UnioMad 2025 connection software

We present a new, powerful and highly functional program for the design of timber connections.

The program checks every aspect that needs to be verified in the chosen connection, with a graphical representation of the layout of the fasteners in the member and a graphical representation of the utilisation ratio of each failure criterion, which is evaluated automatically as the connection is designed.

In addition, it produces a calculation report covering all possible failure modes as a PDF file. The program is very easy to use and allows the connection to be optimised quickly while the user modifies the input parameters (dowel diameter, spacings and distances, material grades, etc.).

This approach makes it a very valuable teaching tool for connection design, making it well suited to university and professional training.

Connection types included

The connection types included in the program are as follows:

1. Splices between two members 2. Simple column bases. The column may rest on a base or bottom plate, or transfer the entire gravity load through the dowels. 3. Members connected to a pinned node 4. Members passing through a node. More connection types will be added in future updates.

Data input is very intuitive: you simply go through the different tabs, entering the data as you go. Furthermore, if any values are not valid, the program flags them as they are entered.

In this new version, you can enter as many combinations as you wish and the program selects the most unfavourable combination for each check

Some of the data input screens are shown below:

Invalid data is flagged

The output is very detailed and rigorous

Anything that does not comply is indicated

If you wish, you can download a sample calculation report