StruBIM Design is a tool for the automatic design, checking and editing of structural elements of reinforced concrete, steel or composites of both steel and concrete, based on a structural model and a calculated analytical model.
The structural model can be imported by using a file of IFC format, either generated from CYPE IFC Builder or other BIM modeling programs or a file of XML format. The calculated analytical model is imported from StruBIM Analysis or from an XML file, provided that it contains the necessary information.
StruBIM Design carries out the automatic design and checking of the structural elements, columns, beams, slabs and walls, and obtains drawing plans according to the needs of the project (Record Engineer).
The program designs and checks the reinforcements of the following types of reinforced concrete elements, according to ACI 318-14, ACI 318-11 and ACI 318-08 code:
The program also designs and checks the following types of columns and beams, according to ANSI/AISC 360-10 code:
It checks the following types of composite columns, according to ANSI/AISC 360-10 code:
The program carries out checks of slab punching shear of slabs on columns without beams. It automatically generates the critical section for each column that transmits stresses to the slab. In this critical section, it verifies the resistance to tangential tension in slabs resisting flexure in both directions.
The results of the automatic design process can be edited and the checking process can be carried out after changes are made, both in reinforced concrete (sections and reinforcements) and in steel sections.
The results of the design can be directly translated into drawing plans of the different elements, columns, beams, slabs and walls, according to the representation needs and project contents (Record Engineer):
The software consists of general windows that display the model in various views and offer modification options including general data and load details. The upper segment of the main window contains four menus:
In this window, the user can obtain a 3D overview of the imported model. The user can also configure the view of the model by its elements, rotation about the axis and projection type.
This window allows the user to view the location and details of the columns in every floor. The user can customize and check the column specifications in accordance to the specified regulations. Different types of columns can be checked and dimensioned. The information is organized in a table of columns and floors, referred to as the Column schedule. A summary check list can be generated of the checks that are carried out. The checks are carried out in each point of defined forces. In this list the resulting worst points are shown. The block of columns together with a drawing of the reference sections are presented in drawings, which can also be generated by the user.
In this window, the user can view the location and details of the walls in every floor. The user can edit, rearrange and further specify wall details through the Elevations menu. The modifications made can be checked to verify if regulations are met. Walls of reinforced concrete can be designed and checked. The information is organized into a table of walls and floors. A summary check list can be generated of the checks that are carried out. The checks are carried out in the transverse section located at the beginning and ending level of each shell that make up the wall. The resulting worst points are shown in this list.
The design of elements contained in the floor plans of the building is conducted in this window, including design of slabs, concrete beams, steel beams and reinforcement for punching shear. The user can edit the reinforcements and properties of slabs, show forces and areas needing reinforcement in slabs. From this window, the beam schedules can also be accessed for concrete and steel beams.
Similar to other software, we begin with the New command from the File menu to introduce the name and description of the new project.
After continuing from the New project window by clicking on Accept, the program will ask the user if it is desired to begin the project by importing a BIM model. If the user chooses to import a BIM model, the following window will appear.
The user can either choose to import a BIM model from BIMserver.center or from a local or shared directory by selecting the desired option from the bar at the top of this window. New project assistant begin to import the project´s data. In this window the user can view the imported model, select the elements to import and adjust the drawing properties and combinations.
From the XML file the following elements and properties are imported:
In addition to the imported information, it is necessary to define the required data for the design and verification of the elements. The program determines default values that can be adjusted by the users. This can be done during the import process or at any time afterwards by selecting the General Data option.
In General Data users can modify:
- Design code: Reinforced concrete structural elements are checked in accordance with the ACI 318 code. The user can select the version to be applied:
- ACI 318-14
- ACI 318-11
- ACI 318-08
- Materials: materials can be generally defined for the project, although materials can be more specifically defined for each type of element, as well.
In this tab, a 3D view of the imported model can be viewed. As well, the general options for the project can be accessed by the user.
The user can adjust the display options for columns, walls, beams, slabs and axes, as well as the graphic options and length representation.
The software’s Columns schedule enables the design of columns from an imported model. By selecting a cell, the user can view the location of each column in the lower and upper stories and in 3D view.
To the right of the window, under Checks and forces, the user can consult the forces of each column by load case or by load combination and its buckling properties.
Under Checks and forces, by selecting the first option next to the column selection the user can access the Forces window where forces can be inputted and load cases defined.
By selecting the “gear” symbol next to the column selection the user can access the Design Properties window. Properties can either be calculated by the program or user defined.
By selecting the third option next to the column selection the user can access the Capacity volume window.
The green arrow and red to the far right of the column section will be discussed later in this section.
Stories can be edited within the Column Schedule window with the options seen in the Stories section:
Columns can also be edited within the Columns Schedule window with the options seen in the Columns section:
Design properties and other details can be assigned for specific columns or column groups using the following options in the Assign menu:
By double-clicking on a cell, the user can view or edit the basic information about the column including orientation with the floor, material and cross section type, design properties, dimensions and reinforcement.
The user can edit the following information using the three buttons found near the top of the Edit window, next to the selected story and columns:
Passes through the floor
Does not pass through the floor
Is Exempt
To overwrite a value, simply check the box in the Overwrite column and input the values that are desired in the Value column.
For steel and composite columns, the steel sections can be imported, created or modified by the user. In the Edit window, under Steel section, the user can select either New, Edit the selected type or Edit the list of elements. These options appear next to the Section series for the steel section.
The New option will allow the user to add a new section series, in addition to those which are already available. Edit the selected type will allow the user to modify the section series which is currently selected. Edit the list of elements will display all currently available section series, which can then be modified by adding a new series, editing a current series or choosing from other options such as importing new elements from a predefined section series or creating new elements based on a file.
Selecting to add or edit a series under any of these options will prompt the user to create or modify a reference and description for a series. Once this has been done and the user has chosen to either add or modify a series, a window will appear with various options for user input.
This is how the user can determine the specifications of the steel section for either a steel or composite column.
Once the program finishes the design process, green cells will appear if all criteria meet required ACI 318 regulations.
If all regulations are not met, the cells will appear red. A summary can be accessed detailing the problem(s) that occurred.
The user can access a summary with the results from all the checks performed by double-clicking icon (if regulations are met) or icon (if regulations are not met) that is seen next to the specific column under the Checks and forces section on the right-hand side.
After double-clicking icon or icon , a summary similar to the following will appear, with all invalid checks highlighted red:
The summary can then be exported in PDF, DOCX, text, HTML or RTF format by selecting the Export option in the top ribbon.
A report can be accessed of all information of the current project, including descriptions, forces, reinforcements, design properties and checks of columns, walls, slabs and beams.
Select Reports (highlighted) and the following window will appear:
In this window, the user has the option to choose exactly which items are desired to appear in the reports of the project. After making the selection and clicking accept, the following window will appear with the reports:
The reports can be printed, shared or exported by using the options in the top ribbon of the window.
The user can also view and export the column table through Drawings on the upper ribbon, selecting Add new element to the list and then Column Schedule from the Drawing Type menu.
In the Wall schedule tab, the user can click a cell to view the selected wall´s location in the lower and upper stories and in 3D view.
Stories can be edited within the Walls schedule window with the options seen in the Stories section:
Walls can also be edited within the Walls Schedule window with the options seen in the Walls section:
Similar to the Assign menu of the Columns schedule, design properties and other details can be assigned for specific columns or column groups using the following options:
By double-clicking on a cell the user can access the Edit window, where the user may view the wall sections and the reinforcement strips.
Reinforcements can be locked by clicking on the tiny “lock” symbol in the upper right hand corner of the Edit window, as highlighted below:
Reinforcement bands can be edited by double clicking on either the horizontal or vertical reinforced that is desired to edit, which will produce the Band window:
Error messages will appear as a red circle in the affected section of the wall and a red circle with a centered “x” will appear in the bottom right corner of the window. Hovering over the red circle will display the error message for the user to read. Clicking Accept will finalize the changes that were made.
As with the columns of the Column schedule, walls can be automatically designed or checked using the Analysis menu.
After designing or checking, green cells will appear if all criteria meet required ACI 318 regulations.
If any walls do not meet the specified requirements, the corresponding cells will appear red and contain an error message.
The user can access a summary with the results from all the checks performed by double-clicking icon (if regulations are met) or icon (if regulations are not met) that is seen next to the specific column under the Checks and forces section on the right-hand side. Again, any issues will be highlighted red:
The summary can then be exported in PDF, DOCX, text, HTML or RTF format by selecting the Export option in the top ribbon.
The user can view the summary with the results from all the checks performed and export it through Drawings>>Add new element to the list>>Walls schedule.
This window is for the design of elements in each level of the floor plans: concrete beams, steel beams, reinforcement concrete slabs and punching shear reinforcements.
Copy to other plan: This option allows the user to copy different defined properites of the current plans to other plants. The following can be copied:
Within the Draw menu of the Floor plans window, there are many options available to the user for editing:
Concrete or Steel beam design can be conducted in the Floor plans tab under the Beams section.
In the Floor plans tab, the user can consult imported forces and view and edit details in General data>> Typical concrete beam detail. Other details can be edited in General data including specifications for concrete, longitudinal reinforcement steel, transverse reinforcement steel and steel for steel sections.
In this window, continuous reinforcements alone or with additional reinforcements can be defined and the reinforcement labels and longitudes can be edited.
It should be noted that when beams are created within the floor plane, forces will need to be introduced to the beam(s) using this option.
Concrete beams can be designed in the Concrete beam schedule. In this window, the user can view the beams in each floor with their respective dimensions, design properties and reinforcements.
On the lower section of the screen we can see the forces, the required areas and the detail type.
The user can edit the software´s proposed reinforcements and analyze the beam.
Double-clicking the button with a graphic of a gear will allow the user to access the Design properties window. In this window, the user can choose to overwrite values for various properties or select predetermined values from the program.
Users can select the “gear” symbol next to the beam selection in order to access the Design properties window.
In this window, the user has the option to overwrite predetermined values for properties of the beams, determine whether torsional moments can or cannot be reduced by redistribution of internal forces, determine location for structural integrity requirements and define the reduction factor for reducible live loads.
Users can select the four reinforcement sections, Top, Bottom, Skin and Stirrups in order to access the Edit additional rebars window.
In this window, users have the option of inputting data pertaining to Longitudinal reinforcement and Transverse reinforcement, as well as conducting checks on the additional rebars for Design strength ratio, Reinforcement limits and Reinforcement Detailing.
As well, to the far left of the row for each column, the user has the option to lock the reinforcement of each beam, similar to locking the reinforcement of columns or walls.
Also as with columns and walls, a summary can be generated for beams. The summary shows the results and the areas where reinforcement is needed and is once again accessed by double-clicking icon or that appears in the row of the beam.
The summary can be exported by clicking on Drawing>> New drawing>> Floor plans. In this drawing the beam table and detail type of each floor are shown. This drawing can also be exported as a CAD file.
Steel beams can be designed in the Steel beam schedule. In this window, the user can view the beams in each floor with their respective dimensions, design properties and reinforcements, much like the process for concrete beams.
As with the concrete beam schedule, on the lower section of the screen we can see the forces and required areas.
Double clicking on the “gear” symbol under the Design properties column will open a window of the same name. Similar to the options available for concrete column properties, users have the option to overwrite several properties, as can be seen in the following window:
A summary can be generated for the steel beams. The summary shows the results and the areas where reinforcement is needed and is once again accessed by double-clicking the green arrow or red x that appears in the row of the beam in the Steel beam schedule after designing.
In the Floor plans tab, the imported forces can be consulted by load combination or by load case.
With the slabs menu, there are many options available to the user for the design and checking of slab reinforcement.
Finally, we can view and export drawings by clicking Drawings>> New drawing>> Floor plans. In this drawing, we can see slab reinforcements.
In the Floor plans tab, it is possible to design for punching shear reinforcement.
In this menu, the user can design for punching shear in slabs within the floor plans.
In this window, the user can choose between reinforcement of stirrups or studs. Additional information is then inputted about the details of the reinforcement, before it is drawn by the user. Once all details have been finalized, the user can draw reinforcement in the necessary areas, and once again select the Check option to ensure that the section now complies with design code regulations.
Drawings can be created from any window. In the top ribbon, next to the Save, Undo, Redo, Reports the Drawings option can be found.
Select Drawings (highlighted) and the following window will appear:
In this window, select Add new element to the list , which will prompt the Drawing Editor menu or select Edit selected element to edit an existing feature of the drawing. The following window will appear:
Select the desired Drawing type from the Drawing type drop-down menu and either click Accept or edit the configuration of the drawing, including different options depending on the drawing type, as seen above.
By selecting Title block from the Drawing selection window, the Title block selection window appears, allowing the user to add and edit a title block for the drawing. Either a previously introduced title block can be chosen and edited or a new one can be uploaded. The user has the option of selecting the height and width of the title block.
By selecting Layers, visible at the bottom of the Drawing selection window, the layers of the drawing can be defined and edited.
Selecting Layer list allows the user to access a detailed list of all layers that are available to show in the drawings.
Selecting Common to all drawings displays the Layer definition window. This same window can also be displayed for the Floor plans, Columns schedule or Walls schedule by selecting their respective buttons in the Define Layers window.
Common to all drawings allows all layers to be edited, with the changes applied to all drawings. If it is desired to define individual drawings, the user should select Floor plans, Columns schedule or Walls schedule, depending on which layer is desired to be edited.
Back in the Drawing selection window, the user may also decide the peripherals for the drawing.
Once all options have been properly selected, the user can select Accept to generate the drawing, which will open the Drawing composition window.
From the Drawing composition window, the user can now view the drawing and its components. The top ribbon displays multiple options for the drawing. New drawing will allow the user to create a new, blank drawing within this window. Delete empty spaces will eliminate any spaces void of objects from the files. Centre all drawings will restore the original position of all components in the drawing. Centre selected drawings will perform the same function, though only for drawings that have been selected.
Edit object will allow a user to move the text objects within the drawing. Move object allows objects within a drawing to be moved either within the drawing or to a different drawing. When moving an object from one drawing to another, objects linked to the selected object will also be moved. Drawing detail will allow the user to view the real layout of an object by clicking on it. This can be undone by clicking once more. Detail of all the drawings will display the real layout of all drawings, rather than just those which are selected.
Print all will print or export all drawings to a desired location. Print selection performs the same actions, though only for selected components.