This month, we’ve made a set of practical updates to the Concrete Wall Calculator for AS 3600:2018, improving its usability based on direct feedback from engineers using it in real projects. We’ve also introduced tornado load calculations for Components and Cladding to support engineers working under IBC 2024 and ASCE 7-22, helping streamline compliance in tornado-prone regions.

Wall Design

Updated concrete wall calculator tailored to real project needs

Reinforced concrete walls are critical for structural performance, especially for fire resistance, axial capacity, and stability under lateral loads.

Based on real-world feedback from engineers using the calculator, we’ve made several usability and compliance upgrades to streamline your workflow.

What’s new:

• Wall thickness input now in millimetres for easier entry
• Built-in fire resistance and environmental durability checks based on AS 3600 Clause 5.6
• New load case analysis section to calculate factored loads from user-defined actions
• Automatic detection of single vs. double reinforcement based on thickness, cover, and fire rating
• Smarter validation to highlight when your design doesn’t meet AS 3600 fire or durability requirements

These improvements help you work faster and more confidently while staying fully compliant, without switching between spreadsheets or reference tables.

🎥 Watch the walkthrough

Load Analysis

Easily calculate tornado wind pressures to IBC 2024

With the adoption of ASCE 7-22 and IBC 2024, engineers working on essential and critical facilities in tornado-prone regions now need to factor in tornado wind pressures for Components and Cladding.

ClearCalcs now includes support for tornado site parameters when IBC 2024 is selected. This saves engineers more than an hour of manual calculations and ensures compliance with Chapter 32.

How the calculator helps you:

• Add tornado-prone region and design wind speed under Project Defaults
• Automatically calculates tornado pressures for Components and Cladding
• Applies relevant ASCE 7-22 logic without needing external tools or spreadsheets

This feature is ideal for hospitals, emergency response centers, and other Risk Category III and IV structures in regions affected by high-intensity wind events.

🎥 Watch the walkthrough

That’s all for this month! Got feedback on these updates or ideas for new features? We’d love to hear from you. Join the conversation in the Blueprint forum or reply with your thoughts.