EasyFix 5 – twenty years of experience and the most significant changes in the history of the software
Not every new version of software deserves to be called a major release. EasyFix 5 certainly does.
Since 2006, EasyFix has supported designers, engineers and technical advisors in making some of the most challenging design decisions. Over the past two decades, the software has grown together with market requirements: new modules, new standards, new types of base materials and new products. Version 5, however, is more than just another iteration. It is a change that pushes the boundaries of what calculation software can provide to designers. In the year marking the 20th anniversary of EasyFix, we are giving users a version that has been significantly expanded in terms of calculation capabilities and practical applications.
FEM in EasyFix – a milestone
If there is one change that defines EasyFix 5 more than any other, it is the introduction of Finite Element Method (FEM) analysis into fixing calculations in concrete. This is the feature that changes the nature of the software most significantly and takes it to a higher level of engineering advancement. What does this mean in practice?
Until now, calculations were based on a simplified connection model. EasyFix 5 allows users to go much further: to take into account the real stiffness of the concrete base material, the steel base plate and selected anchors, and to analyse how the connection actually behaves under load. The result is not only the final calculation output, but also the ability to view stress and strain maps of the base plate directly in the software. Users can choose between two analysis modes:
- Rigid baseplate (FEM) – a simplified method that assumes no baseplate deformation. Fast, conservative and ready to use in standard cases.
- Elastic baseplate (FEM) – an advanced method that takes real deformations into account. Designed for cases where precision is critical.
FEM is an approach well known from advanced engineering tools. In EasyFix 5, it becomes available directly in the Rawlplug fixing design environment. This applies to a wide range of modules and product groups: Concrete, Masonry, Balustrade, Lighting pole, Noise barriers, as well as all mechanical and bonded anchors, concrete screws and frame fixings.
What else is new in EasyFix 5?
FEM is the biggest change, but it is not the only one. EasyFix 5 is a comprehensive upgrade that improves almost every module of the software.
Wind load calculations and failure modes
The Wind Loads module has been enhanced in line with the latest ETA, EAD and CEN/TS guidelines. One of the key new features is the inclusion of all potential failure modes of the connection – both pull-out of the fastener from the base material and pull-through of the fastener through the fixture – together with the relevant safety factors. In many cases, pull-through proves to be the weakest point of the connection:
- pull-through of the fastener through trapezoidal sheet metal or sandwich panels – self-drilling screws, concrete screws;
- pull-through of the fastener through thermal insulation in ETICS systems – façade fixings;
- failure of the waterproofing membrane on flat roofs – roofing fasteners.
This is an important enhancement for designers working on building projects involving lightweight roof and façade structures, as well as for specialists dealing with insulation in ETICS systems.
For contractors, an important change is the introduction of new scalable drawings and installation tables in design reports, making it easier to work directly on site. This is an important direction of development, as good calculation software does not end with the result itself. Equally important is how the user moves through the design process and how the generated data, reports and drawings are later used in further work.
Stand-off application – full analysis
The Concrete module gains something that has often been missing in day-to-day work: detailed analysis of stand-off application, including:
- selection of nut and washer sets;
- verification of the available space under the base plate; and
- consideration of packing shims, which are particularly important in ventilated façade systems.
For designers of ventilated façades, this is one of the most practical changes in this version.
New R-KF2 resin and extended masonry base materials
The Masonry module now supports the new R-KF2 resin and several new types of base materials, including solid concrete blocks, known as blockwork, which are a key type of base material in the UK and Irish markets. For companies operating in the UK and Ireland region, this is a significant extension of the available design capabilities.
Rebar and fire exposure calculations
The Rebar module has been optimised in the area of calculations for fire exposure. The software now uses data directly from Fire Test Reports, resulting in significantly more accurate results – particularly for perpendicular reinforced concrete joints, such as slab-to-wall connections.
Wood construction screws
The Procut wood construction screws module has also been updated with data from the new ETA document, extending the range of available design possibilities. The availability of smaller Procut screw diameters may prove particularly useful in cases involving limited space and close edge distances.
A new look – not only a technical upgrade
EasyFix 5 also brings a visual refresh. The software now features new 3D model graphics, refreshed 2D icons and redesigned panel layouts, making the overall user environment more modern, consistent and clear.
Over the past 20 years, the EasyFix interface has evolved together with user requirements, but version 5 introduces one of the most significant visual changes in the history of the software. This refresh is not only about aesthetics – it better reflects the way designers and technical specialists work with the software in their day-to-day tasks.
EasyFix 5 – free of charge, as always
The new EasyFix 5 shows the direction in which the software is developing: greater analysis precision, a wider range of applications and a more convenient working environment. This development is driven by real user needs and practical design experience.
We would like to thank everyone who has placed their trust in EasyFix over the past 20 years. It is thanks to your day-to-day work with the software, completed projects and real market needs that we can continue developing it into an even more advanced and useful tool.
EasyFix remains completely free of charge. All you need to do is register, download the software and launch it. Version 5 is available for Windows and macOS.