A complete software package for 2D/3D Structural Design of Concrete Frames with advanced RC Details by Apostolos Konstandinides www.pi.gr
Main Features: Single, user friendly, visual (2D&3D) input of structural framework, providing all necessary data for structural computations, rebar details, blue prints and table/text/drawing printouts. Automatic generation of space frame model and load bearing model. Complete Structural Analysis & Design of RC concrete structures. Real time 3D modal simulation and animation of seismic behavior. Automatic calculation and representation of envelopes of the resulted 2D and 3D graphs (moments, etc ). Accurate reinforcement design of slabs, beams, columns and foundation. Visual problem inspection and detection All structural elements with strength problems are highlighted and easily detected by the user. Automatic, intelligent and expert default reinforcement settings and complete structural framework formation. Automatic 2D and 3D generation of cross sections with elevations and dimensions. Real Time 3D precise visualization of steel bars inside the concrete framework. Analytical reinforcement estimation tables. Analytical bill of materials and cost estimation. Complete analytical printouts of all input and output data, for easy reference and project documentation. Blue print setup with intelligent manipulation of structural framework drawings and cross sections. Easy review and editing with automatic data re-computation and 2D & 3D drawing regeneration. Import/Export of.dwg and.dxf file formats. SAP input/output compatibility. Proprietary pi-4d OpEn Technology (pi-systems 4D Operating Environment): innovative 3D stereoscopic environment developed in C++ and OpenGL for Windows XP. Scientific and Academic documentation and validation of reliability and precision. 20 times faster and more effective than any other combination of engineering software for structural Analysis, Design and Detailing. The project presented below including structural elements input/modifications, recalculations and complete 2D & 3D drawing generations/regenerations, reinforcement bar tables calculation/ formation and all 3D detailing was performed in approx. 20 minutes.
2D& 3D Visual Input The structural Engineer can introduce the concrete building framework by graphically describing its real form or by specifying its coordinates. The output is a 2D drawing and a 3D image, simultaneously. In this way, possible mistakes during data entry process are easily detected and corrected. traces the geometry of every floor, the continuation of concrete slabs, calculates the specifications, and recommends the required thickness for the concrete slabs. 3
Automatic Model Generation automatically calculates ground tensions and generates the foundation. The Structural Engineer, by simply inspecting the ground stresses, is able to decide about the appropriate foundation adjustments. 4
Complete Structural Analysis & Design constructs a virtual structural framework and creates the corresponding space frame model with no des, bars, diaphragms and rigid bodies. The space frame and the load bearing simulation models are automatically generated and represented, so as the structural Engineer can easily inspect them. 5
Seismic Simulation & Animation In this virtual reality environment, the structural Engineer can simulate the seismic response of the building, in real time. The structural framework, here, has been divided into 18,000 triangles. The coordinates of the vertices of each of these triangles are recalculated and are projected onto the screen in real time, at an approximate rate of 40 times per second. 6
2D & 3D graphs The envolopes of moments are generated automatically throughout the structural framework or a selected subset (eg. on structural panel with snap values of 0,2 or 0,1m or in critical points. pi-4d OpEn Technology This revolutionary technology developed in C++, for Windows XP platform, is fully boosted by its own stereoscopic environment and OpenGL. It provides instantaneously zoom and pan of 2D/ 3D drawings and real time modal simulation of concrete frames' seismic behavior. 7
RC Design & Drawings The appropriate design values and the required steel reinforcement in cm² are calculated along the slabs spans and the slab supports as well as onto the foundation footings. calculates the strength of each structural element, in steps of 0,2 or 0,1 m or in critical points, and calculates the required steel reiforcement in cm². 8
maintains all geometry and reinforcement related information and is able to generate detailed drawings. The Structural Engineer is able to edit the reinforcement in a simple manner, in order to improve the overall presentation of drawings 9
3D Visualizations The Structural Engineer can view in 3D all steel reinforcement inside the structural elements. With the use of real time zoom and pan features, the immediate printout capability in regular or stereoscopic 3D, the contractor can manufacture and place the reinforcement stirrups and steel bars required for the concrete framework. 10
Rebar Detailing As maintains all information about the reinforcement, formulates accurate analytical tables of the overall building reinforcement. Stereoscopic representation on screen and paper. Any 3D representation ( structural framework, space frame's graphs, seismic simulation /animation, reinforcement steel bars and stirrups) can automatically betransformed to a stereoscopic representation, in real time. Simplest red-blue stereoscopic method (no special graphic capability required) or the most sophisticated passive stereoscopic technique StereoVIEW (worldwide patented by pi- SYSTEMS) may be used. 11
framework drawing
RC Detail Realistic Presentation of the Framework Sample of real drawing paper The color, the thickness of the lines, the type of fill, the fonts as well as any other drawing feature can be edited and customized according to the Engineer's particular choice and style. cross section Α-Α
Rebar Detailing As maintains all information about the reinforcement can also calculate the exact detailing: e.g. about the pins and the drums used for the bending of the steel bars, as well as about the detailed steel bars geometry. can provide with the appropriate data the automated steel bar formation NC machines. Editing 2D/ 3D selection capability for structural elements (slabs, beams, columns, foundation) to be edited. Upon any change, an automatic recalculation/regeneration of space frame and loads model takes place as well as an immediate update of 2D/ 3D drawings. All sizes/ dimensions are updated automatically, upon any structural element addition/ deletion or upon any size changes. The framework and the cross sections drawings are updated automatically, upon any geometric or reinforcement changes. 14
Visual Problem Detection The structural Engineer can easily inspect and detect all structural elements for possible strength problems. The weak elements are highlighted with different colour in order to be easily detected. All data and all calculated results of the project are presented through printouts, tables, drawings and /or images. 15
Automatic 2D & 3D Sections Generation All necessary cross sections can be generated upon request and all types of dimensions can be generated through simple commands. can generate all types of in 2D and 3D cross sections automatically and in real time. Through simple commands,the engineer may add critical info details on the cross section drawing (elevations, dimensions, etc.) in order to improve the quality of drawings. 16
Bill of Materials & Cost Estimation All material quantities and labor costs are estimated per floor and per category of structural element. Compatibility All dwg/ dxf files can be imported and used as a " live" background to facilitate the structural framework input process. All drawings (plans, cross sections, framework, RC details, images, etc. ) can be exported as dwg/ dxf and/or jpg f iles. SAP compatible files ( s2k ) can be created and exported. 17
Bill of Materials & Cost Estimation Based upon preset material and labor unit costs, the engineer can estimate the total cost of the project with accuracy. 18
Analytical Printouts Printouts contain all project data and results in table format as well as in picture format. Beam printouts contain all dimensions, loads, moments envelopes and shear forces envelopes. 19
Intelligent Manipulation of Plotting The engineer can easily accommodate all drawings in a single print out. Further to 2D framework drawings and cross sections, the engineer can also include 3D views and any other CAD drawing, image or picture. Any changes that are applied to the project, cause an automatic recalculation of data and regeneration of the affected 2D/3D drawings, printouts and Tables. 20
Validation & Documentation Validation and Documentation The computational kernel of has been developed, tested and documented in cooperation with the Laboratory of Structural Engineering of National Technical University of Athens. Furthermore, the results were thoroughly tested, compared and verified with some of the finest worldwide structural engineering software ( SAP2000 and ETABS ). Finally, reliability is guaranteed by: - the advanced 3D viewing of the structural framework, - the space frame 3D direct inspection, - the 3D dynamic and seismic response simulation, - the 3D moments and shear forces graphs, - the 3D representation of reinforcement details. With the Structural Engineer can easily detect any input/output structural problem with the help of this innovative visualization technology. 21
Stereoscopic output 22
Stereoscopic output Please use the Red-Blue Glasses to have a Stereoscopic view of the above images 23
for Windows XP, 2000 pi-systems INTERNATIONAL SA 4 Fokianou Str. - 116 35 Athens GREECE, e-mail: info@pi.gr Phone: +30 210-75 69 600 (20 lines), Fax: +30 210-75 69 609