> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://calcs.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Calcs.com Release Notes — January 16–30, 2026

> Beta launch of Steel Composite Beam (LRFD), major Atlas Tube connection upgrades, and new project default automation.

## What's New & Improvements

### **Engineering Calculators**

**🚀 New Features**

* [**Steel Composite Beam (LRFD)**](https://calcs.com/calculators/steelCompositeBeamLRFDAISC360-22) **🇺🇸:** **BETA** — Released a new calculator aligned with AISC 360-22 for the design of beams acting compositely with concrete slabs.
  * Supports composite/precomposite bending strength and plastic/elastic neutral axis determination.
  * Includes shear connector design, construction-stage checks (shored/unshored), and serviceability analysis for deflections and stiffness.
  * Handles metal deck or solid slabs, various deck orientations, and continuous beams.
* [**AISC 360-22 Updates**](https://calcs.com/calculators/steelBeamASD) **🇺🇸:** Upgraded **Steel Beams** and **Steel Base Plate** templates to the latest standard.
* [**Project Defaults**](https://calcs.com/docs/calculations/us/home) **🇺🇸:** Added automatic wind and tornado speed determination for ASCE 7-22 using new contour databases.
* [**Snow Loads (ASCE 7-22)**](https://calcs.com/calculators/loadsSnowASCE7-22) **🇺🇸:** Enabled API output capabilities for key results, including design pressures and drift calculations.
* [**General Beam Analysis**](https://calcs.com/calculators/analysis) **🇺🇸:** Added a load direction selector across beam calculators, allowing users to specify axial ($N_y$) or lateral ($P_x$) load transfer modes.

**🛠️ Improvements & Fixes**

* [**Project Defaults**](https://calcs.com/docs/calculations/us/home) **🇨🇦:** Corrected strength load combinations for uplifting live and earthquake loads in Canadian templates.
* [**Wood Shear Wall (ASD)**](https://calcs.com/calculators/timberShearWallASD) **🇺🇸:** Corrected Footnote 2 application to apply only to unblocked walls per SDPWS standards and fixed sheathing logic.
* [**Foundation Pier Footing**](https://calcs.com/calculators/foundationsPierFootingUSAACI318-19) **🇺🇸:** Fixed self-weight consideration logic for downward and uplift capacity calculations to ensure consistency when self-weight is excluded.

### [Atlas Tube Connection Hub](https://www.atlastube.com/hss-connections-hub/)

**🚀 New Features**

* [**Built-Up Tee Support**](https://www.atlastube.com/hss-connections-hub/) **🇨🇦:** Added built-up tee section options for HSS-to-HSS and WF-to-HSS moment connections, featuring new geometry inputs and weld calculations.
* [**Column Bracing**](https://www.atlastube.com/hss-connections-hub/) **🇨🇦:** Added a **Bolted Connection** preset, new single plate capacity sections, and comprehensive CSA S16:19 gusset plate checks (yielding, block shear, and interaction).
* [**HSS Splices**](https://www.atlastube.com/hss-connections-hub/) **🇺🇸 🇨🇦:** Introduced configurable bolt spacing inputs, replacing fixed spacing with user-controlled horizontal and vertical parameters that dynamically update diagrams.
* [**WF-to-HSS Moment Connections**](https://www.atlastube.com/hss-connections-hub/) **🇺🇸 🇨🇦:** Introduced direct factored load input options, new Shuriken bolt sizes, and effective width corrections for field-welded connections.

**🛠️ Improvements & Fixes**

* [**HSS-to-HSS Moment Connections**](https://www.atlastube.com/hss-connections-hub/) **🇺🇸 🇨🇦:** Implemented member-end distance reduction logic (AISC 360-22 / CSA S16:19), applying capacity reductions when connections are near member ends.
  * **🇺🇸:** Fixed weld directional strength factor ($k_{ds}$) from 1.0 to 1.5 for seated, fin plate, and field-welded connections.
* [**WF-to-HSS Moment Connections**](https://www.atlastube.com/hss-connections-hub/) **🇨🇦:** Added tension/compression load differentiation, splitting axial demands into separate components with specific bolt demand calculations.
* [**HSS Trusses**](https://www.atlastube.com/hss-connections-hub/) **🇺🇸:** Enhanced truss connection logic to correctly classify two-branch members with external loads and three-branch member configurations.

### [Calcs Builder](https://calcs.com/builder)

**🚀 New Features**

* **Review Mode:**
  * Introduced character-level highlighting in equation inputs, making it easier to spot specific modifications within long expressions.
  * Enabled granular widget merging when sections are added or removed and allowed commenting on removed widgets.