VERSION 7
Download Demo - To test Version 7.1 in demo mode, simply download and continue through without registration codes. Please be sure not to install on a computer that has Descon already installed.*
Download Version 7.1.5 Version 7.1 is for all AMP (Annual Maintenance Plan) holders, as well as any non-AMP holders who have specially purchased the 7.1 upgrade.*
Download Version 7.0.17 Version 7.0 is for non-AMP (Annual Maintenance Plan) holders.*
Set-up your free 7 day trial of our Descon 8 Premium (Next) Subscription. Descon 8 is 5x faster than Descon 7!
Download Version 7.1.5 Version 7.1 is for all AMP (Annual Maintenance Plan) holders, as well as any non-AMP holders who have specially purchased the 7.1 upgrade.*
Download Version 7.0.17 Version 7.0 is for non-AMP (Annual Maintenance Plan) holders.*
Set-up your free 7 day trial of our Descon 8 Premium (Next) Subscription. Descon 8 is 5x faster than Descon 7!
This will download a zip file, which will need to be extracted onto your computer. Once this is complete, please double-click on setup.exe (not DesconPlus-Installer.msi), which will guide you through the setup/installation process. Customers using a 64-bit version of Microsoft Office will need to download the 2007 Office System Driver: Data Connectivity Components in order for the Excel Import feature in versions 7.1+ to work.
*Not sure which option you purchased? Contact us.
7.1.5/7.0.17
1. License Manager
a. Fixed an issue where, with network licenses, the program would ask the user to save even if the check-out process encountered an error, forcing the program to close.
b. Removed unnecessary network communication attempts.
c. Added more descriptive error messages for license errors.
b. Removed unnecessary network communication attempts.
c. Added more descriptive error messages for license errors.
2. DesconWin
a. Fixed an issue where for some right-side end plate moment connections the program was using an incorrect Nominal Tensile Stress, Fnt, for the bolts.
b. Fixed an issue where the program could choose an overly conservative column stiffener thickness.
c. Fixed an issue where for some right-side prequalified end plate moment connections the program was using an incorrect ��pfo�� value.
b. Fixed an issue where the program could choose an overly conservative column stiffener thickness.
c. Fixed an issue where for some right-side prequalified end plate moment connections the program was using an incorrect ��pfo�� value.
2. DesconBrace
a. Fixed an issue where the program was incorrectly calculating moment of inertia for Pipe and Round HSS shapes. This was causing incorrect radius of gyration and KL/r results for these shapes.
b. Fixed an issue where for some left side clip angle connections the gage on column value was initializing incorrectly and was not able to be manually edited.
b. Fixed an issue where for some left side clip angle connections the gage on column value was initializing incorrectly and was not able to be manually edited.
7.1.4/7.0.16
1. License Manager
a. Fixed an issue where network licenses would become "stuck" after the program closed unexpectedly.
2. DesconWin
a. Fixed an issue where the program was not calculating column flange stiffener forces correctly for right-side beam connections.
b. Fixed an issue where Metric version would crash upon pressing ��Report�� for some moment connections.
c. Fixed various ��Type Mismatch�� errors, including one occurring for seismically pre-qualified end-plate moment connections in the ASD version.
d. Fixed an issue where the assigned column stiffener width, bs, was too small, which could lead to overly thick stiffener designs.
e. Fixed an issue where the equation for fillet weld size for stiffeners to column web was incorrect for the ASD version.
f. Fixed an issue for ASD pre-qualified moment connection design where bolt shear capacity, Fv, being used was a zero value.
g. Fixed an issue for pre-qualified moment connection design where distance from column face to plastic hinge, Sh, was being calculated incorrectly.
b. Fixed an issue where Metric version would crash upon pressing ��Report�� for some moment connections.
c. Fixed various ��Type Mismatch�� errors, including one occurring for seismically pre-qualified end-plate moment connections in the ASD version.
d. Fixed an issue where the assigned column stiffener width, bs, was too small, which could lead to overly thick stiffener designs.
e. Fixed an issue where the equation for fillet weld size for stiffeners to column web was incorrect for the ASD version.
f. Fixed an issue for ASD pre-qualified moment connection design where bolt shear capacity, Fv, being used was a zero value.
g. Fixed an issue for pre-qualified moment connection design where distance from column face to plastic hinge, Sh, was being calculated incorrectly.
7.1.3/7.0.15
1. License Manager
a. Fixed an issue where the license server was returning a 403 error, or closing the connection unexpectedly.
2. DesconWin
a. Fixed an issue for Beam to HSS column moment connections where the program report was not printing the Phi or Omega factor in local yielding of plate/flange equations.
7.1.2/7.0.14
1. DesconBrace
a. Fixed an issue for chevron brace type connections where the gusset edge forces H, V and M were not calculating correctly.
b. For chevron brace type connections, force equations for beam web local yielding and beam web crippling have been updated to V+4M/L to match current AISC methodology.
c. Fixed an issue for end plate connections where the program was comparing bolt tension strength and weld strength to 0 kips instead of the inputted tension value.
d. Fixed an issue where for some clip angle connections the "Vert. Edge Dist. on Angle" value was the distance to toe edge instead of to the cut edge of the angle.
e. Fixed an issue where the allowable "Min. Edge Dist." and "Min. gage" dimensions were incorrect.
f. Fixed an issue where the block shear area, An2, for bolted connections to the gusset and the beam web are not calculating properly.
g. Fixed an issue where the program in some circumstances was using and/or displaying incorrect Lv values when calculating An1 for block shear.
h. Fixed an issue for left-side beams and braces framing into the column web with double angles where the program erroneously took the bolt gage in the column web to be zero. This led to the program not performing a tension/prying check on the angles.
i. Fixed an issue where the transfer force in fabricated tee or end-plate to HSS column connections was not included in the design calculations.
j. Fixed an issue for rectangular HSS brace members in which B and H values were switched in the equation for ��x,�� resulting in incorrect ��x�� and ��U�� values.
k. Fixed an issue in metric version of DesconBrace where tension capacity values did not have proper scientific notation of "x10^n". This was not an issue for the imperial version.
l. Fixed an issue for single plate connection of gusset to column where program did not calculate load angle (Theta = atan(H/V)) or ��A�� correctly for gusset tear-out.
m. Fixed an issue where the program was using Fy of column instead of the Fy of the single plate in yielding calculation.
n. Fixed an issue for end plate connections to column where program was making Tu a zero value in equation: n*(Phi*rn)*(1-Tu/(1.13*Tm*n)), when it should have been the tensile load on the connection.
b. For chevron brace type connections, force equations for beam web local yielding and beam web crippling have been updated to V+4M/L to match current AISC methodology.
c. Fixed an issue for end plate connections where the program was comparing bolt tension strength and weld strength to 0 kips instead of the inputted tension value.
d. Fixed an issue where for some clip angle connections the "Vert. Edge Dist. on Angle" value was the distance to toe edge instead of to the cut edge of the angle.
e. Fixed an issue where the allowable "Min. Edge Dist." and "Min. gage" dimensions were incorrect.
f. Fixed an issue where the block shear area, An2, for bolted connections to the gusset and the beam web are not calculating properly.
g. Fixed an issue where the program in some circumstances was using and/or displaying incorrect Lv values when calculating An1 for block shear.
h. Fixed an issue for left-side beams and braces framing into the column web with double angles where the program erroneously took the bolt gage in the column web to be zero. This led to the program not performing a tension/prying check on the angles.
i. Fixed an issue where the transfer force in fabricated tee or end-plate to HSS column connections was not included in the design calculations.
j. Fixed an issue for rectangular HSS brace members in which B and H values were switched in the equation for ��x,�� resulting in incorrect ��x�� and ��U�� values.
k. Fixed an issue in metric version of DesconBrace where tension capacity values did not have proper scientific notation of "x10^n". This was not an issue for the imperial version.
l. Fixed an issue for single plate connection of gusset to column where program did not calculate load angle (Theta = atan(H/V)) or ��A�� correctly for gusset tear-out.
m. Fixed an issue where the program was using Fy of column instead of the Fy of the single plate in yielding calculation.
n. Fixed an issue for end plate connections to column where program was making Tu a zero value in equation: n*(Phi*rn)*(1-Tu/(1.13*Tm*n)), when it should have been the tensile load on the connection.
2. DesconWin
a. Fixed an issue where the program was not calculating column flange stiffener forces correctly.
b. Fixed an issue for Beam to HSS column moment connections where program was not applying the Phi or Omega factor in local yielding of plate/flange equation: Rn = 10*Fy*t^2*(b1/b0)*Q
c. Fixed an issue where in some configurations the calculation of the column Local Web Yielding Strength was incorrect for moment-connected left-side beams.
b. Fixed an issue for Beam to HSS column moment connections where program was not applying the Phi or Omega factor in local yielding of plate/flange equation: Rn = 10*Fy*t^2*(b1/b0)*Q
c. Fixed an issue where in some configurations the calculation of the column Local Web Yielding Strength was incorrect for moment-connected left-side beams.
7.1.1
1. DesconBrace
a. Fixed an issue where user-imported shape names were imported twice, but actual shapes were only imported once, causing erroneous listings.
b. Addressed a miscalculation in the report where the horizontal force in Beam Web Local Yielding was half it's correct value in some cases.
b. Addressed a miscalculation in the report where the horizontal force in Beam Web Local Yielding was half it's correct value in some cases.
2. License Manager
a. Fixed an issue with Network licenses where exiting the program would "Check-In" two or more licenses, in some cases. This caused an occasional license error for some users.
7.1.0
1. DesconBrace
a. Added a feature which allows users to import values for designing connections through Microsoft Excel.
2. DesconWin
a. Added a feature which allows users to import values for designing connections through Microsoft Excel.
7.0.13
1. DesconBrace
a. Fixed an issue where user-imported shape names were imported twice, but actual shapes were only imported once, causing erroneous listings.
b. Addressed a miscalculation in the report where the horizontal force in Beam Web Local Yielding was half it's correct value in some cases.
b. Addressed a miscalculation in the report where the horizontal force in Beam Web Local Yielding was half it's correct value in some cases.
2. License Manager
a. Fixed an issue with Network licenses where exiting the program would "Check-In" two or more licenses, in some cases. This caused an occasional license error for some users.
7.00.12
1. License Manager
a. Fixed an issue on Windows XP where the Company Info button produced errors.
b. Fixed an issue where Check-out button did not work properly in some rare cases.
c. Fixed an issue where the License Manager would occasionally fail to run on Windows XP.
b. Fixed an issue where Check-out button did not work properly in some rare cases.
c. Fixed an issue where the License Manager would occasionally fail to run on Windows XP.
2. DesconBrace
a. Fixed an issue when using certain angle size and gauge combinations, the calculations were skipped over when printing the report.
7.00.11
1. License Manager
a. Eliminated the false error message upon Check-Out: "License was not Checked-Out. No Licenses are available."
2. DesconBrace
a. Program no longer closes after clicking 'Cancel' in "Save file before exiting?" dialogue box.
b. Program no longer gives "Runtime Error 380" when loading a user-generated angles file.
b. Program no longer gives "Runtime Error 380" when loading a user-generated angles file.
3. DesconWin
a. Program no longer closes after clicking 'Cancel' in "Save file before exiting?" dialogue box.
b. Program no longer gives "Division by Zero" error when in check mode and applying new moment values.
c. Fixed compression stiffener calculation error (conservative)
b. Program no longer gives "Division by Zero" error when in check mode and applying new moment values.
c. Fixed compression stiffener calculation error (conservative)
7.00.10
1. License Manager
a. Removed all direct MySQL calls (only port 80/HTTP is used).
b. Better international support.
c. Fixed problem where licenses got stuck on Check-Out if network environment had changed.
b. Better international support.
c. Fixed problem where licenses got stuck on Check-Out if network environment had changed.
2. DesconBrace
a. Removed all direct MySQL calls (only port 80/HTTP is used).
b. Better international support.
b. Better international support.
3. DesconWin
a. Removed all direct MySQL calls (only port 80/HTTP is used).
b. Better international support.
b. Better international support.
7.00.09
1. DesconBrace
a. Addressed issue where program failed redistribute the load Vb back to the gusset connection.
2. DesconWin
a. Fixed miscalculation with 2-sided Extended shear plate bolts
b. Fixed issue where sending report to .txt duplicates the report within the file.
b. Fixed issue where sending report to .txt duplicates the report within the file.
7.00.08
1. DesconWin
a. Error when NG count is more than 20
7.00.07
1. DesconBrace
a. Issue with brace tension/compression force input
7.00.06
1. DesconBrace
a. Added version number to printed output
b. Corrected print error for single plate beam connection to HSS column
c. Corrected print error for HSS brace to gusset weld design
d. Removed Rt & Ry from angle block shear rupture equation
b. Corrected print error for single plate beam connection to HSS column
c. Corrected print error for HSS brace to gusset weld design
d. Removed Rt & Ry from angle block shear rupture equation
7.00.05
1. DesconBrace
a. Issue with brace tension/compression force input
7.00.04
1. DesconBrace
a. Error that occurs with Network licensing in some conditions
b. Graphic printing upside down in some instances
c. Stack Overflow error when selecting brace in some instances
b. Graphic printing upside down in some instances
c. Stack Overflow error when selecting brace in some instances
2. DesconWin
a. Error that occurs with Network licensing in some conditions
b. Graphic printing upside down in some instances
c. Print graphic text scaling has been modified to match DesconBrace-type text scaling
d. Section modulus error when adding reinforcement plates in some cases
b. Graphic printing upside down in some instances
c. Print graphic text scaling has been modified to match DesconBrace-type text scaling
d. Section modulus error when adding reinforcement plates in some cases
7.00.03
1. DesconBrace
a. Design Issue when Tension force is 0
b. Bolted HSS brace to gusset display error
b. Bolted HSS brace to gusset display error
7.00.02
1. DesconBrace
a. Horizontal force in single plate connection to HSS wall (wall check)
b. Error with license read in some instances
b. Error with license read in some instances
2. DesconWin
a. Error with license read in some instances
7.00.01
1. DesconBrace
a. Stop Error when printing
7.00.00
1. License Management
a. Stand-Alone: The new stand-alone license allows you to install the software on any number of computers, then check-out and check-in the license. When a license is checked out, the computer must be connected to the internet, and it pulls one license from each available module. Once the user is done on that computer, the license can be checked�in,�the computer must be connected to the internet for this stage also.
b.�Network: The new network license is revolutionary. Once the software has been registered on a specific computer (the license may be registered on any number of computers owned by the respective company), the user simply has to choose the module desired, and that module will run, if there is a license available. All license management is done behind the scenes over the internet, so each user��s computer must be connected to the internet.
c. This new system almost guarantees software license compliance.
b.�Network: The new network license is revolutionary. Once the software has been registered on a specific computer (the license may be registered on any number of computers owned by the respective company), the user simply has to choose the module desired, and that module will run, if there is a license available. All license management is done behind the scenes over the internet, so each user��s computer must be connected to the internet.
c. This new system almost guarantees software license compliance.
2. AISC 2010 codes
a. The Specification button in both�DesconWin�and�DesconBrace�now has the option to switch between the 13th�and 14th�Edition steel code, without re-starting the connection. Switching to 14th Edition uses the increased bolt shear strengths corresponding to AISC 360-10. It does not include other new provisions of AISC 360-10 and 341-10.
3.�File Type Association
a. Now all of your�DesconWin�and�DesconBrace�files are recognized by their extension, and may be opened simply by double-clicking on the filename. This is a huge convenience boost, and time-saver.
4. Re-Branding
a.�DesconWin�and�DesconBrace�are now completely re-branded to correspond to the new ownership of�Descon�Plus.
5. Infrastructure
a.�Both software packages have had their source code upgraded to allow better interaction with current operating systems.
b.�Windows 7 and Windows 8 are now officially supported by both�DesconWin�and�DesconBrace.
c.�Portions of code have been fully upgraded to the latest framework, and the rest is still in re-development.
b.�Windows 7 and Windows 8 are now officially supported by both�DesconWin�and�DesconBrace.
c.�Portions of code have been fully upgraded to the latest framework, and the rest is still in re-development.
6. Support
a.�Links to the online help and reference database are now coded into the software for easier access.
b.�A large amount of forum interaction has allowed us to provide you with updates per your request.
b.�A large amount of forum interaction has allowed us to provide you with updates per your request.