WeST enables to perform the analyses dealing with the determination of loads and actions on building structures in compliance with the recommendations of four design codes: SNiP 2.01.07-85, which is an interstate document of the CIS countries; SNiP 2.01.07-85* with the modification No. 2 dated 2003 as regards the snow loads, which is valid in the Russian Federation; DBN B.1.2-2:2006 with the modifications No. 1, 2 as regards the wind loads, which define loads and actions; and DSTU B V.1.2-3:2006, which defines deflections and displacements and is valid in Ukraine. Besides, the updated version of SNiP 2.01.07-85 (SP 20.13330.2011 and SP 20.13330.2016) and modification No. 1 of SNiP 2.01.07-85 of the Republic of Belarus are implemented as well.
The application handles only the most frequently occurring load cases, as well as those cases for which meeting the requirements of the design codes involves a complicated logic and which, as experience shows, often result in errors.
In addition to this function, WeST to a certain extent plays the role of a manual which can be used to check data concerning zoning of territories according to loads and actions, or to obtain other reference information.
Finally, the application can be used to store the solutions frequently used by a designer, thus creating one’s own reference information collection.
Further description of the WeST functions will combine description of the common performance capabilities, while indicated separately will be only the most significant differences related to realization of the differences contained in the requirements of the design codes. To a greater degree this concerns the differences between two versions of SNiP and DBN. DSTU, which specifies deflections and displacements, substitutes Chapter 10 of both versions of SNiP and, in comparison with this chapter, does not have any essential differences.
SNiP 2.01.07-85 and SNiP 2.01.07-85* differ only in the respect of the specification of the snow loads. Therefore, hereinafter in the text of description, we will not discriminate between these two design codes.