A new range of software products for the mezzanine floor industry has been developed by MultiSUITE Software Ltd, a specialist engineering software developer based in Poole, Dorset, UK.

The software consists of a fully integrated design, costing, modelling, and detailing system, with data being transferred instantly from one stage to the next. This enables companies to produce cost-effective designs and full manufacturing information in a fraction of the time it currently takes using conventional methods, which rely on designing individual components rather than analysing the floor as a complete structure.

Peter Bass who is Product Manager for mezzanine applications at MultiSUITE and has been involved with the development from the beginning says:

“Once we had a complete computer model of the mezzanine it opened up all kinds of possibilities. If design parameters change such as the loading or floor height, everything is updated. The designer can get a complete redesign, new structural calculations, material quantities and a new quotation in seconds, and generating a drawing instantly in AutoCAD is a huge bonus for designers.

Also because mezzanines are normally supported on existing concrete floors, avoiding excessive column loads is vital. The software gives immediate feedback as the designer adjusts his column grid and displays foundation loads graphically whilst highlighting problem areas. It also indicates if special foundations are required which is common on multi-tier floors. ”

The software can be used on all types of mezzanine from small work platforms to larger single or multi-tier structures, and irregular floor shapes can be accommodated easily by a simple point and click system to add or remove bays.

Because the software was developed from scratch, rather than adapting existing software, it was possible to include all the necessary design features that the mezzanine industry requires, such as inset and oversail design configurations for floor joists, and special provisions for the type of decking used.

Mezzanines floors are structurally very different to traditional buildings and the software had to be flexible enough to cater for the varied methods of construction used in the UK and other countries. For example, the floor itself can consist of either closely spaced cold formed channel sections with particle board decking, or widely spaced universal beams with a galvanised structural decking material spanning between them and a wearing surface of plywood or other material. The latter method being more common in the USA.

The software operates to a range of design codes including British Standards and the new Eurocode EC3, which can offer UK designers real economies over the BS standard on most floors. As the British steel code BS5950 has now been withdrawn by the BSI, it will be increasingly important for companies to move to EC3 in the near future to comply with Building Regulations, and the software will allow them to do this effortlessly.

Peter goes on to say: “Mezzanines can vary from small raised work platforms to massive structures consisting of many floor levels. A three-tier floor was recently designed with the software measuring 180m wide x 200m long, and requiring nearly 2000 tonnes of steel. A full 3D model of the floor was created in AutoCAD directly from the MezzoQUOTE system, with full connection information. Horizontal floor plans and vertical sections were generated straight off the model.”