. Windows 7 does not have the
latest required software libraries to ensure the smooth running of ProtaStructure. During installation
on Windows 7, unexpected errors may occur beyond our control.

Microsoft removed support for Windows 7 on 13 January 2015. Extended support ceased on 14
January 2020. Windows 7 users wanting to use ProtaStructure must upgrade to Windows 10.
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Inserting Purlins and Claddings on Frame Members

ProtaStructure has a potent frame member with detailed analytical and physical offsets, end-releases
(hinges), restraints (supports) in any degree of freedom, flexible loading, and FE meshing and load
decomposition options.

With the latest update, you can insert purlins and cladding on frame members. This powerful addition
complements the frame members' modeling and load distribution features. In this way, you have even
more freedom now in steel modeling in ProtaStructure.

1. Go to Modelling Tab > Steel Members > Purlin (or Girt) command.

2. Pick two frame members on the screen. The purlin dialog will pop up as soon as you pick the
second frame.

3. Specify the purlin parameters and click OK. The purlin will be automatically laid out and
inserted onto the specified frames.

4. Continue picking frame members to insert more purlins. You can hit ESC on the keyboard to
cancel the command.

5. You can insert claddings on purlins as usual.

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User-Defined C1 (Cb) Values in Steel Design

The Moment Factor or Lateral Torsional Buckling Modification Factor C1 (Cb) plays a significant role in
calculating the nominal flexural strength of steel members. The calculation of C1 (Cb) is based on the
unbraced length of the compression flange and the moment diagram for the unbraced segment in
question.

Important Note:
In ProtaStructure, a detailed calculation for this parameter is not done currently, and, conservatively,
its default value is 1.0.

With the latest update, you can override this parameter individually or through the "Batch Steel
Design Parameter Editing" table.

1. On the steel design UI, switch to the "Parameters" tab.

2. Check the "Manually edit the buckling parameters" checkbox.

3. The default value of "LTB Moment Coefficient, C1" is displayed as zero, meaning that
ProtaStructure will automatically consider it 1.0 internally.

4. Enter the new value of C1 (Cb).

5. Click the "Check Design" button to update the design checks.

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Batch Editing the LTB Moment Coefficient C1 (Cb)

You can also override the value of the LTB Moment Coefficient for selected members in a quicker way.

1. Select the members for which you wish to edit the LTB Moment Coefficient.

2. Right-Click and run the "Edit Steel Design Parameters" command.

3. Select the cells you want to edit on the batch edit window, or click the "LTB Moment
Coefficient, C1" column header to edit all members.

4. Click the "Edit Selected Design Parameters" button on the toolbar and enter the new value.

5. Click OK to exit the batch edit dialog.

6. The design of the selected members will be updated automatically after this operation.
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Different Profiles for Purlins at Truss Top and Bottom Chords

In ProtaStructure, you can insert purlins at truss top and bottom chords using the parametric purlin
editor. You can now assign different profiles to purlins connecting the top or bottom chords of the
trusses.

Formwork Detail Drawings

We introduced the design and detailing of formworks and formwork scaffolds with the previous
updates. The latest update introduces a new type of detailing: the Formwork Application Plan Drawings.

You can access the formwork details through ProtaDetails. After you design the formworks in
ProtaStructure, open ProtaDetails and start creating the drawings using the "Drawings Tree >
Formworks".

ProtaStructure automatically groups formworks. That means the detail drawings are also automatically
grouped.

1. Right-click on the "Formwork" node on the drawings tree and pick the "Draw Formwork Details"
command. All details will be drawn and laid out automatically, including their quantity take-off
tables.

2. Right-click on one of the "Formwork/Column", "Formwork/Shearwall", "Formwork/Beam", or

"Formwork/Slab" nodes to automatically create all the formwork details for a specific group.
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3. Alternatively, expand the "Formwork/Column" node. The column formworks will be listed.
Right-click on one of the column formworks and create a single detail.

You can also draw the formwork details one-by-one

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Formwork Application Plans

The latest update provides the mostly sought "Formwork Application Plan Drawings" feature. On the
application plans, formwork details are drawn in their original positions on the structural plan so that
you don't have to cross-reference between individual details and key plans.

1. Design the column, shearwall, beam, and slab formworks in ProtaStructure.

2. Launch ProtaDetails.
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3. You will see a new category, "Formwork Application Plan", in the "Details Explorer Tree" on the
left-hand side.

4. You can create the formwork application plans for individual storeys and member types by
double-clicking the tree items. The default scale is 1/50.

5. More detailed individual formwork drawings can be obntained using the "Formwork Details"
title where the member formwork details will be drawn in 1/20 scale with more detail.
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Performance Improvement in Formwork Detail Drawings

A significant overall performance improvement is made in formwork detail drawings, so the drawing
generation is much faster than the previous version.
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Design of Retaining Walls with No Heel Base Plate

The retaining wall design is more challenging when the heel base plate is not used. It is usually preferable
to design with the heel for an optimum design. That's because the stability and soil pressure calculations
will not be able to make use of the favorable effect of the backfill when the heel base plate is absent.

There may be situations when you need to design a retaining wall with no heel base plate, such as the
problematic excavation of the backfill and no practical way to build the base plate.

With the latest update of ProtaStructure, the retaining wall design algorithm and data input is revised
to allow the design of retaining walls with no heel. However, you must note that the stability and
foundation soil pressure checks may be harder to satisfy. You may need to take additional precautions,
such as designing a more extended toe base plate or a shear key.
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Member Labels in Floor Plan Sections

Floor plan sections in ProtaDetails now include member labels. Member labels can be turned on or off
using the section properties window.
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Romanian Language Support in ProtaSteel

ProtaSteel now supports the Romanian language. We have achieved a translation percentage of 87%,
which covers the most used functions and user interfaces such as toolbar commands, tooltips, drawing
manager UI, connection macro windows, clash check, assembly, part drawing settings, etc.
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New Design Guides and Videos

We have been working hard to provide extensive documentation, videos, and webinars on numerous
topics to improve your experience and knowledge of ProtaStructure.

Visit Prota Help Center's Knowledge Base and our website's 'Whitepaper' section to learn about the
latest design guides.

Prota Help Center Knowledge Base:

https://support.protasoftware.com/

Protasoftware.com Whitepapers:
https://www.protasoftware.com/whitepaper

In addition to design guides, we have been conducting new webinars and publishing the recordings.
Also, our technical team is always busy creating video content on ProtaStructure features, usage, and
theory. Please subscribe to our YouTube channel to get notified of new content.

https://www.youtube.com/c/ProtaStructure
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Stability and Performance Improvements

Stability and performance improvements are made. Following are the outstanding incidents resolved
between the previous and current official releases.

Ticket Incident No Description

An incident is resolved where the purlins could not be created on

35316 PS-13313
some of the user-defined steel trusses.

Frame members can now be categorized to their types on the steel

PS-8491
design window.

Steel truss design is improved to consider cantilever purlins and

PS-6781
other framing trusses as lateral support.

PS-13379 Improvements are made in the non-structural member forces report.

The display of minimum reinforcement areas is improved in the RC

35452 PS-13348
beam design report.

A visual incident was resolved where the infill walls were not
PS-13384
displayed in the 3D window for some user projects.

Braced length calculations are improved in steel design to consider

34640 PS-13142 trusses spanning into other trusses. In addition, purlins and braces
can now be considered in frame member braced length calculations.

31316 PS-12155 A visual improvement is made in the pad footing design report.

The section manager automatically assigns a color for newly

34409 PS-9259 generated member sections to be used in visual interrogation. These
colors can be edited later on.

35564 PS-13394 Improvements are made in ETABS export.

Zoom shortcuts are introduced. (CTRL+W: Zoom Window, CTRL+O:

PS-9329
Zoom Previous, CTRL+E: Zoom Extent, CTRL+L: Zoom Limits)

Manual rebar strips are now included in the slab design window and
PS-13329
slab design report.

PS-11791 The 'Hide Selected' command is added to the loading editor.

The 'Re-label Members' function is enhanced to retain consistent

35763 PS-13444 Shearwall labels through storeys. Also, several other improvements
have been made.

Storey description is also displayed in the floor plan and column

PD-1519
application detail drawings in ProtaDetails in addition to storey label.

Detailing of slab opening peripheral rebars is improved so that the

2844 PD-1907
surrounding gap is smaller.
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Thank You
Thank you for choosing the ProtaStructure Suite product family.

At Prota, it is our continual aim to provide you with user-friendly, industry-leading technology for
building design and documentation

Should you have any technical support requests or questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at all
times through [email protected] or [email protected] (Asia Pacific)

Our dedicated online support center and responsive technical support team are available to help you
get the most out of Prota's technology solutions.

The Prota Team