FAQ
Tips and Tricks
  1. Using commands in SCIA Engineer
  2. Load types in SCIA Engineer
  3. Is there a way to increase the speed of calculation (by turning off virus scan)?
  4. Error during calculation: Dll SPRUT.DLL was not found
  5. Two tips to increase the speed of calculations in SCIA Engineer
  6. What is the meaning of the error message „Unable to save container to file …” ?
  7. Elastic subsoil
  8. How to model a ‚tension only’ bar?
  9. What is the stiffness of the connection between two entities?
  10. Is it possible to define a cross-section yourself?
  11. What is the difference between an ‘Alpha’ and ‘LCS Rotation’ of a 1D member?
  12. Overview of the types of co-ordinate systems in SCIA Engineer.
  13. How to create a connection between two entities (1D or 2D members)?
  14. How can a cross-section from a *.dwg or *.dxf file be imported into SCIA Engineer?
  15. How to rotate structural entities around a certain axis?
  16. How to define a variable slab thickness?
  17. SCIA Engineer: Local coordinate system of a node.
  18. Tips for “Table Input”; utilize the power within
  19. Best Practice for Floor Systems Modeling 
  20. How to correctly define a free load?
  21. How to create nonlinear combinations for a nonlinear calculation?
  22. What is the difference between EN-ULS (STR/GEO) Set B and Set C combinations?
  23. Is it possible to adapt free loads after generation?
  24. What are Span Loads and how to use them?
  25. SCIA Engineer: How do the different types of load panels work?
  26. Is it possible to obtain the response of the structure as a function of the applied frequency?
  27. Incorrect 2D Slab topology
  28. Error during calculation: “Structure is instable. instabillity found.”
  29. Limitations of the nonlinear calculation.
  30. Error when starting calculation: “No nodes found in project data!”
  31. Error modal analysis: „Number of the nonzero numbers in the mass vector should be at least twice as big as it is”.
  32. What does the warning: ‚Elements with angle < 5° mean’ ?
  33. What to check when using ‚Composite elements’
  34. What to check when using ‚Dynamics’
  35. How to use a section?
  36. Results on 2D members – What is the influence of the option ‘Location’?
  37. How can the deformation of a structure be asked for?
  38. How to retrieve the (global) deformation of cables? (new since version SE 2008.1)
  39. What is the function of the option ‚rib’ that you find in the properties menu of the results?
  40. How are the internal forces calculated in the ribs (+ influence of effective width)?
  41. How is the cooperation between a plate and beams?
  42. What is the influence of an eccentricity on the internal forces?
  43. How can peak values be averaged?
  44. What is the convention for the signs of normal forces and stresses?
  45. How are internal forces and stresses of 2D elements considered and calculated in SCIA Engineer?
  46. How can the centre of gravity (mass) be calculated for a structure in SCIA Engineer?
  47. How to define a section on a 1D member?
  48. Storeys in SCIA Engineer
  49. 3D results – Displacements & Stresses
  50. SCIA Engineer: Table Results
  51. SCIA Engineer: Advanced use of Table input
  52. Why is there an axial force in the rib?
  53. Overview Drawings using a Cylindrical Linegrid
  54. How to display the results for all load cases (how to use indented tables in document)?
  55. How to define the indicative linear combination for 1D elements (combination key)?
  56. How to adjust units in SCIA Engineer?
  57. What is the meaning of EP-Format for saving pictures?
  58. How can the (default) settings of a document picture be set?
  59. How to make high resolution screenshots in SCIA Engineer?
  60. How to create a document template?
  61. SCIA Engineer: Engineering Report Templates
  62. New features of the Engineering Report in SCIA Engineer 15
  63. Problems with the graphical representation
  64. Using the Profile Library from ESA-Prima Win in SCIA Engineer
  65. When opening the Help an error message appears
  66. Toolbar had disappeared, how can it be recovered?
  67. How to personalize the toolbars?
  68. How to use SCIA Engineer keyboard shortcuts
  69. Calculation in value fields
  70. How to change default settings of SCIA Engineer?
  71. Is it possible to deactivate only some line grids?
  72. Defining your own materials in the (default) system database
  73. Error: an unnamed file contains an incorrect path?
  74. Transfer a project to an older SCIA Engineer version via XML
  75. Tips & Tricks: IFC import and BIM toolbox for a fast conversion to analytical model
Installation
  1. What system requirements of PC are necessary for the installation of SCIA Engineer 16?
  2. What system requirements of PC are necessary for the installation of SCIA Engineer 15?
  3. What system requirements of PC are necessary for the installation of SCIA Engineer 14?
  4. What system requirements of PC are necessary for the installation of SCIA Engineer 2013?
  5. What system requirements of PC are necessary for the installation of SCIA Engineer 2012
  6. What system requirements of PC are necessary for the installation of SCIA Engineer 2011
  7. What system requirements of PC are necessary for the installation of SCIA Engineer 2008 and 2009?
  8. What system requirements of PC are necessary for the installation of SCIA Engineer 2010
  9. First installation of SCIA Engineer on the computer: Installation of Sentinel driver
  10. SCIA Engineer is not removed/added from the menu Add/Remove Programs
  11. How to do a batch installation of SCIA Engineer 2011?
  12. Can SCIA Engineer 2008.0 be installed on Windows Vista 64 bit?
  13. Analysis type is not available when opening a new project. Or it is not possible to calculate the project.
  14. How to increase the 2 GB limit when working with SCIA Engineer – 4 Gigabyte Tuning (4GT)
  15. How to install an RSS feed of updates of SCIA Engineer?
  16. Language module isn’t available?
  17. Error when running the Activation Utility
  18. Problem with the installation of the flexid driver. The dongle isn’t recognized by LMtools
  19. Despite the licenses for other language, no other laguage can be selected.
  20. Uninstalling of SCIA Engineer via CCleaner or registry
  21. Valid licence has not been found. SCIA Engineer cannot continue.
  22. Error message about cars.cab during installation
  23. During the installation an error comes saying „file AL8883~2.CAB” cannot be found
  24. Why can’t SCIA Engineer be installed on a pc using Avira antivirus?
  25. 3D Wind generator and Windows 8 compatibility
  26. ESA-Prima Win is starting in demoversion after the installation of SCIA Engineer
  27. How to disable the notification about new SCIA Engineer versions/patches?
  28. Profile library not found (error -4 profilb not found)
  29. What is the SCIA Engineer Product Improvement Program
Protection
  1. Network floating installation – FlexNET (or FLexLM for older versions)
  2. KEYPROG: Reprogrammation of the dongle (with psw-file with date after 17/04/2008)
  3. How can I find the right psw file?
  4. Is it possible to swap a parallel dongle with a usb dongle?
  5. When starting SCIA Engineer from VPN, the program starts in demo version.
  6. Which server licences are used by which user?
  7. After installation a new standalone version of SCIA Engineer, the licence for an older version is lost.
  8. No modules found on the client computer with a server on Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2
  9. How to place a shortcut of the protection setup on your pc?
  10. Activation through Proxy server
  11. What does the message about EnvESARemoteApp means?
  12. Lost student licence
  13. Student licence prolongation
  14. HTTPS to connect to FlexNET License Administrator
  15. Valid license has not been found (Student/Try-out/Server licenses).
  16. Selected modules in protection setup are deselected when clicking on apply/refresh
  17. Project can’t be opened with all functionalities
  18. What does the notification “Can’t open data from next version” mean?
  19. The protection gets lost every few minutes.
Modeller
  1. How to import a project from a dxf/dwg file ?
  2. What is an absence? How to use it?
  3. How to import an esa file into another esa project?
Loads / Combinations
  1. Load can not be generated from load panel
Calculation (non linear, dynamics, ...)
  1. Error during a calculation “Insufficient number of resulting eigenvalues!”
  2. How to modify the solver precision?
  3. How is the critical load coefficient determined via a stability calculation?
Results
  1. What is the convention for internal forces of beams ?
  2. What is the convention for internal forces of plates ?
  3. How is it possible to display a result for each load case or each combination?
  4. How to eliminate tension from a subsoil?
Steel
  1. Why are the steel connection results not available?
  2. How to add plasticity as a material property of 2D members?
  3. When are you obliged to perform a second order calculation for steel structures according EN 1993-1-1? And how can this be verified in…
  4. How to display the results for steel connections?
Concrete
  1. How is reinforcement calculated for slabs?
  2. Reinforcement Types in SCIA Engineer
Interface (GUI)
  1. Why are some features not available in the project ?
  2. How to rotate, move & zoom easily in SCIA Engineer?
Other topics
  1. What are the Key Benefits of SCIA’s Maintenance and Support Agreement?
  2. Where can I take a look at the webinars again?
  3. What can cause the error message „Encountered an improper argument.”?
  4. Engineering Report – Can I still use the Active Document environment, like in versions prior to v2013
  5. Engineering Report – How can I change the result type in a picture in the Engineering Report ?
  6. Engineering Report – How can I change the formatting of my report?
  7. Engineering Report – How can I add free text to my report ?
  8. Engineering Report – How can I export my report to PDF ?
  9. Engineering Report – How can I store my report templates ?
  10. Seismic design of buildings – What is IRS ?
  11. Seismic design of buildings – How can I use result storeys ?
  12. Seismic design of buildings – Is Storey results a dedicated feature for seismic calculations ?
  13. General Improvements – What added value will the Cross section enhancements bring me ?
  14. General Improvements – Where can I find the wizard for reinforcement schemes ?
  15. General Improvements – How to get the latest version of SCIA Engineer ?
  16. SCIA Support Survey – NL