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SCIA Engineer: Structural Analysis & Design in an Open BIM world

Structural analysis Software and BIM​

The core of the Open BIM concept is the exchange of reference models between various disciplines.

The structural engineer communicates with designers via structural models; these are 3D as-built representations of the structure. He will use this information as a reference (the reference model) to create the analysis model, consisting mainly of 1D- and 2D-elements connecting at the analytical nodes.

Instead of modeling from scratch, today's powerful Open BIM tools make it possible to speed up this process by re-using the information of the reference model. Not connected elements are aligned, reference objects are transformed to equivalent analysis objects and subsequent changes in the reference model are propagated in a controlled manner to the engineer’s analysis model.

Open BIM workflow for the analysis of structural models

  1. Import the structural model as a reference model
  2. Convert (a part of) the structural model to an analysis model
  3. Perform the Analysis and Design and change the design accordingly
  4. Export the structural model to collaborate and coordinate

Extension to the coordination of the design and analysis

  1. Import changes in the structural model
  2. Compare to the existing analysis model
  3. Accept, decline or ignore changes
  4. Export changes in the analysis and structural model to collaborate and coordinate


Open BIM workflow for Structural Engineers: From the Architectural model to a reference model to create the analysis model

 

Open BIM with SCIA Engineer

SCIA Engineer is the only Structural Analysis software that fully supports the Open BIM concept thanks to its dedicated BIM tools for the structural engineer:


IFC 2x3 Certification

IFC is the international, fully stable and non-proprietary standard for exchanging BIM data and makes Open BIM possible. SCIA Engineer is the only CAE analysis software that is IFC 2x3 certified by buildingSMART and fully supports the implementation of the Coordination View 2.0.

More on IFC 2x3 Certification here…


Structural model and Analysis model

The TrueAnalysis technology of SCIA Engineer makes it possible to manage both the analysis model and a structural reference model in the same project and environment:

  • Import, visualize and examine the structural reference model in your analysis software
  • Use the structural model to create the analysis model (in combination with member recognizer and alignment)
  • Automatically derive the structural model from the analysis model
  • Share the structural model with other disciplines
  • Create General Arrangement drawings from the structural model directly in Scia Engineer


Member recognizer

Smart shape-recognition algorithms make it possible to convert any structural object, both simple and complex, to equivalent analytical members. Fast and easy recognition of the geometry, cross section and material.


SCIA Engineer can recognize solids and convert them into members which can be used for calculation
 

Alignment

  • Create the analysis model with fast and easy to use tools
  • The analysis model is built by the Engineer, in his analysis software, to keep control over the analysis model and his engineering responsibilities
  • Move, trim or extend members to have a clean, connected analysis model
  • Control or change the analysis model without changing the structural model
  • Use the Live preview of the result of alignment before accepting it


Automatically align the structural model to get a correct analytical model
 

Model Update

Revision and coordination is an important part of the Open BIM workflow. In order to manage the changes as an Engineer, a tool to compare projects is essential. Model Update gives you more power and better insight over the changes that occurred and the ability to accept or deny them

  • Compare models to see what has been changed because of revision with a clear color coding
  • Gain time by applying the changes to the current analysis model instead of remodeling
  • Keep control over the analysis model by accepting only relevant changes because of revision without the loss of earlier work


Accept changes in the project to keep control over revisions in the analysis model