Master’s Thesis, June 2010 
 
 
 

Structural modelling and analysis using BIM tools 
 
 
 
Master of Science in Civil Engineering 
The School of Civil Engineering, Aalborg University 
 
 
Anne Kathrine Nielsen & Søren Madsen 
 
 
 
 Faculties of Engineering, Science and Medicine

The School of Civil Engineering

Aalborg University
Sohngaardsholmsvej 57
DK-9000 Aalborg
Phone +45 9940 8530
http://bsn.aau.dk

Title: Synopsis:
Structural modelling and
analysis using BIM tools
This study will focus on the structural engineering
part in the detail design phase of the building
Theme:
process.
Master’s Thesis
Different S-BIM tools are evaluated through ana-
Project period: lyses of five structures with varying complexity,
1st of February to the different section properties, geometry, material
9th of June 2010 properties and so on.

The S-BIM tools evaluated are:

Made by: • Add-on tool for Revit Structure
Anne Kathrine Nielsen
• Direct link between Revit and Robot
Søren Madsen
• Direct link between Revit and StaadPro
• Indirect link between Revit and Robot
Supervisor: via IFC
Poul Henning Kirkegaard
The Revit add-on tool tested can be rather useful
for calculating section forces and deflection in
Editions: feasibility studies if a ’load-takedown’ feature is
3 introduced.

It is found that the direct links in general are best.

Number of pages:
Regarding timber structures, the link between Re-
81
vit and Robot works better than the link between
Revit and StaadPro.
Appendices:
7 The tested IFC exchange file format, IFC Coordi-
nation View, was not found suitable for the tests
performed in this study.
Completed:
9th of June 2010

The content of the report is freely available, but publication (with source reference) is only allowed with agreement by the author.
Preface
This study is conducted at the 4th semester of the Master of Science Programme in Civil Engi-
neering at Aalborg University. The title of the project is Structural modelling and analysis using
BIM tools. The report has been composed in the period from the 1st of February 2010 to the 9th
of June 2010. The study has been supervised by Associate Professor Poul Henning Kirkegaard.

The authors would like to thank:

• Elizabeth Shulok from Structural Integrators for technical support to the software appli-
cation SI Xchange for Revit and STAAD.
• Rambøll in Aalborg for providing digital models of the House of Music in Aalborg, Den-
mark.

In extension to this report a CD-ROM containing the employed models is enclosed. In the
report the CD-ROM is referred to when relevant. The contents of the enclosed CD-ROM are
listed in Appendix A.

References are provided by author and year [Author, year]. The references are listed in the
Bibliography as:

• Books: Author. Title. Publisher, Year. ISBN.

• Articles: Author. Title. Journal, Volume(Number):Pages, Year.
• Web pages: Author. Title, Year. URL-address. Date visited.

Aalborg, June 2010

Anne Kathrine Nielsen Søren Madsen

iii
Summary in Danish

Denne rapport er udarbejdet på 4. semester af kandidatuddannelsen i Bygge- & Anlægskon-

struktion, Aalborg Universitet. Rapportens titel, oversat til dansk, er:

Strukturel modellering og analyse ved hjælp af BIM værktøjer

Denne rapport fokuserer på den strukturelle del af designfasen i byggeprocessen, idet mulighe-
den for udveksling af data, fra den Strukturelle Bygnings Informations Model til konstruktion-
singeniørens beregningsværktøjer, behandles. Endvidere vurderes gyldigheden af de, i bereg-
ningsværktøjerne, opnåede resultater. I det følgende beskrives indholdet i de enkelte kapitler.

Kapitel 1
I første kapitel gives en introduktion til byggeprocessen og fordelene ved at anvende Bygnings
Informations Modellering (BIM) introduceres kort.

Kapitel 2
I andet kapitel uddybes BIM og de to åbne filformater IFC og CIS/2 præsenteres. Desuden in-
troduceres Strukturel Bygnings Informations Modellering (S-BIM). De anvendte S-BIM værk-
tøjer er:
• Revit add-on tool: Et strukturelt tilføjelsesprogram i Revit
• Integration with Robot Structural Analysis: Et direkte link mellem Revit og Robot
• SI Xchange for Revit and STAAD: Et direkte link mellem Revit og StaadPro
• IFC: Et åbent filformat, der anvendes som indirekte link mellem Revit og Robot

Kapitlet afsluttes af en problemformulering samt den generelle metode for projektet.

Kapitel 3
I tredje kapitel testes S-BIM værktøjerne vha. tre simple konstruktioner med forskellige tvær-
snitsegenskaber, geometri, materialeparametre osv. Testene viser at Revit add-on tool kun kan
anvendes til bestemmelse af snitkræfter og udbøjninger. Linket Integration with Robot Structural
Analysis giver generelt den bedste overførsel af data, idet linket SI Xchange ikke understøtter
trækonstruktioner. Dataoverførslen via IFC er meget mangelfuld. Dette skyldes at hverken Re-
vit eller Robot understøtter den strukturelle del af IFC formatet, Structural Analysis View. IFC
anvendes derfor ikke til yderligere tests. Ingen af S-BIM værktøjerne er i stand til at håndtere
armeret beton, på tilfredsstillende vis, hvorfor der ikke laves yderligere tests med betonkon-
struktioner.

v
 Kapitel 4
I fjerde kapitel testes S-BIM værktøjerne vha. en rammekonstruktion i træ. Konstruktionen er
mere kompleks end konstruktionerne i kapitel 3, idet der er flere elementer, som alle er skrå
og flere af elementerne er pultbjælker. Ingen af de anvendte S-BIM værktøjer kan håndtere
pultbjælkerne. Disse modelleres derfor som stykvise bjælker med konstant tværsnit. Revit
add-on tool kan stadig kun anvendes til bestemmelse af snitkræfter og udbøjninger. Linket
Integration with Robot Structural Analysis viser sig igen at være bedre end SI Xchange-linket.

Kapitel 5
I femte kapitel behandles importen af en model til Revit inden S-BIM værktøjerne testes. Den
behandlede konstruktion er en tredimensionel stålkonstruktion, som oprindeligt er modelleret
af Rambøll i Tekla Structures. Konstruktionen importeres i Revit via filformaterne DWG, IFC og
CIS/2. Ingen af dataoverførslerne giver en tilfredsstillende repræsentation af konstruktionen,
hvorfor den i stedet importers via CIS/2 fra Robot og efterfølgende tilrettes manuelt.

Konstruktionen har en utraditionel form og består af adskillige elementer, hvilket gør den mere
kompleks end de tidligere behandlede konstruktioner. De udførte tests viser, at S-BIM værk-
tøjet Revit add-on tool ikke kan anvendes til tredimensionelle konstruktioner idet programmet
ikke tager hensyn til lasterne fra tilstødende elementer. Heller ikke de direkte links, Integra-
tion with Robot Structural Analysis og SI Xchange, virker efter hensigten i forbindelse med den
tredimensionelle konstruktion.

Kapitel 6
I sjette kapitel diskuteres resultaterne fra de udførte tests. BIM og anvendeligheden af S-BIM
værktøjerne diskuteres. Desuden gives en anbefaling for, hvilken teknologi der er mest hen-
sigtsmæssig i fremtiden.

Kapitel 7
Rapporten afsluttes af en konklusion, hvor det vurderes, at selvom de direkte links virker bedst
på nuværende tidspunkt, så vil implementering af den strukturelle del af IFC i alle S-BIM og
FEM værktøjer være at foretrække i fremtiden.

Til denne rapport hører syv bilag samt en CD-ROM med de anvendte modeller.

vi
Contents

1 Introduction 1

1.1 Introduction to the project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

1.2 Layout of the report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2 Outline of BIM and S-BIM tools 7

2.1 Building Information Modelling (BIM) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

2.2 Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

2.3 CIMSteel Integration Standards (CIS/2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

2.4 Structural Building Information Modelling (S-BIM) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

2.5 S-BIM tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

2.6 Scope of the project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

2.7 General method of analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

3 Analysis of S-BIM tools – simple structures 27

3.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

3.2 Methods of analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

3.3 Simply supported steel beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

3.4 Simply supported timber column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

3.5 Continuous concrete beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

3.6 Subconclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

4 Analysis of S-BIM tools – timber frame structure 45

4.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

4.2 Methods of analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

4.3 Basis of tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

vii
CONTENTS

4.4 Results of tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

4.5 Evaluation of tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

4.6 Subconclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

5 Analysis of S-BIM tools – 3D steel structure 57

5.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

5.2 Methods of analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

5.3 Basis of tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

5.4 Results of tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

5.5 Evaluation of tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

5.6 Subconclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

6 Discussion 71

6.1 BIM as a vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

6.2 Applicabilities of current S-BIM tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

6.3 Which technology is most preferable for the future? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

6.4 Which process is most preferable for the future? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

7 Conclusion 79

Bibliography 83

Appendices 87

A Contents of the enclosed CD-ROM A-1

B E-mail correspondence with Elizabeth Shulok from Structural Integrators B-1

B.1 Questions and answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1

C Simply supported steel beam C-1

C.1 Design parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1

C.2 Procedure of tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-4

D Simply supported timber column D-1

viii
 CONTENTS

D.1 Design parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-1

D.2 Procedure of tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-4

E Continuous concrete beam E-1

E.1 Design parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-1

E.2 Procedure of tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-4

E.3 Procedure of alternatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-5

F Timber frame structure F-1

F.1 Design parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-1

F.2 Updated parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-5

F.3 Procedure of tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-7

G Three-dimensional steel structure G-1

G.1 Design parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-1

G.2 Procedure of tests for import to Revit from Tekla Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-5

G.3 Procedure of tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-6

ix
 Chapter 1
Introduction

In this chapter the motivation for this study and a brief introduction to the topic of
this project is given. Following the layout of the report is presented.

1.1 Introduction to the project

In the building sector there is a tradition for doing things in the same way as they always have
been done. It applies to the construction technique as well as in the building process. Changes
happen slowly. Over the past decades computer technology has been implemented to opti-
mize the technical solutions. Currently optimization of the building process using computer
technology is ongoing [Linderoth, 2010].

Traditionally the building process is divided into five phases, which is illustrated at Figure 1.1.

Program Design Construction Operation Demolition

Figure 1.1 Illustration of the phases in the building process [Bejder and Olsen, 2005, p. 86].

Each phase in the process is relatively separate from the other phases. A short description of
the main activities and participants in the phases is given in the following.

• In the program phase, feasibility studies are made. Moreover specification requirements,
schedule and economy for the structure are defined. The participants in this phase are
the building owner with his or hers adviser, and possibly the users, and the public au-
thorities.

• In the design phase, the technical solutions are developed and detail drawings are cre-
ated. This phase is typically partitioned in two sub-phases, a conceptual design phase
and a detail design phase. The participants from the program phase are still relevant
although architects, engineers and draughtsmen are the dominating participants in this
phase.

• In the construction phase, project tracking and management are ongoing contemporary
with the construction of the structure. The primary participants are the contractors, but
also the architects, engineers, draughtsmen, and building owner can still be active.

1
1. Introduction

• In the operation phase, the dominating activity is that the structure is used for its purpose.
In this phase there will be an one and a five year review. The primary participants in this
phase are therefore the building owner and the users.

• The demolition phase can be seen as a new process with its own phases. The demoli-
tion requires planning and often the participants can be e.g. some other engineers and
contractors than those involved in the previous phases.

As described, there are a lot of participants in each phase. Often the participants do their job
individually before the next participant take over, e.g. the architect finishes his or her work
before the engineer do the calculations. This can be rather time consuming and inexpedient if
changes have to be made since several iterations of the process are needed.

One way to make a smoother building process is by making the different phases more inte-
grated as shown in Figure 1.2 where the phases are less separate and the participants solve
their tasks more simultaneously. In that connection it can be useful to make use of a common
model which contains all the information about a structure.

Program Design Construction Operation Demolition

Figure 1.2 Illustration of the integrated building process.

Information from the program phase can be specification requirements, schedule and economy
for the structure. In the design phase information about geometry, materials and other speci-
fications can be added to the model. Under the construction of the structure, information can
be changed in the model due to differences between the planned and the actually constructed
structure. In the following phases it is easy to get information about the structure because ev-
erything is in one place. This can e.g. be useful regarding maintenance, changed use of the
structure or addition to the structure.

A model containing all the needed information will be rather comprehensive and several chal-
lenges of technological character as well as attitudinal character are connected to the devel-
opment of such a model. At the present time, no fully developed and flawless technology to
create such a model exists, but as described above an optimization of the building process using
computer technology is ongoing.

1.1.1 Digital Construction

Regarding the use of computer technology in the building process, the Danish government
has created the initiative Digital Construction (in Danish: Det Digitale Byggeri) to promote the
use of information and communication technology. Digital Construction is developed over a
number of years, and the result is ten specific client demands for public building projects. The
implementation of the demands started in 2007.

2
 1.1 Introduction to the project

The client demands concern four subjects [Det Digitale Byggeri, 2010a]:

• Procurement, tendering and competitive bidding via the internet

• Application of 3D-models

• Information sharing via the project web of the building project

• Digital assignment of the operation relevant data from the building process to the opera-
tion organisation of the building owner

The purpose of the governmental client demands is to enhance the efficiency and quality of
construction in Denmark [Det Digitale Byggeri, 2010a].

1.1.2 Building Information Modelling in the building process

As described previously, it can be useful to make use of a model which contains all the needed
information about a structure, in order to optimize the building process. Such a model can
be defined as a Building Information Model. The process of gathering information produced
by the architects, engineers, draughtsmen, and contractors among others can be defined as
Building Information Modelling.

In this project, Building Information Modelling will be referred to as BIM and Building Infor-
mation Model will be referred to as BIM (model). The concepts will be elaborated in Chapter
2.

Employing BIM introduces a more integrated building process due to the improved exchange
of digital information, compared to the traditional document based exchange of information.
Figure 1.3 shows the information flow in the BIM process compared to the document based
information flow.

Information

BIM

Document
based

Time
Program Design Construction Operation Demolition

Figure 1.3 The information flow employing BIM vs. traditional document based information flow. Based on
Robinson [2007, p. 520].

As illustrated in Figure 1.3, no information is lost through the phases of the building process in
the BIM process.

3
1. Introduction

A basic premise of BIM is collaboration by different stakeholders at different phases of the

life cycle of a facility to insert, extract, update or modify information in the BIM process to
support and reflect the roles of that stakeholder.
[Edgar and Smith, 2008]

As implied, BIM is relevant for all phases in the building process. The building process includes
many different participants and disciplines. E.g. the design phase includes structural design,
plumbing design and energy design.

In this project, especially the BIM (model) in connection with the structural design phase is
investigated. The structural design phase with its sub-phases is shown in Figure 1.4.

Structural
Program Construction Operation Demolition
Design

Conceptual design Detail design

Figure 1.4 Illustration of the sub-phases in the structural design phase.

The main participants in the structural design phase are architects, engineers and draughts-
men. The architects often dominate the conceptual design phase whereas the engineers and
draughtsmen dominate the detail design phase. An efficient structural design phase depends,
in particular, on the collaboration and data exchange between the participants.

Traditionally the work done by the three participants occur in three relative separate steps
staggered in time, starting with the architect and ending with the draughtsman. The traditional
structure of collaboration is shown in Figure 1.5.

Architect Engineer Draughtsman

Figure 1.5 Traditional structure of collaboration among participants in the structural design phase.

The structure of collaboration shown in Figure 1.5 corresponds with a workflow where the
workloads occur in bulges. This is shown in Figure 1.6.

4
 1.2 Layout of the report

Workload a n
t e ct e er h tsm
i g
ch gin au
Ar En Dr

Time

Figure 1.6 Traditional workflow, where the workloads are staggered in time.

A workflow like the one shown in Figure 1.6 might not be the most effective and therefore not
preferable.

Recently different structural BIM tools have been introduced. As described previously, this
study will focus on the structural engineering part in the detail design phase of the building
process. In particular some of these structural BIM tools are tested in order to identify whether
or not they can contribute to an optimisation of the traditional workflow shown in Figure 1.6.
Before defining the thesis statement, relevant BIM aspects are introduced in Chapter 2.

1.2 Layout of the report

After an introduction to this study the layout of the report is presented. The report consists of
the following chapters:

Outline of BIM and S-BIM tools

In this chapter a brief introduction to relevant BIM aspects is given and different structural BIM
tools are described. This leads to the scope of the project. Finally the general method used in
the project is presented.

Analysis of S-BIM tools – simple structures

In this chapter four different S-BIM tools are tested through three rather simple structures with
different section properties, geometry, material properties and so on. Further an initial evalua-
tion of the S-BIM tools is given.

Analysis of S-BIM tools – timber frame structure

In this chapter the S-BIM tools are tested through a timber frame structure from Krafthallen in
Tromsø, Norway. This structure is chosen to see if the S-BIM tools can handle a rather ordinary
structure which is more advanced than the simple structures in the previous chapter.

Analysis of S-BIM tools – 3D steel structure

In this chapter the S-BIM tools are tested through a three-dimensional steel structure from the
House of Music in Aalborg, Denmark. This structure is chosen to see if the S-BIM tools can
handle a structure which is more advanced than the timber frame structure in the previous
chapter.

Discussion
In this chapter the contents presented in the previous chapters are discussed. BIM as a vision
and the applicabilities of current S-BIM tools are discussed. Further an evaluation of which
technology is most preferable for the future is given.

Conclusion
In this chapter the subjects of this study are summarized and concluding remarks are given.

5
 Chapter 2
Outline of BIM and S-BIM tools

In this chapter a brief introduction to the relevant Building Information Modelling

(BIM) aspects is given, and different structural BIM tools are described. This leads to
the scope of the project. Finally the general method used in the project is presented.

2.1 Building Information Modelling (BIM)

The original information modelling concept is usually attributed to Codd [1970] where the
need for a tree-based hierarchy in which objects are described in a relational view is discussed
[Robinson, 2007].

In Object-Oriented Modelling (OOM) the objects can be assigned properties, relationships and
behaviour [bips, 2006]. For instance an object or element can possess information about the type
of element, material properties and sectional properties as well as the purpose of the element
within the structure. Examples of information are:

• Types of elements: Beams, columns, walls, slaps, etc.

• Material properties: Yield stress, modulus of elasticity, shear modulus, density, etc.
• Sectional properties: Height, width, area, moment of inertia, elastic modulus, etc.
• Purpose of the element: Relation to adjacent elements.

In Building Information Modelling (BIM) the objects and elements can possess a number of
additional information which is relevant for the participants in the building process e.g. in
connection with operation and maintenance.

Many people associate BIM with a 3D model of an architectural design, but it can be so
much more than that.
[buildingSMART, 2010a]

Traditionally economics are referred to as the fourth dimension and time schedules are referred
to as the fifth dimension in a BIM (model). Further examples of information which can be
included in the BIM (model) are:

• Demands from the building owner

• Descriptions and minutes from meetings
• Input for calculations
7
2. Outline of BIM and S-BIM tools

• Drawings and details

• Visualisation and digital coordination
• Basis for facility management

In other words the BIM (model) is a computer representation of the building including both
graphical and non-graphical information. An illustration of some of the content in the BIM
(model) is shown in Figure 2.1.

Conceptual design

Details Budget

Time Schedules Functional req.

Building
Information
Model
Descriptions Calculations

3D model Drawings

Building regulations

Figure 2.1 The BIM (model) and some of its contents.

BIM implies the employment of the BIM (model), i.e. the integrated process of designing, en-
gineering, constructing and maintaining a building based on the Building Information Model.
In other words the BIM (model) is the basis for BIM as a process. Hence the BIM (model) can
act as a common workplace for the different participants of the building process as shown in
Figure 2.2. This definition of BIM is proposed by Coenders [2009] as “BIM as a vision”.

Engineers Architects

Building
Building owner Information Users
Model

Contractors Public authorities

Figure 2.2 The BIM (model) and some of the participants of the building process.

8
 2.1 Building Information Modelling (BIM)

One of the purposes of employing BIM is to obtain a better collaboration among the partici-
pants and a continuous workflow which occur more simultaneously.

A further objective of BIM is to minimise the redundant re-entering of information. This can be
achieved since all the information relevant to the building is gathered in a common model.

Another possible advantage of employing BIM, is to reduce design and construction failures.
The different engineering disciplines often have different models. For instance there can be
a model with the structural elements, a model with electrical and mechanical installations,
a model with heating and ventilation installations and so on. Often different engineers and
draughtsmen work together with each discipline. In that connection, a BIM (model), where
elements from all the disciplines are gathered, can contribute to reduce design and construction
failures, e.g. because of the possibility to check ’clashes’ between elements.

In addition to “BIM as a vision” the definition “BIM as a software technology” is proposed by

Coenders [2009], where it is argued that the current state of software is far from the vision and
it might be plausible that the current software applications are too simplistic. This study will
test this statement.

2.1.1 Experiences done by others

In Hejnfelt and Øksengaard [2007] interviews of employees in Danish consulting engineering
companies, among others, are presented. The interviews are performed in 2007 and indicate
the state of the art regarding e.g. BIM at that time. The essence of Hejnfelt and Øksengaard
[2007] are described in the following.

• Most of the consulting engineering companies only use 3D-modelling. The architects
have started to make some 3D-models and the engineers can design and analyse struc-
tures in 3D, but they only do it when it is for the benefit of the project and the building
owner [Hejnfelt and Øksengaard, 2007].

• The engineers do not reuse the architects model and they do not use the 3D-models in
an intelligent way. It seems like most engineers using 3D still think in lines and not in
objects [Hejnfelt and Øksengaard, 2007].

• One engineer states that in principle it would be ingenious if the engineer could get data
directly from the architect and could send it directly to the contractor and so on. Another
engineer agrees, by stating that exchange and analysis of data should be as automated as
possible without loss of quality [Hejnfelt and Øksengaard, 2007].

• In relation to the increased use of 3D-modelling and in the long term the increased use
of BIM the interviewed engineers also state some worries. One thinks that BIM will opti-
mise the design phase but points out that the connection to the contractors and suppliers
also needs to be improved. Another engineer state that the connection between the archi-
tects, engineers and production is alpha and omega but is concerned about the control of
analysis and details. Other engineers have similar concerns. They think it is easy to lose
perspective and that the true optimal structural design occur less and less often [Hejnfelt
and Øksengaard, 2007].

Referring to the interviews it is clear that the application of BIM in practice is far away from
“BIM as a vision” proposed by Coenders [2009]. The conclusion of the survey drawn by Hejn-
felt and Øksengaard [2007, p. 28] is that the Danish consulting engineering companies in gen-

9
2. Outline of BIM and S-BIM tools

eral have the software to work object orientated but only one of the companies has imple-
mented the structural BIM software.

In Karlshøj et al. [2008] a review of the development and implementation of IFC1 compatible
BIM is presented. The review is among other things based on a survey performed among
architects, engineering companies and other relevant companies during the summer 2007. The
results presented in this project are valid for the Nordic countries including Denmark, Finland,
Norway and Sweden.

• The results of the survey show that BIM is used in around 20% of projects for architects
and in around 10% of projects for engineers and contractors, while the traditional CAD
is still the major form of technique used in design work. Further, the results show that
manual drafting is used in at least same extent as IFC compliant BIM [Karlshøj et al.,
2008]. This is shown in Figure 2.3.
• In the survey the participants were also asked about changes in design work techniques
during the last two years, i.e. from 2005 to 2007. The results for the engineers are pre-
sented in Figure 2.4 where it can be seen that 35% of the consulted engineers claim that
the use of BIM has increased and 25% of the consulted engineers claim that the use of IFC
compliant BIM has increased. At the same time the use of manual drafting and CAD as
techniques in design work has decreased, according to the consulted engineeres [Karlshøj
et al., 2008].

100 %

90 %

80 %

70 %

60 %

50 %

40 %

30 %

20 %

10 %

0%
Manual drafting CAD BIM IFC compliant BIM

Architects Engineers Contractors

Figure 2.3 Techniques in design work for different disciplines in the Nordic countries. Based on Karlshøj et al.
[2008, p. 88].

Please note that all of the above-mentioned is based on surveys performed in 2007, cf. Hejnfelt
and Øksengaard [2007] and Karlshøj et al. [2008]. At current it is possible that more of the
Danish consulting engineering companies use BIM and IFC compliant BIM. Even if this is the
case it will still be relevant with further investigation of BIM.
1 Industry Foundation Classes. In Section 2.2 further information about IFC is given.

10
 2.2 Industry Foundation Classes (IFC)

Manual drafting 19 % 39 % 1% 42 %

CAD 23 % 46 % 9% 23 %

BIM 3 % 18 % 35 % 44 %

IFC compliant BIM 13 % 25 % 62 %

0% 10 % 20 % 30 % 40 % 50 % 60 % 70 % 80 % 90 % 100 %

Decreasing No changes Increasing No opinion

Figure 2.4 Changes of techniques in design work from 2005 to 2007 for engineers in the Nordic countries. Based
on Karlshøj et al. [2008, p. 91].

As the different participants of the building process uses many different kinds of software ap-
plications, a common exchange file format is needed in order to keep the information through
the entire building process. The internationally acknowledged neutral open standard for ex-
change of BIM information is defined in the IFC specification. Also the CIS/2 specification is
available for the steel supply chain. Both are presented in the following two sections.

2.2 Industry Foundation Classes (IFC)

In order to enable a true free flow of information it is not enough only to specify how to share
the information. Actually three factors need to be in order [dev.ifd-library.org, 2007]:

1. How to share the information?

2. Which information to exchange and when to exchange the information?

3. What is the information being exchanged?

Re 1) This is defined by the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) specification, which is elabo-
rated in this section.

Re 2) These information requirements are defined via Information Delivery Manuals (IDMs)
and Model View Definitions (MVDs).
The aim of IDM is to specify exactly which information is to be exchanged in each ex-
change scenario during the building process. It specifies what the process is and its
purpose, who the creating and consuming actors are and what the information created
and consumed is [Espedokken, 2006].
No software application supports the entire IFC specification. IFC data exchange is
achieved with subsets or views (MVD) of the complete IFC specification. Each view is

11
2. Outline of BIM and S-BIM tools

developed to support one or several data exchange scenarios. The views available are
[IfcWiki, 2010b]:

• IFC2x3 Coordination View Version 2.0 – the IFC subset for coordinating the archi-
tectural disciplines, building service disciplines and structural disciplines during
the design phase of a building project.
• IFC2x3 Structural Analysis View – the IFC subset to exchange the structural analysis
model from a structural modelling to a structural analysis application.
• IFC2x3 Quantity Take-off View – the IFC subset to hand over the quantities of a
building information model to cost estimation and calculation.
• IFC2x3 Operation & Maintenance View – the IFC subset to handover the facility
management relevant information of spaces, furniture, fixture and equipment to
Computer-Aided Facility Management CAFM software

Re 3) This is defined through the International Framework for Dictionaries (IFD Library). The
IFD standard defines what the objects in the IFC model are, and what parts, properties,
units and values they can have [dev.ifd-library.org, 2007].

When these three specifications (IFC, IDM/MVD and IFD) are in place it is possible to have
full computerized interoperability between two or more participants of the building process
[dev.ifd-library.org, 2007]. IDM/MVD and IFD will not be further elaborated in this study.

The IFC specification is developed and maintained by buildingSMART International (bSI), pre-
viously called International Alliance for Interoperability (IAI) [IfcWiki, 2010a].

BIM software applications store the building information in a native and proprietary format.
IFC can be used to exchange and share BIM data between software applications developed by
different software vendors without the necessity to support numerous native formats. As IFC
is an open format, it is neutral and independent of a particular software vendor’s schedule and
development direction [buildingSMART, 2010a].

IFC is an open standard to represent, exchange and share the BIM information among dif-
ferent software applications.
[buildingSMART, 2010b]

The IFC specification defines a structure of how information about every single object of the
building can be defined. This structure divides the building objects in different classes, e.g.
ifcBeam, ifcColumn, ifcWall, ifcSlap, and so on, with associated attributes and properties. The
different classes can be connected to each other through relations between objects [Det Digitale
Byggeri, 2010b].

Like DXF is the exchange format for CAD drawings, IFC is the exchange format for BIM.
[Liebich, 2005, p. 5]

The objects or entities in the IFC specification are arranged in a hierarchy structure [Liebich,
2009]. An example of the hierarchy structure of the IFC specification is shown in Figure 2.5.

12
 2.2 Industry Foundation Classes (IFC)

ifcRoot

ifcObjectDefinition

ifcObject

ifcProduct

ifcElement

ifcBuildingElement

ifcColumn ifcBeam ifcWall

Figure 2.5 Example of the hierarchy structure of the IFC specification. Based on [Liebich, 2009, p. 46].

Each entity can be assigned properties and information such as geometry, sectional properties,
boundary conditions, loads, and so on. This information is either defined directly within the
entity or via subtypes or supertypes of the entity.

2.2.1 History of IFC

IFC has been developed since 1994. The first specification was released in 1997 and the specifi-
cation has been expanded ever since. The release history of the IFC specifications is shown in
Figure 2.6.

IFC1.5
IFC1.0 IFC2.0 IFC2x IFC2x2 IFC2x3 IFC2x4
00

05

10
97

98

99

01

02

03

04

06

07

08

09
20

20

20
19

19

19

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

1996 2011

Figure 2.6 Release history of the IFC specification. Based on buildingSMART [2010f].

For each release more and more options and features have been implemented as shown in

13
2. Outline of BIM and S-BIM tools

Figure 2.7. The first version was developed in relation to architecture, code checking and facil-
ities management. Here code checking should not be thought of as code check cf. Eurocodes
but as a check of some general design rules e.g. within fire, ventilation or water systems. Ar-
chitecture and code check is relevant in the first part of the building process whereas facilities
management primarily is used in the last part of the building process cf. Figure 1.2.

In the following versions of IFC e.g. building services and construction management were
included. These are also things that corresponds to the first and the last part of the building
process, respectively. Finally it can be seen from Figure 2.7 that IFC was developed to include
structural engineering and drafting relatively late. This might cause that IFC is not fully devel-
oped within these subjects.

Structural Engineering

Construction Mgmt
Building Electrical
Building Services

Facilities Mgmt
Code Checking
Architecture

Libraries

Drafting
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
IF C1.0 IF C1.5 IF C2.0 IF C2x IF C2x2

Figure 2.7 Completeness of definitions in the past IFC versions. Based on Liebich [2005, p. 10].

The current release of the IFC specification is IFC 2x3 TC1 where several IFC Extension Projects2
has been incorporated since IFC version 2x2. The completed extension projects includes [build-
ingSMART, 2010d]:

• ST-1 Steel Frame Constructions

• ST-2 Reinforced concrete structures and foundation structures

• ST-3 Precast Concrete Construction

• ST-4 Structural Analysis Model and Steel Constructions

• ST-5 Structural Timber Model

2 IFC
Extension Projects are buildingSMART’s instrument to research, develop and prototypically implement
new features of the IFC data model.

14
 2.2 Industry Foundation Classes (IFC)

Extension projects for future releases are [buildingSMART, 2010e]:

• ST-6 CIS/2 - IFC Harmonisation

• ST-7 Finite Element Model, Dynamic Analysis Process, and Assignment

In spite of the age long development of IFC and the extensive work conducted in these exten-
sion projects, the IFC specification is far from complete.

The next release of the IFC specification, IFC 2x4, will be released at the end of 2010. Some of the
essential new features and improvements in IFC 2x4 are [T. Liebich, 2010], [buildingSMART,
2010c]:

• CIS/2 to IFC harmonisation (ST-6).

• Extended material properties are defined for timber and wood-based materials (anisotropic).

• Enhancement of analysis model. It is possible to provide analysis results not only at point
connections but also at curve or surface items.

• Required or provided reinforcement of surface members, e.g. slabs and walls, can now
be included.

Since the final IFC 2x4 specification has yet not been released, no implementation in commercial
software is available at the moment.

2.2.2 Usage of IFC

Basically IFC can be used in two ways: Like traditional exchange files or as a central prod-
uct model in a file archive or on a model server. In both cases, software applications read or
write only a subset of the IFC model which must be in accordance with an IFC View definition
(MVD).

Using IFC as format of exchange files is shown in Figure 2.8. An IFC exchange file is created
using application X and send to import in application Y. The updated IFC file from application
Y is then send to merge back in application X.

X Application X IFC Application Y Y

native file native file

Figure 2.8 Using IFC as format of exchange files. Based on Osterrieder and Richter [2005, p. 7].

Using IFC as a central BIM (model) is shown in Figure 2.9. In principle the content of the central
BIM (model) is the sum of information provided by each participant. But due to the synergy
effect of the integrated building process, the content is the combination of all the contributed
information.

15
2. Outline of BIM and S-BIM tools

X1 Application X1 Application X2 X2

native file native file

IFC IFC

IFC
BIM (model)

IFC IFC

X3 Application X3 Application X4 X4

native file native file

Figure 2.9 Using IFC as a central BIM (model). Based on Osterrieder and Richter [2005, p. 8].

In this study IFC will be used as format of exchange files.

2.2.3 Experiences done by others

With regard to data exchange the interviews performed in 2007 and presented in Hejnfelt and
Øksengaard [2007] indicate that engineers see both pros and cons in IFC.

• None of the interviewed engineers disagree that an independent and neutral file format
for data exchange is necessary. Many of them see IFC as the best open file format, but
they also agree that IFC is not good enough yet. The problem with data exchange is that
data is lost every time an exchange is made. In that connection more of the interviewed
engineers mention that IFC is a relative low or maybe the lowest common denominator
[Hejnfelt and Øksengaard, 2007].

• In relation to IFC it is important to remember that data exchange can occur at different
levels. E.g. it can be from an architectural BIM application to a structural BIM application
or it can be from BIM applications to FEM applications. Several of the engineers mention
a direct link3 as the best solution for intern data exchange because a direct link has more
possibilities and thereby can be a higher common denominator for related software ap-
plications. In return they see IFC as the best solution for external data exchange because
IFC is good for data exchange between collaborators with different types of software ap-
plications. Thus, both the direct link and IFC is needed [Hejnfelt and Øksengaard, 2007].

The conclusion of the survey drawn by Hejnfelt and Øksengaard [2007, p. 28] is that the Danish
consulting engineering companies in general do not use integrated design and consequently
neither direct link nor IFC.
3 Further information about direct linking is given in Section 2.5.2.

16
 2.3 CIMSteel Integration Standards (CIS/2)

As described previously Karlshøj et al. [2008] has made a review of the development and im-
plementation of IFC compatible BIM.

• According to their survey the amount of exchanges based on IFC are rather low. In
Figure 2.10 it is shown that 65% of the engineers seldom use IFC in BIM exchanges. Only
13% almost always use IFC in BIM exchanges. The tendency is almost the same for archi-
tects and contractors [Karlshøj et al., 2008].

Architects (36) 67 % 14 % 8% 11 %

Engineers (46) 65 % 13 % 9% 13 %

Contractors (13) 69 % 15 % 15 %

0% 10 % 20 % 30 % 40 % 50 % 60 % 70 % 80 % 90 % 100 %

Seldom, less Sometimes, 10- About half, 40- Frequently, 60- Almost alw ays,
than 10% 39% 59% 89% at least 90%

Figure 2.10 Part of BIM exchanges based on IFC for different disciplines in the Nordic countries. Based on
Karlshøj et al. [2008, p. 100].

Please note that the above-mentioned is based on surveys performed in 2007, cf. Hejnfelt and
Øksengaard [2007] and Karlshøj et al. [2008]. The use of IFC may have increased during the
last three years. However, the development of IFC is an time demanding and on going process,
thus the comments about IFC are still relevant.

2.3 CIMSteel Integration Standards (CIS/2)

An alternative to IFC is CIS/2 which is developed for the planning, design, analysis and con-
struction of steel framed buildings and similar structures [CIMsteel, 2003]. CIS/2 was devel-
oped by Andrew Crowley and Alastair Watson at the Steel Construction Institute, UK [NIST,
2010]. CIMsteel stands for the Computer Integrated Manufacturing of Constructional Steel-
work [CIMsteel, 2003].

CIS/2 is a set of specifications that enables mutually compatibility between software applica-
tions for steel structures. This enables exporting data from one application into another. The
CIS/2 documentation specifies which information to exchange between software applications,
and how the information must be structured in a data exchange file (*.stp) or a model reposi-
tory.

The CIS/2 specification is intended to create a smooth and integrated information flow between
all participants involved in the steel construction supply chain.

17
2. Outline of BIM and S-BIM tools

CIS/2 has been implemented as a file import or export capability by many steel design, analy-
sis, engineering, fabrication, and construction software applications [NIST, 2010]. A CIS/2 file
exported by an analysis or design software application could be imported into a detailing soft-
ware application to detail the connections. Like IFC, CIS/2 is not a software package. The user
will see CIS/2 as a file format to import or export data in a steel related software application.

The CIS/2 standard covers everything from nuts and bolts to materials and loads to frames
and assemblies. Structures can be represented as analysis, design, or manufacturing models
[NIST, 2010].

The use of CIS/2 as well as IFC is an essential part of improving the delivery of structural
steel projects in the steel supply chain [NIST, 2010]. It can help minimising the redundant re-
entering of information. Interoperability between different software applications using CIS/2
and IFC is also a essential part of BIM.

2.4 Structural Building Information Modelling (S-BIM)

The structural engineering part of BIM is given the acronym S-BIM by Hejnfelt and Øksengaard
[2007]. This will also be used in this study.

The architects typically focus on the artistic expression of the structure and the interaction be-
tween the structure and the environment in every sense. Some architect models therefore only
show surfaces of the structure and do not contain information about e.g. structural elements.
Architects work with space, mass texture and shapes. I.e. they work with objects in another
way than engineers work with building objects in the S-BIM [Robinson, 2007, p. 522].

The architect models are a part of the BIM (model). This means that even though the content
of the architect and S-BIM (models) can be very different, the architect models indirectly form
the basis of the S-BIM (models).

S-BIM being a subset of BIM can possess the necessary information for structural engineers.
I.e. loads, load combinations, geometry, boundary conditions, material properties, sectional
properties, and so on. Hence S-BIM can be used for structural analysis as well as drawing and
report production [Robinson, 2007].

A simple example of the difference between BIM and S-BIM is shown in Figure 2.11. The BIM
(model) includes information about geometry, rooms and location of openings which e.g. is
relevant to the architect. Further, information about the overall decor and the orientation of
the building which e.g. is relevant to the HVAC engineer is included. Additional, information
about non-structural elements and materials which e.g. is relevant to the structural engineer is
included. Finally, the BIM (model) includes budget and time schedules which e.g. is relevant
to the building owner.

In the S-BIM (model) information about the statical system, structural elements, strength pa-
rameters and so on are included. This information is added by the structural engineer and is
only relevant to the structural engineer.

18
 2.5 S-BIM tools

q q

RH
q

- Geometry RV
- Rooms RV
- Location of openings - Statical system
- Overall decor - Structural elements
- Orientation - Strength parameters
- Non-structural elements - Boundary conditions
- Material - Loads
- Descriptions - Load combinations
- Budget
- Time schedule

Figure 2.11 Left: BIM (model). Right: S-BIM (model). Note that this is a very simple example, where only a few
loads and centre lines are shown. Based on bips [2006, p. 39].

2.5 S-BIM tools

The BIM (model) – containing information from many participants of the building process –
is handed over to the structural engineer, e.g. via the IFC format. In the S-BIM software the
engineer can assign relevant information to the model. This can be specific information about
e.g. geometry, material properties, loads and boundary conditions, which e.g. the architect
did not define. From the S-BIM software the engineer can perform structural analysis through
structural BIM tools.

In this project the S-BIM tools are defined as structural add-on tools to the S-BIM software,
direct links or an indirect link from the S-BIM software to traditional FEM software.

The information flows from the BIM (model) to the results of the calculations are shown in
Figure 2.12 where BIM refers to the BIM (model), S-BIM refers to the structural BIM software,
FEM is the analysis software whereas Results can be e.g. coefficients of utilisation and deflec-
tions.

19
2. Outline of BIM and S-BIM tools

Statical system
Structural elements
Strength parameters
Boundary conditions
Loads
Load combinations

BIM S-BIM Add-on Results

Add-on tools
Link
BIM S-BIM FEM Results
Direct link

BIM S-BIM IFC FEM Results

Indirect link

Figure 2.12 The information flow from the BIM (model) to the results of calculations.

In Figure 2.12 the process with structural add-on tools is shown in the top. This process gives
the most direct information flow from S-BIM to the results. The process with a direct link is
shown in the centre and the process with an indirect link e.g. via IFC is shown in the bottom.
These processes contain an extra step compared to the process with the add-on tools.

In the integrated design process the changes to the structure obtained from the results of the
structural analysis are updated in the S-BIM and subsequently in the BIM.

In relation to Figure 2.12 different types of software can be used in the different phases. Ex-
amples of S-BIM software are Tekla Structures and Autodesk Revit Structure. In this project
Autodesk Revit Structure 2010 [Autodesk, 2010a] is used. The main argument for this is that
Revit Structure has some interesting structural add-on tools.

Examples of FEM software which can be used for analysis and design in relation to BIM are
Bentley StaadPro and Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis. In this project both Bentley StaadPro
V8i [Bentley, 2008] and Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional 2010 [Autodesk, 2010b]
are used. The reason for this is that these applications are widely used in consulting engineer-
ing companies in Denmark. Additionally, there is a direct link from Revit Structure to Robot
Structural Analysis. Using Robot Structural Analysis makes it possible to test both this direct
link and the indirect link. On the other hand, StaadPro is interesting in relation to testing the
direct link between two software applications from different software vendors.

In this study the following abbreviations are used:

• Autodesk Revit Structure: Revit or RVT

• Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional: Robot or RSA

• Bentley StaadPro: StaadPro or SPro

20
 2.5 S-BIM tools

The structural add-on tools, the direct link and the indirect link are elaborated in the following.

2.5.1 Add-on tools for S-BIM software

As described, the employed S-BIM software in this project is Revit Structure 2010. The official
structural add-on tools for Revit Structure are Revit Extensions for Autodesk Revit Structure 2010
[Autodesk, 2010c].

Add-on tools are defined as extended features in the S-BIM software which enables analysis
of structures inside the S-BIM software. An example is shown in Figure 2.13 where the Revit
Structure extension Simulation - Static Analysis of Frames is used to calculate section forces on a
beam.

Figure 2.13 Screendump from the Revit Structure extension Simulation - Static Analysis of Frames.

If the possibilities of analysis via the add-on tools are satisfactory and reliable the analysis
can be performed without traditional FEM software. This can make the design phase less
complicated for the structural engineer who has to be confidential with fewer applications.
The add-on tools for Revit Structure enable the user to be more productive while working on
projects.

Another possible benefit of the add-on tools is that they are developed from scratch by contrast
to traditional analysis software applications, which typically are developed for steel structures
originally, and then adapted to other materials as timber and reinforced concrete.

In this study the employed add-on tool is [Autodesk, 2010c]:

• Revit Structure extension Simulation - Static Analysis of Frames: Revit add-on tool

21
2. Outline of BIM and S-BIM tools

This add-on tool enables static analysis of a 2D frame defined in Revit Structure. It employs
information from Revit Structure such as: frame geometry, frame members, boundary condi-
tions, loads and load combinations.

In this project the results from the Revit add-on tool are compared with other methods of ana-
lysis. Thereby the applicability of the structural add-on tool is evaluated.

In addition to the add-on tool described above, the Revit Extensions provides a wide range
of tools enabling e.g. structural analysis, modelling of concrete reinforcement, interoperability
and construction documentation. The features from Revit Extensions used in this study are
mainly within the area of structural analysis and interoperability, since this is the focus of the
study. The employed Revit Extensions are [Autodesk, 2010c]:

1. Robot Structural Analysis - Integration with Robot Structural Analysis

2. Robot Structural Analysis - Reinforcement Design

3. Import/Export - CIS/2 Import

Re 1) This extension facilitates a bi-directional integration of Revit Structure and Robot Struc-
tural Analysis. It enables dynamic import and export of data between the two software
applications.

Re 2) The extension enables design of reinforcement in Robot for a reinforced concrete struc-
ture element modelled in Revit Structure.

Re 3) This extension facilitates import of CIS/2 files created in other software applications.

2.5.2 Direct link

A direct link is defined as a link between two software applications e.g. via an Application
Programming Interface (API). The API is an interface implemented by a software application
to enable interaction with other software applications, in this study the direct link must enable
interaction between S-BIM software and FEM software.

An example of a direct link is the link Integration with Robot Structural Analysis between Revit
and Robot provided in Revit Extensions for Autodesk Revit Structure 2010. Another direct link
used in this study is SI Xchange for Revit and STAAD [Structural Integrators, 2010] which enables
data exchange between Revit and StaadPro. This link will be referred to as SI Xchange in this
report. In this study the direct links are used for the same structural analysis as the structural
add-on tool and the results are compared to make an evaluation of which methods are best.

Cf. Appendix B.1 there are some limitations of the current version of SI Xchange. These are:

• The link only supports steel and concrete materials

• Changes of boundary conditions in StaadPro are not currently sent back to Revit

• Only size changes and column rotations of elements in StaadPro are being updated in
Revit

The tests performed in this study will show the results of these limitations.

22
 2.6 Scope of the project

2.5.3 Indirect link

An indirect link has the same function as a direct link namely to transport the needed informa-
tion from the S-BIM software to the FEM software. The difference between the direct and the
indirect link is that the direct linking occurs via a proprietary file format whereas the indirect
linking occurs via an independent and natural file format, like IFC.

In this project the IFC file format is used to exchange data between Revit and Robot. This is
done to evaluate the applicability of the IFC format compared to the direct link.

Note that Revit Structure only supports the IFC2x3 Coordination View which might introduce
some limitations for the tests performed in this study, compared to if the IFC2x3 Structural
Analysis View was supported. Cf. Section 2.2, the IFC Coordination View is intended for co-
ordinating the architectural disciplines, building service disciplines and structural disciplines
during the design phase of a building project. Thus it might not be optimal for data exchange
of the structural analysis model from a structural modelling to a structural analysis application,
which the IFC Structural Analysis View is intended for.

The tests performed in this study will show the results of these limitations.

2.6 Scope of the project

This study will focus on the structural engineering part of the detail design phase in the build-
ing process. Based on the experiences in this chapter it is found, that in general the Danish
consulting engineering companies have the software to work object orientated, but they do
not use integrated design and consequently neither direct link nor IFC. This might be due to
limitations of the current S-BIM tools. Thus, the thesis statement reads:

What are the strengths and limitations in the current (a) add-on BIM tools, (b) direct
links between S-BIM and FEM applications, and (c) IFC exchange file format, and which
technology is most preferable for the future?

Different possibilities of implementing structural analysis in the S-BIM tools and the possibil-
ities of exchanging data between S-BIM and FEM applications are evaluated. This is done by
tests of structures divided in three parts:

1. Simple structures with different section properties, geometry, material properties and so
on

2. A timber frame structure from Krafthallen in Tromsø, Norway

3. A three-dimensional steel structure from the House of Music in Aalborg, Denmark

The different methods of analysing the structures are:

• Structural analysis via the Revit add-on tool

• Structural analysis in Robot via the link between Revit and Robot

• Structural analysis in StaadPro via the link between Revit and StaadPro

• Structural analysis in Robot via IFC

23
2. Outline of BIM and S-BIM tools

When possible the structural analysis includes code checking cf. Eurocodes. The results ob-
tained are compared with results obtained by traditional structural analysis methods. Thereby
the S-BIM tools are evaluated.

To answer the thesis statement, different methods of analysis are used.

2.7 General method of analysis

In this section the general applied methods will be presented. In each chapter the relevant
methods will be elaborated.

In order to answer the thesis statement, tests of different structures are performed. The tests
sets of in a positivistic approach which consists of the following:

• Construct a hypothesis: The structures are chosen to show the possibilities and to reveal
the lacks of the S-BIM tools. For each structure the expectations to the tests and the results
of the test are considered.

• Perform the test: For each structure the S-BIM tools are tested systematic. The results are
collected and stored schematic.

• Evaluate the results of the test: The results of the tests are compared to the expectations
and an evaluation of the S-BIM tools is given.

Based on the evaluations of the tests, the authors will give its recommendations for the future
work regarding the usage of S-BIM tools in the building process.

As described in Section 2.6 the first tests treat simple structures with different section proper-
ties, geometry, material properties and so on. The purpose of firstly testing the S-BIM tools by
means of simple structures is to make some tests which are expected to work with no or few
errors. Furthermore the simple tests will contribute to an initial overview of the possibilities
and limitations in the S-BIM tools and the methods used in the S-BIM and FEM applications.
Based on the tests performed for the simple structures the basic properties of the S-BIM tools
are determined.

For the next structures – a timber structure from Krafthallen in Tromsø and a steel structure
from the House of Music in Aalborg – the complexity is increased gradually. The purpose of
this is to investigate the possibilities of the S-BIM tools when the structures have e.g. varying
cross section and a non symmetric geometry.

2.7.1 Guideline for test evaluations

The applicability of the S-BIM tools are evaluated in each chapter. The evaluations are based
on a grading scale consisting of stars where five stars are best. The meaning of the stars is given
in the following:

IIIII
Zero stars are given for a very low performance of the S-BIM tool.

HIIII
One star is given to the S-BIM tool which makes it possible to determine section forces and
deflection.

24
 2.7 General method of analysis

HHIII
Two stars are given when it is possible to transfer almost all the necessary information from the
S-BIM software to the FEM software.

HHHII
Three stars are given when it is possible to transfer all the necessary information from the S-
BIM software to the FEM software. However it is not possible to transfer any information
backwards.

HHHHI
Four stars are given when it is also possible to transfer some of the necessary information
backwards from the FEM software to the S-BIM software.

HHHHH
Five stars are given when it is possible to transfer all the information forward and backwards
from the S-BIM software to the FEM software.

A more thorough explanation will be given at each evaluation.

2.7.2 Source criticism

In order to get information which can support the understanding of the topics in this project
different sources are applied.

A basic knowledge of BIM is obtained via scientific articles and websites of organisations
within this area. Further state of the art within structural BIM is, among other things, ob-
tained via study of two master’s theses from DTU. In order to understand the applied software
applications the manuals and websites of the applications have been used. The results of the
performed tests are evaluated according to Eurocodes.

The scientific articles are produced by a scientists or a group of scientists who have a huge
knowledge within the topic of the article. Typically the content of the articles are substantiated
by several years of research, experiments and/or calculations. The articles are not necessarily
objective but they are considered reliable.

Examples of concepts which are relevant in connection with BIM are buildingSMART and Digi-
tal Construction (in Danish: Det Digitale Byggeri). Behind buildingSMART are a number of inter-
national committees working for development and implementation of the concept in different
ways. Behind Digital Construction is the network of implementation (in Danish: Implementer-
ingsnetværket) consisting of a number of Danish organisations within construction. The aim of
the organisations is to promote the building process by use of for instance BIM. The concepts
are relevant in order to understand the development of BIM so far and in the future.

The two master’s theses from DTU are produced by Hejnfelt and Øksengaard [2007] and Pil-
gaard and Jonathan [2010], respectively. In Hejnfelt and Øksengaard [2007] a number of in-
terviews are presented. These can contribute to awareness about state of the art within BIM,
although interviews and the interpretation of these are subjective.

The manuals and websites of the software applications have been investigated in order to gain
insight of the possibilities with the applications. The manuals are technical documents with in-
structions which can support the use of the applications. These are assumed to be objective. As
opposed to this the websites are subjective since they besides to inform about the applications
also should sell them.

25
2. Outline of BIM and S-BIM tools

The calculations in this project are performed according to Eurocodes since these are the valid
European standards. Eurocodes are produced by experts with several years of experience and
the methods presented in these standards are considered reliable. However, the specific choice
of calculation methods is not essential in this project as long as the software applications are
able to handle calculations with a given complexity and that the software applications employ
the same methods.

2.7.3 Employed software applications

In the following a short description of the employed software applications is given. Note that
the descriptions are based on the websites of the software vendors.

Autodesk Revit Structure is a S-BIM software application for structural engineering. The appli-
cation provides tools for structural design and analysis [Autodesk, 2010a]. In Revit Structure
both a physical and an analytical model is combined to represent the structure. The physical
model is used as basis for drawings and coordination while the analytical model is used for
structural analysis in another software application.

Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis is a FEM software application for structural engineers. In-
teroperability with Autodesk Revit Structure software extends the BIM process, enabling engi-
neers to more quickly perform comprehensive building and engineering analysis on a variety
of structures [Autodesk, 2010b].

Bentley StaadPro is a FEM software application which allows structural engineers to analyse and
design virtually any type of structure of steel, concrete, timber, aluminium and cold-formed
steel [Bentley, 2008].

Column and beam design from NordSoft ApS is a software application which enables struc-
tural engineers to design reinforced concrete beams and columns according to DS/EN 1992-1-1
[2008] either by means of elasticity or plasticity [Rasmussen and Rasmussen, 2010].

26
 Chapter 3
Analysis of S-BIM tools – simple structures

In this chapter, the four S-BIM tools, presented in Section 2.6, are analysed through
three rather simple structures, and an initial evaluation of the S-BIM tools are given.

3.1 Introduction
In order to test the applicability of the S-BIM tools in a comprehensive way, structures with
various properties are needed. Thus three simple structures with different section properties,
geometry, material properties and so on are chosen. The three structures are:

• A simply supported steel beam, presented in Section 3.3. This beam is chosen because
it is a very simple structural element in an isotropic material which the S-BIM tools are
expected to handle without any errors. The beam is simply supported since this might
cause problems regarding the direction of the coordinate system – and consequently the
degrees of freedom – by contrast to if the supports were fixed.

• A simply supported timber column, presented in Section 3.4. This structure is chosen to
show if the S-BIM tools are able to handle an anisotropic material as timber and to choose
the correct design criterion for a column. Furthermore the supports are rotated compared
to the steel beam, which the S-BIM tools must be able to handle regardless of different
coordinate systems in the applications.

• A continuous concrete beam, presented in Section 3.5. This beam is chosen to show if
the S-BIM tools are able to handle a composite material as reinforced concrete and the
supports for a continuous beam, since concrete is often used for continuous beams.

The methods used for the tests will be elaborated in the following.

27
3. Analysis of S-BIM tools – simple structures

3.2 Methods of analysis

The information flow treated in this chapter is illustrated in Figure 3.1.

BIM S-BIM Add-on Results

Add-on tool
Link
BIM S-BIM FEM Results
Direct link

BIM S-BIM IFC FEM Results

Indirect link

Figure 3.1 The information flow from the S-BIM (model) to the results of calculations.

The analyses are performed testing the following S-BIM tools:

• Revit add-on tool (RVT add-on)

• Direct link from Revit to Robot and backwards (RVT ↔ RSA)

• Direct link from Revit to StaadPro and backwards (RVT ↔ SPro)

IFC
• Indirect link from Revit to Robot (RVT → RSA)

As described in Section 2.5 several add-on tools are available for Revit. The add-on tool tested
in this chapter is the Revit Extensions, Simulation - Static Analysis of Frames.

In order to analyse different structures the S-BIM tools must be able to handle a number of
parameters. These parameters are arranged in groups and the applicability of each S-BIM tool
is tested step by step. The groups of parameters are:

1. Section properties

2. Geometry

3. Material properties

4. Loads

5. Boundary conditions

6. Design data

7. Results

As described in Section 3.1 three structures have been chosen in order to test the applicability
of the S-BIM tools. For each structure initial calculations are made independent of the actual

28
 3.3 Simply supported steel beam

analysis performed. This is done to show which specific parameters in each group of parame-
ters the S-BIM tools must be able to handle in order to make a structural analysis according to
Eurocodes.

The calculations are made both by hand and by a suitable software application. StaadPro is
used for both the steel and the timber structure, whereas the application Column and beam design
from NordSoft ApS [Rasmussen and Rasmussen, 2010] is used for the concrete structure. The
choice of software applications is not important for the employed method.

3.3 Simply supported steel beam

The first structure, for which the tests are performed, is a 6 m simply supported steel beam,
subjected to an arbitrary line load of q = 5 kN/m as shown in Figure 3.2. The beam is an
IPE200-profile of steel type S235.

The statical system of the steel beam and the cross section are shown in Figure 3.2.

tf
z z
q
y

h
tw
x

r
l
b

Figure 3.2 Left: Simply supported beam. Right: Cross section of an IPE profile.

The chosen cross section and magnitude of the line load provides sufficient bending and shear
strength but insufficient lateral torsional buckling resistance. This choice is made to ensure that
the S-BIM tools not only check the most simple design criteria.

Relevant design criteria for the steel beam are found by a code check cf. BS EN 1993-1-1:2005
[2005] in StaadPro and hand calculations cf. DS/EN 1993-1-1 [2007]. The design criteria are:

• EC3: 6.2.5 Bending moment

• EC3: 6.2.6 Shear
• EC3: 6.3.2 Buckling resistance

The parameters needed to evaluate the three design criteria are presented in Appendix C.1.

No partial factor is applied to the load, since the size of the load is irrelevant in order to evaluate
the S-BIM tools and the results obtained. In principle also no partial factors should be applied
to the material properties. However partial factors according to BS EN 1993-1-1:2005 [2005] are
applied since they are defined by default in both StaadPro and Robot.

In order to test the applicability of updating backwards to Revit changes are made one at a time
in Robot and StaadPro, respectively. The tests contain the following changes:

29
3. Analysis of S-BIM tools – simple structures

• The cross section is changed from IPE200 to IPE220

• The length of the beam is changed with 1 m

• The material is changed from steel S235 to S355

• The line load is changed from 5.0 kN/m to 6.0 kN/m

• The supports are changed from pinned and roller to fixed

The changes are chosen to show how well the S-BIM tools handle the groups of parameters
presented in Section 3.2 when updating backwards to Revit.

3.3.1 Results of tests

Based on the above described design criteria and the design parameters in Appendix C.1 the
applicability of the S-BIM tools are tested by means of the simply supported steel beam. The
results are given in Table 3.1 on page 32. Where needed a note is given after the table.

The procedures leading to the results in Table 3.1 demand different choices from the user. The
procedures in connection with each S-BIM tool are described in Appendix C.2.

A screendump of the steel beam modelled in Revit is shown in Figure 3.3. After using the
add-on tool and the direct links to Robot and StaadPro the steel beam appears as shown in
Figure 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6.

Analytical line

Figure 3.3 Steel beam with line load in Revit. Figure 3.4 Steel beam with line load in the
Revit add-on tool.

30
 3.3 Simply supported steel beam

Figure 3.5 Steel beam with line load in Robot. Figure 3.6 Steel beam with line load in Staad-
Pro.

Note that the coordinate system in StaadPro is different from the coordinate systems in Revit
and Robot.

As shown in Figure 3.3 the analytical line is placed in the top of the beam which is default
in Revit. In Robot and StaadPro the analytical representation of the beam is convergent with
the centreline. This difference has no influence of the results for the simply supported beam.
However the difference needs to be kept in mind in connection with more complex structures
where it can be important.

31
3. Analysis of S-BIM tools – simple structures

RVT RVT RVT RVT RVT RVT RVT

add-on ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ IFC
RSA RSA SPro SPro RSA
1. Section properties
Section class ÷ ÷ 3 1 3 1 ÷
Height h 3 ÷ 3 3 3 3 ÷
Width b 3 ÷ 3 3 3 3 ÷
Web thickness tw 3 ÷ 3 3 3 3 ÷
Flange thickness t f 3 ÷ 3 3 3 3 ÷
Radius r 3 ÷ ÷ 3 ÷ 3 ÷
Area A 3 3 3 3 3 3 ÷
Shear area Az ÷ ÷ 3 1 3 1 ÷
Moment of inertia Iy ÷ 3 3 1 3 1 ÷
Moment of inertia Iz ÷ ÷ 3 1 3 1 ÷
Torsion constant It ÷ ÷ ÷ 1 ÷ 1 ÷
Warping constant Iw ÷ ÷ ÷ 1 ÷ 1 ÷
Elastic modulus Wel,y ÷ ÷ ÷ 1 3 1 ÷
Plastic modulus Wpl,y ÷ ÷ 3 1 3 1 ÷
Radius of gyration i ÷ ÷ 3 1 3 1 ÷
2. Geometry
Length l 3 3 3 ÷ 3 ÷ 3
Effective length le f f ÷ ÷ 3 1 3 1 ÷
3. Material properties
Yield stress f y 3 ÷ 3 ÷ ÷2 ÷ ÷
Modulus of elasticity E 3 3 3 ÷ 3 ÷ ÷
Shear modulus G 3 ÷ 3 ÷ 3 ÷ ÷
Density ρ 3 3 3 ÷ 3 ÷ ÷
4. Loads
Magnitude q 3 3 3 ÷ 3 ÷ ÷3
Position 3 3 3 ÷ 3 ÷ ÷3
5. Boundary conditions
Pinned 3 3 3 ÷ 3 ÷ ÷3
Roller 3 3 3 ÷ ÷4 ÷ ÷3
6. Design data
Moment capacity Mc,R ÷ ÷ 3 1 3 1 ÷
Shear capacity Vc,R ÷ ÷ ÷ 1 3 1 ÷
Reduction factor χ LT ÷ ÷ 35 1 ÷ 1 ÷
Imperfection factor α LT ÷ ÷ 35 1 ÷ 1 ÷
Buckling curve ÷ ÷ 35 1 ÷ 1 ÷
LTB moment capacity Mb,R ÷ ÷ 35 1 3 1 ÷
7. Results
Deflection ÷ 3 36 1 3 1 ÷
Section forces ÷ 3 3 1 3 1 ÷
EC3 6.2.5 ÷ ÷ 3 1 3 1 ÷
EC3 6.2.6 (Z) ÷ ÷ ÷ 1 3 1 ÷
EC3 6.3.2 LTB ÷ ÷ 3 1 3 1 ÷
Table 3.1 Test results for the simply supported steel beam. 3 means no problems and ÷ means that it does not
work or that the parameter/feature is not available.

32
 3.3 Simply supported steel beam

Notes to Table 3.1:

1) This parameter is not available in Revit.

2) By default set to 235 MPa in StaadPro. Must be defined manually if different from this
value.

3) Due to the limitations of the IFC Coordination View, cf. Section 2.5.3.

4) The degrees of freedom should be fxxfff † in Revit coordinates corresponding to xxffff in

StaadPro coordinates but the degrees of freedom are ffxfff in StaadPro coordinates.

5) In Robot the lateral torsional buckling curve is set to “b”, but should have been “a”. Thus
the imperfection factor and reduction factor and thereby the lateral torsional buckling mo-
ment capacity are different from the hand calculations. Furthermore the critical moment for
lateral-torsional buckling is calculated accordingly to another theory (ENV311) than used
in the hand calculations and StaadPro.

6) The deflection is 18 mm without code check, but 22 mm at code check. The correct result is
22 mm cf. Table C.7 in Appendix C.1

3.3.2 Evaluation of tests

Based on the results presented in Table 3.1 an evaluation of the tests performed for the steel
beam is made.

Revit add-on tool (RVT add-on)

HIIII
In the first test the Revit add-on tool Revit Extensions, Simulation - Static Analysis of Frames gets
one star because it is useful in relation to compute the section forces and deflection. On the
other hand it is not possible to assess the design criteria with the Revit add-on tool.

Direct link from Revit to Robot and backwards (RVT ↔ RSA)

HHHHI
The direct link from Revit to Robot and backwards gets four stars because it is possible to
exchange all relevant data from Revit to Robot. However, only the section properties are up-
dated backwards from Robot to Revit. Note that a code check in Robot does not include shear,
however this has nothing to do with the link and therefore does not influence the evaluation.

Direct link from Revit to StaadPro and backwards (RVT ↔ SPro)

HHHHI
Like the link between Revit and Robot the direct link from Revit to StaadPro and backwards
gets four stars. All the relevant parameters are exchanged from Revit to StaadPro which makes
the link useful as a one way link. However, only the section properties are updated backwards
from StaadPro to Revit.
IFC
Indirect link from Revit to Robot (RVT → RSA)
IIIII
The last test with the steel beam is performed with an indirect link from Revit to Robot. The
IFC-link gets zero stars because only the length of the steel beam was exchanged from Revit to
†f marks a free degree of freedom whereas x marks a fixed degree of freedom. The three first positions are
related to the translations in the three directions (x, y and z) and the three last positions are related to the rotations
about the three directions.

33
3. Analysis of S-BIM tools – simple structures

Robot. Thus the only optimisation in connection with the IFC-link is that it is possible to reuse
node and bar coordinates.

3.4 Simply supported timber column

The second structure, for which the tests are performed, is a 3 m simply supported timber
column, subjected to an arbitrary point load of P = 20 kN and a line load of q = 5 kN/m as
shown in Figure 3.7. The point load is a permanent load and the line load is an instantaneous
load. The column is 150 × 150 mm and made of timber C24.

The statical system of the timber column and the cross section are shown in Figure 3.7.

h
q
l

Figure 3.7 Left: Simply supported column. Right: Cross section.

A relevant design criterion for the timber column is found by StaadPro and hand calculations
cf. DS/EN 1995-1-1 [2007]. The design criterion is:

• EC5: 6.3.2 Columns subjected to combined compression and bending

The parameters needed to evaluate the design criterion are presented in Appendix D.1.

As it was the case for the steel beam, no partial factors are applied to the loads. Partial factors
are applied to the material properties cf. DS/EN 1995-1-1 [2007], since they are defined by
default in both StaadPro and Robot.

In order to test the applicability of updating backwards to Revit the following changes are
made:

• The cross section is changed from 150 × 150 mm to 125 × 125 mm

• The length of the column is changed from 3.0 m to 3.2 m
• The material is changed from timber C24 to Gl32c
• The line load is changed from 5.0 kN/m to 6.0 kN/m

34
 3.4 Simply supported timber column

• The supports are changed from pinned and roller to fixed

The changes are chosen to show how well the S-BIM tools handle the groups of parameters
presented in Section 3.2 when updating backwards to Revit from Robot and StaadPro, respec-
tively.

3.4.1 Results of tests

Based on the design criterion described above and the design parameters in Appendix D.1 the
applicability of the S-BIM tools are tested by means of the simply supported timber column.
The results are given in Table 3.2 on the next page.

The procedures leading to the results in Table 3.2 demand different choices from the user. The
procedures in connection with each S-BIM tool are described in Appendix D.2.

A screendump of the timber column modelled in Revit is shown in Figure 3.8. After using the
add-on tool and the direct links to Robot and StaadPro the timber column appears as shown in
Figure 3.9, 3.10 and 3.11.

Analytical line

Figure 3.8 Timber column with loads in Re- Figure 3.9 Timber column with line load in
vit. the Revit add-on tool.

Figure 3.10 Timber column with loads in Figure 3.11 Timber column with loads in
Robot. StaadPro.

35
3. Analysis of S-BIM tools – simple structures

Note that in both the Revit add-on tool, Robot and StaadPro the anisotropic timber is treated
as isotropic.

The analytical line for the column is placed in the centre by default in Revit. This corresponds
with the analytical representation of the column in Robot and StaadPro.

RVT RVT RVT RVT RVT RVT RVT

add-on ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ IFC
RSA RSA SPro SPro RSA
1. Section properties
Height h 3 ÷ 3 ÷2 ÷ ÷ 3
Width b 3 ÷ 3 ÷2 ÷ ÷ 3
Area A 3 3 3 ÷2 ÷ ÷ 3
Moment of inertia Iy 3 3 3 ÷2 ÷ ÷ 3
Elastic modulus Wel,y 3 ÷ 3 ÷2 ÷ ÷ ÷
2. Geometry
Length l 3 3 3 ÷ 3 ÷ 3
3. Material properties
Characteristic bending strength f m,k 3 ÷ 3 ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷
Characteristic compressive strength f c,0,k 3 ÷ 3 ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷
Characteristic modulus of elasticity Ek 3 3 3 ÷ 3 ÷ ÷
Density ρ 3 3 3 ÷ 3 ÷ ÷
4. Loads
Duration ÷ ÷ 33 1 33 1 ÷4
Magnitude P, q 3 3 3 ÷ 3 ÷ ÷4
Position 3 3 3 ÷ 3 ÷ ÷4
Combination 3 3 3 ÷ 3 ÷ ÷4
5. Boundary conditions
Pinned 3 3 3 ÷ 3 ÷ ÷4
Roller 3 3 3 ÷ ÷5 ÷ ÷4
6. Design data
Allowable bending stress f m,d ÷ ÷ 3 1 ÷ 1 ÷
Allowable normal stress f c,d ÷ ÷ 3 1 ÷ 1 ÷
Modification factor k mod ÷ ÷ 3 1 ÷ 1 ÷
Instability factor k c ÷ ÷ 3 1 ÷ 1 ÷
Service class ÷ ÷ 3 1 ÷ 1 ÷
7. Results
Section forces ÷ ÷6 3 1 ÷ 1 ÷
EC5: 6.3.2 ÷ ÷ 3 1 ÷ 1 ÷
Table 3.2 Test results for the simply supported timber column. 3 means no problems and ÷ means that it does
not work or that the parameter/feature is not available.

Notes to Table 3.2:

1) This parameter is not available in Revit.

2) When changing the cross section in Robot the column is stored in a wrong family∗ in Revit.
∗ Familiesin Revit are classes of elements. A family groups elements with a common set of parameters or prop-
erties, identical use, and similar graphical representation [Revit Metric Tutorials, 2009].

36
 3.5 Continuous concrete beam

If the new cross section already exists in Revit the application will choose the right family.

3) Load duration is not available in Revit and must be added manually before analyses are
performed.

4) Due to the limitations of the IFC Coordination View, cf. Section 2.5.3.

5) The degrees of freedom should be xxffff in Revit coordinates corresponding to xfxfff in

StaadPro coordinates but the degrees of freedom are xxffff in StaadPro coordinates.

6) The directions are changed so that vertical is horizontal i.e. the reactions and section forces
are wrong.

3.4.2 Evaluation of tests

Based on the results presented in Table 3.2 an evaluation of the applicability of the S-BIM tools
in relation to the timber column is made.

Revit add-on tool (RVT add-on)

IIIII
The add-on tool Revit Extensions, Simulation - Static Analysis of Frames gets no stars because it
is not possible to compute neither the deflection nor the section forces, or to assess the design
criteria.

Direct link from Revit to Robot and backwards (RVT ↔ RSA)

HHHII
The link gets three stars because it is possible to exchange all relevant data from Revit to Robot.
However Revit can only update the cross section if the cross section was preloaded in Revit.

Direct link from Revit to StaadPro and backwards (RVT ↔ SPro)

HHIII
The link gets two stars because it is useful in relation to geometry, material properties, loads and
partly supports, whereas the cross section must be defined manually. If this is done StaadPro
checks the same design criterion as Robot and gives the same results. The link from StaadPro
to Revit is useless since no information can be exchanged this way.
IFC
Indirect link from Revit to Robot (RVT → RSA)
IIIII
The IFC-link also gets zero stars in this test because only the length and the cross section of the
timber column was exchanged from Revit to Robot.

3.5 Continuous concrete beam

The third structure, for which the tests are performed, is a continuous concrete beam with two
spans of 6.3 m. The beam is subjected to an arbitrary line load of q = 50 kN/m as shown in
Figure 3.12. The beam is 300 × 500 mm and the concrete is C25/30. In the bottom of the beam
6 16 mm reinforcement bars are placed and in the top of the beam 4 16 mm reinforcements
bars are placed. Furthermore 6 mm stirrups with varying spacing are placed according to the
variation of the shear force.

The statical system of the concrete beam and the cross section are shown in Figure 3.12.

37
3. Analysis of S-BIM tools – simple structures

Figure 3.12 Left: Continuous beam. Right: Cross section.

There are many design possibilities with different levels of detail for reinforced concrete. The
design criteria for the reinforced concrete beam in these tests are based on a calculation in the
application Column and beam design from NordSoft ApS and a simple hand calculation, where
the section forces are calculated by means of plasticity. The chosen design criteria are:

• The amount of reinforcement should fulfil ωmin ≤ ω ≤ ωbal

• The moment capacity must be larger than the acting moment, MR ≥ M

• The inclined concrete compressive stress must be less than the plastic strength,
σc = τEd (tan θ + cot θ ) ≤ νν f cd

The parameters needed to evaluate the three design criteria are presented in Appendix E.1.

Since it is not clear whether the S-BIM tools use plasticity or elasticity, an elastic design of
the reinforced concrete beam is performed with the application Column and beam design from
NordSoft ApS.

As for the previous structures, no partial factors are applied to the load, since the size of the
load is irrelevant in order to evaluate the S-BIM tools and the results obtained. Partial factors
are applied to the materials cf. DS/EN 1992-1-1 [2008], since they are defined by default in both
StaadPro and Robot.

3.5.1 Results of tests

Based on the design criteria described above and the design parameters in Appendix E.1 the
applicability of the S-BIM tools are tested by means of the continuous concrete beam. The
results are given in Table 3.3 on page 40.

The procedures leading to the results in Table 3.3 demand different choices from the user. The
procedures in connection with each S-BIM tool are described in Appendix E.2.

In the tests performed for the concrete beam, the updating backwards to Revit from Robot or
StaadPro has not been performed. The reason for this is that the results of the exchange from
Revit to the two applications are rather incomplete, since the reinforcement modelled in Revit is
not transferred to neither Robot nor StaadPro. Therefore it is not relevant to update the models
back to Revit. Alternative possibilities for modelling reinforced concrete in the S-BIM tools are
described in Section 3.5.3.

38
 3.5 Continuous concrete beam

A screendump of the concrete beam modelled in Revit is shown in Figure 3.13. After using the
add-on tool and the direct links to Robot and StaadPro the concrete beam appears as shown in
Figure 3.14, 3.15 and 3.16.

Analytical line

Figure 3.13 Left: Cross section of reinforced concrete beam in Revit. Right: Reinforced concrete beam with line
load in Revit.

Figure 3.14 Concrete beam with line load in the Revit add-on tool. The cross section is not available.

Figure 3.15 Left: Cross section of concrete beam in Robot. Right: Concrete beam with line load in Robot.

Figure 3.16 Left: Cross section of concrete beam in StaadPro. Right: Concrete beam with line load in StaadPro.

As previously described and shown in Figure 3.13 to 3.16 the analytical line is placed in the top
of the beam in Revit but in the centre of the beam in Robot and StaadPro. This difference still
does not influence the results.

39
3. Analysis of S-BIM tools – simple structures

RVT RVT RVT RVT RVT

add-on ↓ ↓ ↓ IFC
RSA SPro RSA
1. Section properties
Height h 3 ÷ 3 3 3
Width b 3 ÷ 3 3 3
Moment of inertia Iy ÷ 3 3 ÷ 3
Effective height d 3 ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷
Internal moment arm z ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷
Diameter of reinforcement 3 ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷
Number of reinforcement 3 ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷
Diameter of stirrups 3 ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷
Spacing of stirrups s 3 ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷
Position of reinforcement cs1 , cs2 , cs 3 ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷
2. Geometry
Length 3 3 3 3 3
3. Material properties
Yield strength of reinforcement f yk 3 ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷
Modulus of elasticity Es 3 ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷
Strength of concrete f ck 3 ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷
Axial tensile strength of concrete f ctm ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷
Modulus of elasticity E 3 3 ÷ 3 ÷
Density 3 3 ÷ 3 ÷
Ultimate compressive strain ε cu3 ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷
4. Loads
Duration ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷1
Magnitude q 3 3 3 3 ÷1
Position 3 3 3 3 ÷1
Combination 3 3 3 3 ÷1
5. Boundary conditions
Pinned 3 3 3 3 ÷1
Roller 3 3 3 ÷2 ÷1
6. Design data
Control class ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷
Environmental class ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷
Maximum aggregate size ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷
Moment capacity ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷
Factor λ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷
Reinforcement degree ωbal ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷
Reinforcement degree ωmin ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷
Actual ω ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷
7. Results
Deflection ÷ 3 3 3 ÷
Section forces ÷ 33 33 33 ÷
ωmin ≤ ω ≤ ωbal ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷
MR ≥ M ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷
σc ≤ νν f cd ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷
Table 3.3 Test results for the continuous concrete beam. 3 means no problems and ÷ means that it does not work
or that the parameter/feature is not available.

40
 3.5 Continuous concrete beam

Notes to Table 3.3:

1) Due to the limitations of the IFC Coordination View, cf. Section 2.5.3.
2) The degrees of freedom should be fxxfff in Revit coordinates corresponding to xxffff in
StaadPro coordinates but the degrees of freedom are ffxfff in StaadPro coordinates.
3) Elastic calculation (Hand calculation: Plastic).

3.5.2 Evaluation of tests

Based on the results presented in Table 3.3 an evaluation of the applicability of the S-BIM tools
in relation to the continuous concrete beam is made.

Revit add-on tool (RVT add-on)

HIIII
The add-on tool Revit Extensions, Simulation - Static Analysis of Frames gets one star since the
extension is useful in relation to compute the deflection and elastic section forces, but useless
in relation to assess the design criteria. However in this test the extension is as good as the
direct links.

Direct link from Revit to Robot and backwards (RVT ↔ RSA)

HIIII
The link from Revit to Robot gets one star in the performed test because the results are identical
to the results obtained with the Revit Extension.

Direct link from Revit to StaadPro and backwards (RVT ↔ SPro)

HIIII
The link from Revit to StaadPro also gets one star in the performed test because the results are
identical to the results obtained with the Revit Extension and the link between Revit and Robot.
IFC
Indirect link from Revit to Robot (RVT → RSA)
IIIII
The IFC-link gets zero stars because only the length and the cross section of the continuous
concrete beam were exchanged from Revit to Robot.

3.5.3 Alternative procedures

Since the previous tests of designing concrete structures were not very successful some alter-
natives are presented. In stead of modelling the concrete and the reinforcement in Revit and
then exchanging both to the calculation software, only the concrete is modelled in Revit. Hence
the calculation software is used to find the necessary amount of reinforcement. Three different
alternatives are presented briefly in the following.

Revit Extensions, Reinforcement Design

This tool is used to utilize RC Beams in Robot which is used to calculate the necessary amount
and placement of reinforcement according to EN 1992-1-1:2004 AC:2008 [2004]. The result is
that 8 16 mm reinforcement bars are needed in the top of the beam and 10 16 mm rein-
forcement bars are needed in the bottom as shown in Figure 3.17. This is fairly different from
the result of the hand calculations. This might be due to the fact that Robot is based on elastic
calculations where the hand calculations are based on plasticity. Note that the yield strength of
the reinforcement is not 550 MPa but 500 MPa.

It is possible to update the reinforcement calculated in Robot back to Revit.

41
3. Analysis of S-BIM tools – simple structures

Figure 3.17 Screendump from Robot RC Beams.

Revit Extensions, Integration with Robot Structural Analysis

This tool is used to utilize Robot where Structure design, RC Members - required reinf. is used
to calculated the necessary amount of reinforcement according to EN 1992-1-1:2004 AC:2008
[2004]. The result is that 7 16 mm reinforcement bars are needed in the top of the beam and
3 16 mm reinforcement bars are needed in the bottom, as shown in Figure 3.18. This is fairly
different from the result of the hand calculations and the result obtained by use of RC Beams.
No specific information about the placement of the reinforcement is given.

It is not possible to update the structure in Revit.

Figure 3.18 Screendump from Robot Structure design, RC Members - required reinf.

SI Xchange
This tool is used to utilize StaadPro where Design - Concrete: EC2 can be used to calculate
the necessary amount of reinforcement according to Eurocode 2. The result is that 8 16 mm
reinforcement bars are needed in the top of the beam and 4 16 mm reinforcement bars are
needed in the bottom as shown in Figure 3.19. This is also fairly different from the result of the
hand calculations and the result obtained by use of RC Beams and Structure design, RC Members
- required reinf.

It is not possible to update the structure in Revit.

42
 3.6 Subconclusion

___ 2J____________________ 6300.X 300.X 500_____________________ 4J____ ___ 4J____________________ 6300.X 300.X 500_____________________ 6J____
| =====================|| ||==================== |
| 4No16=H=460.4552.TO=6300|| ||4No16=H=460.===0.TO=1748 |
| 4No16|H|428.4552.TO 6300 | | 4No16 H 428.| |0.TO 1748 |
| 7*8 c/c262 | | | |22*8 c/c125 | | 22*8 c/c124 | | | | 7*8 c/c262 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 4No16 H 33. 0.TO 5433 | | | | | | | | |4No16|H| 33. 867.TO 6300 |
||================================================================ | | =================================================================||
|___________________________________________________________________________| |___________________________________________________________________________|
_________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________
| | | | | | | | | oooo | | oooo | | oooo | | oooo | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | 4#16 | | 4#16 | | 4#16 | | 4#16 | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 4#16 | | 4#16 | | 4#16 | | 4#16 | | 4#16 | | | | | | 4#16 | | 4#16 | | 4#16 | | 4#16 | | 4#16 |
| oooo | | oooo | | oooo | | oooo | | oooo | | | | | | oooo | | oooo | | oooo | | oooo | | oooo |
|_________| |_________| |_________| |_________| |_________| |_________| |_________| |_________| |_________| |_________| |_________| |_________|

Figure 3.19 Output from StaadPro, Design - Concrete: EC:2.

The outputs from the three alternatives are rather different, both from each other and from the
hand calculations. Thus it is difficult to recommend one of the methods, but in relation to this
study Revit Extensions, Reinforcement Design is most preferable since it is possible to export the
concrete structure without reinforcement from Revit, then calculate/model the reinforcement
in Robot, and finally send the reinforcement back to Revit.

3.6 Subconclusion
In order to give an initial answer to the thesis statement, presented in Section 2.6, this chapter
has been divided in three sections where different simple structures have formed the basis of
this evaluation of the applicabilities of the tested S-BIM tools.

In Section 3.3 a simply supported steel beam was chosen since it is a very simple structural
element in an isotropic material which the S-BIM tools were expected to handle without any
errors.

In Section 3.4 a simply supported timber column was chosen to show if the S-BIM tools were
able to handle an anisotropic material as timber. Furthermore the supports were rotated com-
pared to the beam, which the S-BIM tools should be able to handle regardless of different de-
fault coordinate systems in the applications.

In Section 3.5 a continuous concrete beam was chosen to show if the S-BIM tools were able to
handle a composite material as reinforced concrete and the supports for a continuous beam.

For both the steel beam and the reinforced concrete beam the analytical line was placed in the
top of the beam by default in Revit. By contrast the analytical representation of the beam is
convergent with the centreline in Robot and StaadPro. This difference have no influence of
the results for these simple structures. However the difference needs to be kept in mind in
connection with the more complex structures in the following chapters.

Revit add-on tool (RVT add-on)

When analysing both the simply supported steel beam and the continuous concrete beam it is
concluded that the add-on tool Revit Extensions, Simulation - Static Analysis of Frames is capable
of calculating section forces and deflection. This can give an overview of the structure in a
feasibility study. No useful results could be found by use of the Revit add-on tool when testing
the timber column. No assessment of the design criteria given in the Eurocodes is possible in
the employed add-on tool.

Direct link from Revit to Robot and backwards (RVT ↔ RSA)

This direct link Integration with Robot Structural Analysis makes it possible to evaluate the steel

43
3. Analysis of S-BIM tools – simple structures

structure according to Eurocode 3, and full one-way linking from Revit to Robot is possible.
Only the section properties are updated backwards from Robot to Revit. The timber structure
is evaluated according to Eurocode 5, and almost full one-way linking is possible. The cross
section can be updated if a library of the necessary families is created in Revit. It has not been
possible to transfer the reinforcement modelled in Revit to Robot, hence the results from the
analysis made in Robot are similar to those obtained by the Revit add-on tool in connection
with the concrete beam.

Direct link from Revit to StaadPro and backwards (RVT ↔ SPro)

The results of the tests of the direct link SI Xchange are quite similar to those for the direct link
from Revit to Robot and backwards, except for the fact that this direct link does not support
timber materials cf. Section 2.5.2. The fact that it is only possible to update section properties
backwards to Revit, is in compliance with Section 2.5.2, where it is stated that only the size
changes and column rotations are being updated in Revit.
IFC
Indirect link from Revit to Robot (RVT → RSA)
The indirect IFC-link is rather useless in the tests performed in this chapter, since primarily
node and bar coordinates are transferred. This is not due to limitations of the IFC file format
but due to limitations in the implementation of IFC in Revit and Robot, where only IFC 2x3
Coordination View is supported. In complex structures the IFC-link might be to the of benefit
of the workflow regardless of the limitations.

Even though the structures in the following chapters are more complex, the IFC-file format will
not be tested further due to the limitations of the implementation of IFC in Revit and Robot.

Based on the tests performed in this chapter it is concluded that the link Integration with Robot
Structural Analysis is most preferable.

Both direct links fulfilled the expectations in connection with the steel beam in an equal manner.

Regarding the expectations in connection with the timber column none of the S-BIM tools were
able to handle the timber as an anisotropic material. Still the link Integration with Robot Struc-
tural Analysis is considered best, since it is the only link which could handle the rotated sup-
ports and the cross section of the timber column.

Regarding the concrete beam it is concluded that none of the S-BIM tools were able to handle
the composite material, since it is not possible to transfer reinforcement from Revit to any of
the calculation software tested. Though, it is possible to model the reinforcement in Robot and
then transfer it back to Revit, which might be the most preferable workflow in practice.

Based on this evaluation reinforced concrete will not be treated further in this project. Tests
based on a timber structure and a steel structure, with an increasing degree of complexity, will
be described in the next two chapters.

The timber frame structure in Chapter 4 is chosen regardless of the limitations of the SI Xchange
link in connection with timber. The reason for this is that it still might be an optimisation of
the information flow, since it is possible to transfer the geometry, loads and supports with the
link, and it is rather easy to assign the section properties and material properties manually in
StaadPro.

44
 Chapter 4
Analysis of S-BIM tools – timber frame structure

In this chapter, three of the S-BIM tools, presented in Section 2.6, are analysed
through a timber frame structure. Following an evaluation of the S-BIM tools are
given.

4.1 Introduction
In this chapter the applicability of each S-BIM tool is tested with a timber frame structure from
Krafthallen which is a sports centre in Tromsø, Norway. Krafthallen is shown in Figure 4.1.
The sports centre consists of 14 timber frames as the main structural elements. Krafthallen was
built in 1999 and severe shear cracks in three of the 14 timber frames were detected in March
2003. An analysis of damages to the structure and a description of the structure are given in
Bell [2005].

Timber frame

Figure 4.1 Krafthallen in Tromsø [Bell, 2005, p. 1].

One of the timber frame structures is shown in Figure 4.2. The timber frame structure is chosen
to see if the S-BIM tools can handle a structure which is more advanced than the simple struc-
tures in Chapter 3. The structure is more advanced in the sense that several elements are joint
together, that neither of the elements are vertical nor horizontal, and that several of the beams
are tapered with varying section height.

45
4. Analysis of S-BIM tools – timber frame structure

Figure 4.2 Timber frame structure [Kirkegaard and Sørensen, 2008, p. 7].

4.2 Methods of analysis

The specific method used in this chapter corresponds with the method used in Chapter 3 ex-
cept that the indirect link is no longer treated since the simple tests showed that the benefit of
using IFC was relative low with the employed applications. Thus the information flow treated
appears as illustrated in Figure 4.3.

BIM S-BIM Add-on Results

Add-on tool
Link
BIM S-BIM FEM Results
Direct link

BIM S-BIM IFC FEM Results

Indirect link

Figure 4.3 The information flow from the S-BIM (model) to the results of calculations.

The following S-BIM tools are tested:

• Revit add-on tool (RVT add-on)

• Direct link from Revit to Robot and backwards (RVT ↔ RSA)

• Direct link from Revit to StaadPro and backwards (RVT ↔ SPro)

Again the Revit add-on tool tested is the Revit Extensions, Simulation - Static Analysis of Frames.

The parameters which the S-BIM tools must be able to handle are arranged in the same groups
as described in Chapter 3. These groups of parameters are still:

46
 4.3 Basis of tests

1. Section properties
2. Geometry
3. Material properties
4. Loads
5. Boundary conditions
6. Design data
7. Results

For the timber frame structure an additional aspect is relevant. Namely the issue described
in Chapter 3 regarding the position of the analytical lines relative to the physical model in
Revit. Since several structural elements are joined in the frame structure, it is important that
the analytical representation corresponds with the physical model.

In order to show which specific parameters in each group of parameters the S-BIM tools must
be able to handle some initial and independent calculations are made. This is done according
to the design criteria in Eurocode 5. The calculations are as far as possible made both by hand
and by StaadPro. Some calculations are only made by hand, since it is not possible to make a
code check for tapered beams in StaadPro.

4.3 Basis of tests

The timber frame structure from Krafthallen in Tromsø is built of traditional beams and tapered
beams with varying cross section. The beams are supported by columns in four points. The
total width of the frame is 34.83 m whereas the biggest span is 17.75 m [Bell, 2005]. A sketch of
the timber frame structure is shown in Figure 4.4.

Figure 4.4 Nodes and elements in the timber frame structure.

The timber frame structure is subjected to line loads of g = 7, 5 kN/m and q = 15, 0 kN/m
corresponding to self weight of the roof and snow load, respectively. The width of the beams
is 200 mm and the height is varying from 220 mm to 1250 mm. The width and height of the
columns varies from 150 mm to 260 mm. All elements are modelled as glulam timber Gl36c1 .

There are different design criteria for the elements in the timber frame structure. The relevant
design criteria are found by StaadPro and hand calculations cf. DS/EN 1995-1-1 [2007]. The
design criteria are as follows:
1 Note that the timber code check in StaadPro only supports timber strength classes according to EN 338:2003
[2003]. Thus the timber is modelled as Hardwood D40 in the StaadPro code check.

47
4. Analysis of S-BIM tools – timber frame structure

• EC5: 6.3.2 Columns subjected to combined compression and bending

• EC5: 6.3.3 Beams subjected to combined bending and compression

• EC5: 6.2.3 Combined bending and axial compression

• EC5: 6.1.7 Shear

• EC5: 6.4.3 Double tapered, curved and pitched cambered beams

• EC5: 7.2 Limiting values for deflections of beams

The elements or nodes to which the design criteria are relevant are shown in Figure 4.5.

Figure 4.5 Relevant design criteria for the timber frame structure.

The parameters needed to evaluate the design criteria are presented in Appendix F.1.

As it was the case for the simple structures, no partial factors are applied to the loads, since
the size of the load is irrelevant in order to evaluate the S-BIM tools and the results obtained.
Also no partial factors should be applied to the material properties. However, partial factors
according to DS/EN 1995-1-1 [2007] are applied since they are defined by default in Robot and
StaadPro.

In order to test the applicability of updating backwards to Revit changes are made one at a time
in Robot and StaadPro respectively. The tests contain the following changes:

• The cross section of a column is changed from 200 × 200 mm to 260 × 260 mm

• The length of a beam is changed with 300 mm

• The material is changed from Gl36c to Gl32c

• The load corresponding to self weight of the roof is changed from 7.5 kN/m to 8.5 kN/m

• One of the supports are changed from pinned to fixed

The changes are chosen to show how well the S-BIM tools handle the groups of parameters
presented in Section 4.2 when updating backwards to Revit.

48
 4.3 Basis of tests

4.3.1 Modelling and handling issues

Revit has no default family for tapered beams. Thus a new family for tapered beams must be
created manually in Revit. This is done relatively simple. But it is not possible to manually
define the positioning of the analytical representation of the tapered beam. I.e. it is impossible
to create a family with a satisfactory analytical representation of the tapered beams. Either
the analytical line is placed in the top of the element or in the middle of the element but in a
position that does not correspond with the centre line through the element. This issue is shown
in Figure 4.6.

Timber beam Timber beam

Timber column Timber column

Figure 4.6 Screendump from Revit. Left: Analytical model positioned in the top of the beams. Right: Analytical
model positioned in the centre of the beams.

Neither of the solutions shown in Figure 4.6 provides a satisfactory physical representation of
the frame structure. However, the solution with the analytical lines placed in the top of the
beam elements provides a satisfactory analytical representation. Thus, this model is used for
testing the applicability of the S-BIM tools, with the following results:

• Revit add-on tool (RVT add-on)

When trying to test the Revit add-on tool, it does not load, but gives a warning about
incorrect geometric properties. I.e. it is not possible to analyse tapered elements in this
add-on tool.

• Direct link from Revit to Robot and backwards (RVT ↔ RSA)

It is not possible to export the cross section of the tapered beams to Robot.

• Direct link from Revit to StaadPro and backwards (RVT ↔ SPro)

None of the cross sections are exported to StaadPro. StaadPro does not support code
check of tapered timber beams.

According to the above described lacks, the tapered beams are modelled as pieces of beams
with constant rectangular cross section as shown in Figure 4.7.

The changed parameters for this model are presented in Appendix F.2.

49
4. Analysis of S-BIM tools – timber frame structure

Figure 4.7 The timber frame structure with beams of constant rectangular cross section.

Since it is not possible to define node points or to snap to crossings between levels and grid lines
in Revit, steel columns have been added instead of nodes and the timber beams and columns
are drawn between the top points of the steel columns. This provides a satisfactory analytical
representation of the timber frame. The steel columns are only added due to the modelling
limitations in Revit, hence they are not included in the structural analysis. The steel columns
are shown in Figure 4.8.

Timber beam Timber beam

Steel column

Timber column Timber column

Figure 4.8 Screendump from Revit. Left: Columns are added to the nodes. Right: The analytical model is correct.

As shown in Figure 4.8 the analytical representation of the beams is convergent with the cen-
treline. Thus the positioning of the elements should not be an issue in Robot or StaadPro.

4.4 Results of tests

Based on the design criteria described in Section 4.3, the design parameters in Appendix F.1
and F.2, and the procedure described in Appendix F.3, the applicability of the S-BIM tools are
tested by means of the timber frame structure. The results are given in Table 4.1 on page 52.

Note that the design criteria are defined for the original structure with tapered beams, whereas
the tests are based on the Revit model where the tapered beams are replaced with pieces of
beams with constant rectangular cross section.

A screendump of the timber frame structure modelled in Revit is shown in Figure 4.9. After
using the add-on tool and the direct links to Robot and StaadPro the timber frame structure
appears as shown in Figure 4.10, 4.11 and 4.12.

The analytical and physical representation are consistent in the four models.

Note that in both Robot and StaadPro the anisotropic timber is treated as isotropic.

50
 4.4 Results of tests

Line load

Figure 4.9 Statical system and line load in Revit.

Line load

Figure 4.10 Statical system and line load in the Revit add-on tool.

Line load

Figure 4.11 Statical system and line load in Robot.

Line load

Figure 4.12 Statical system and line load in StaadPro.

51
4. Analysis of S-BIM tools – timber frame structure

RVT RVT RVT RVT RVT RVT

add-on ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑
RSA RSA SPro SPro
1. Section properties
Height h 3 ÷ 3 ÷2 ÷ ÷
Width b 3 ÷ 3 ÷2 ÷ ÷
Area A 3 3 3 ÷2 ÷ ÷
Moment of inertia Iy 3 3 3 ÷2 ÷ ÷
Elastic modulus Wel,y 3 ÷ 3 ÷2 ÷ ÷
2. Geometry
Length l 3 3 3 ÷ 3 ÷
3. Material properties
Characteristic bending strength f m,k 3 ÷ 3 ÷2 ÷ ÷
Characteristic tensile strength f t,0,k ÷ ÷ 33 1 ÷ 1

Characteristic tensile strength f t,90,k 3 ÷ 3 ÷2 ÷ ÷

Characteristic compressive strength f c,0,k 3 ÷ 3 ÷2 ÷ ÷
Characteristic shear strength f v,k 3 ÷ 3 ÷2 ÷ ÷
Characteristic modulus of elasticity Ek 3 3 3 ÷2 3 ÷
Characteristic value of shear modulus G 3 ÷ 3 ÷2 3 ÷
Density ρ 3 3 3 ÷2 3 ÷
4. Loads
Duration ÷ ÷ 34 1 34 1

Magnitude q, g 3 3 3 ÷ 36 ÷
Position 3 3 35 ÷ 36 ÷
Combination 3 3 3 ÷ 3 ÷
5. Boundary conditions
Pinned 3 3 3 ÷ 3 ÷
Releases 3 37 3 ÷ 3 ÷
6. Design data
Allowable bending stress f m,d ÷ ÷ 3 1 ÷ 1

Allowable tensile stress f t,0,d ÷ ÷ 3 1 ÷ 1

Allowable tensile stress f t,90,d ÷ ÷ ÷ 1 ÷ 1

Allowable normal stress f c,0,d ÷ ÷ 3 1 ÷ 1

Allowable shear stress f v,d ÷ ÷ 3 1 ÷ 1

Modification factor k mod ÷ ÷ 3 1 ÷ 1

Instability factor k c,y ÷ ÷ 38 1 ÷ 1

Factor for lateral buckling k crit ÷ ÷ 3 1 ÷ 1

Volume factor k vol ÷ ÷ ÷9 1 ÷ 1

Factor for distribution of stresses k dis ÷ ÷ ÷9 1 ÷ 1

Service class ÷ ÷ 3 1 ÷ 1

7. Results
Section forces ÷ 310 310 1 ÷ 1

EC5: 6.3.2 ÷ ÷ 311 1 ÷ 1

EC5: 6.3.3 ÷ ÷ 3 1 ÷ 1

EC5: 6.2.3 ÷ ÷ 3 1 ÷ 1

EC5: 6.1.7 ÷ ÷ 3 1 ÷ 1

EC5: 6.4.3 ÷ ÷ ÷ 1 ÷ 1

EC5: 7.2 ÷ 3 3 1 ÷ 1

Table 4.1 Test results for the timber frame structure. 3 means no problems and ÷ means that it does not work or
that the parameter/feature is not available.
52
 4.4 Results of tests

Notes to Table 4.1:

1) This parameter is not available in Revit.

2) When changing the cross section in Robot the column is stored in a wrong family in Revit.
If the new cross section already exists in Revit the application will choose the right family.
When changing the material properties, it only works if the material added in Robot already
exists in Revit. If the new material does not exist in advance in Revit it does not work.

3) This parameter is only available since Robot has Gl36c in its default material library.

4) Load duration is not available in Revit and must be added manually before analyses are
performed.

5) The loads are outside element 12 and must be redefined.

6) There are no loads at element 10 and the loads at element 12 are placed wrong. Therefore
the loads at element 10 and 12 must be redefined.

7) The releases are only correct if the beams are drawn from left to right. For the columns the
releases are only correct if the columns slant to the right.

8) The instability factor k c,y are calculated in a different manner than given in DS/EN 1995-
1-1 [2007], which provides values that are approximately half of the hand calculations by
DS/EN 1995-1-1 [2007].

9) This parameter is needed for tapered beams, thus not given here, since the tapered beams
are replaced with pieces of beams with constant cross section.

10) Some elements are randomly chosen for check of section forces. The results from both the
Revit add-on tool and Robot vary slightly but are quite consistent with the results obtained
initially by StaadPro.

11) The utilization of the columns is higher, than for the hand calculations, since the instability
factor k c,y are lower in Robot than for the hand calculations by DS/EN 1995-1-1 [2007] as
described in note 8.

As shown in Table 4.1 the section properties are not transferred from Revit to StaadPro. There-
fore they must be defined manually, which is rather easily done, before analysis can be per-
formed in StaadPro.

Regarding the material, the SI Xchange link does not support timber materials as described in
Section 3.6. However the modulus of elasticity, the shear modulus and the density are trans-
ferred from Revit to StaadPro, whereas strengths parameters must be defined manually to
perform a code check. In StaadPro it is not possible to define glulam timber Gl36c since the
application only supports timber strength classes according to EN 338:2003 [2003]. Thus the
timber is modelled as Hardwood D40 in the StaadPro code check.

When section properties are assigned to the elements in StaadPro it is possible to get the section
forces and the deflection of the timber frame structure. Since the original structure with tapered
beams and the modified structure with pieces of beams with constant rectangular cross section
both are modelled in StaadPro, it is possible to check the influence of the modification. In
Table 4.2 some randomly chosen results for the timber frame structure are shown.

53
4. Analysis of S-BIM tools – timber frame structure

Position Tapered beams Pieces of beams

Element 2 M 0.65 0.65 kNm
N 274.1 280.0 kN
Element 6 M 0.3 0.3 kNm
N 422.0 415.0 kN
Node 5 M 728.0 733.0 kNm
N 153.5 149.1 kN
w 63.3 63.7 mm
Node 6 V 220.4 219.4 kN

Table 4.2 Comparison of randomly chosen section forces and deflection for the timber frame structure modelled in
StaadPro.

From Table 4.2 it can be seen that the difference between the results obtained for the timber
frame structure modelled with tapered beams and modelled with pieces of beams with con-
stant rectangular cross section are small. This shows that the modification does not have any
appreciable influence of the results.

Finally it should be noticed that if the strengths parameters are defined manually in StaadPro
the application check the same design criteria as Robot and gives almost the same results.

4.5 Evaluation of tests

Based on the results presented in Table 4.1 an evaluation of the applicability of the S-BIM tools
in relation to the timber frame structure is made.

Revit add-on tool (RVT add-on)

HIIII
The Revit add-on tool gets one star because it is useful in relation to compute the section forces
and deflection. On the other hand it is not possible to assess the design criteria with the Revit
add-on tool.

Direct link from Revit to Robot and backwards (RVT ↔ RSA)

HHHII
The direct link gets three stars because it is possible to exchange almost all relevant data from
Revit to Robot. However the load on one element was not transferred correctly. Pre-loading
the needed cross section and material properties is needed in Revit, in order to update the cross
section and material properties.

Direct link from Revit to StaadPro and backwards (RVT ↔ SPro)

HHIII
The link gets two stars because it is useful in relation to transfer geometry, material properties,
loads and supports from Revit to StaadPro, whereas the cross section must be defined manu-
ally. If this is done StaadPro checks the same design criteria as Robot and almost gives the same
results. The link from StaadPro to Revit is useless since no information can be exchanged this
way.

54
 4.6 Subconclusion

4.6 Subconclusion
In this chapter a timber frame structure from Krafthallen in Tromsø has formed the basis of the
evaluation of the applicabilities of the tested S-BIM tools.

The timber frame structure was chosen for this study to see if the S-BIM tools can handle a
timber frame structure which is more advanced than the simple structures in Chapter 3. The
structure is more advanced in the sense that several elements are joint together. Further neither
of the elements is vertical nor horizontal and several of the beams are tapered with varying
section height. Finally it is an advantage if the S-BIM tools are able to handle structures with
e.g. varying beam height since this is a ordinary type of structure.

Tapered beams could not be modelled satisfactorily in Revit. Neither could the tapered cross
sections be exported to any of the S-BIM tools. Hence the tapered beams in the timber frame
have been modelled as pieces of beams with constant rectangular cross section as an approxi-
mation.

Revit add-on tool (RVT add-on)

As it was the case for the simple structures in Chapter 3 it is concluded that the Revit add-
on tool is capable of calculating section forces and deflection. This gives an overview of the
structure for a feasibility study.

Direct link from Revit to Robot and backwards (RVT ↔ RSA)

As it was the case for the timber column in Chapter 3, this direct link makes it possible to eval-
uate the timber structure according to Eurocode 5. A full one-way linking is possible whereas
it is only possible to update some of the relevant parameters from Robot to Revit.

Direct link from Revit to StaadPro and backwards (RVT ↔ SPro)

As it was the case for the timber column in Chapter 3 it has not been possible to exchange
section properties. This was expected since the links SI Xchange currently only supports steel
and concrete materials. However the link is useful in relation to geometry, material properties,
loads and supports. It has not been possible to update anything backwards from StaadPro to
Revit.

Both direct links had an issue with the position of the loads on one of the elements in the timber
frame structure. This could be caused by a modelling error in Revit, but it has not been possible
to eliminate this issue.

Based on the tests performed so far it is still found that the direct link Integration with Robot
Structural Analysis is most preferable. Though it should be kept in mind that the SI Xchange link
was not developed for timber structures. Thus a steel structure is treated in the next chapter.

55
 Chapter 5
Analysis of S-BIM tools – 3D steel structure

In this chapter the step before the data exchange between the S-BIM software and
the FEM software is considered. Three of the S-BIM tools, presented in Section 2.6,
are analysed through a three-dimensional steel structure. Following an evaluation
of the S-BIM tools are given.

5.1 Introduction
In this chapter the applicability of each S-BIM tool is tested with a three-dimensional steel
structure from the House of Music in Aalborg, Denmark. The House of Music is approximately
20,000 m2 and includes among other things a concert hall for 1,300 guests, a rhythmical hall,
a classical hall and facilities for different educations within music. The project design of the
House of Music is still going on. The House of Music is shown in Figure 5.1. The project is
expected to be finished at the end of 2012 [Rambøll Danmark A/S].

Entrance – steel structure

Figure 5.1 The House of Music in Aalborg [CoopHimmelB(l)au, 2010].

The House of Music will consist of structures in concrete and steel. The three-dimensional steel
structure considered in this project is a part of the entrance to the House of Music. An overview
of the steel structure is shown in Figure 5.2. The structure is chosen to see if the S-BIM tools
can handle a structure which is more advanced than the timber frame structure in Chapter 4.

57
5. Analysis of S-BIM tools – 3D steel structure

The structure is more advanced in the sense that several elements are joint together in three
dimensions and that the overall form of the structure does not follow any traditional geometric
shape.

Figure 5.2 Steel structure from the entrance of the House of Music in Aalborg.

5.2 Methods of analysis

The specific method used in this chapter corresponds with the method used in Chapter 3 and 4.
However an additional aspect of the data exchange is considered since the three-dimensional
steel structure originally has been modelled by Rambøll in Tekla Structures [Tekla, 2010].

In order to be able to perform the tests of the S-BIM tools the steel structure is attempted im-
ported to Revit. Thus the information flow treated in this chapter appears as illustrated in
Figure 5.3.

BIM S-BIM Add-on Results

Add-on tool
Link
BIM S-BIM FEM Results
Direct link

BIM S-BIM IFC FEM Results

Indirect link

Figure 5.3 Information flow from the BIM (model) to the results of calculations.

58
 5.2 Methods of analysis

The following methods are used for import to Revit:

DWG
• Import to Revit via a DWG file (Tekla → RVT)
IFC
• Import to Revit via an IFC file (Tekla → RVT)
CIS/2
• Import to Revit via a CIS/2 file (Tekla → RVT)

When an analytical representation of the steel structure is available in Revit the following S-
BIM tools are tested:

• Revit add-on tool (RVT add-on)

• Direct link from Revit to Robot and backwards (RVT ↔ RSA)

• Direct link from Revit to StaadPro and backwards (RVT ↔ SPro)

It should be noticed that the tested add-on tool Revit Extensions, Simulation - Static Analysis of
Frames only work for plane structures. Since the steel structure is three-dimensional only some
chosen elements are analysed via the add-on tool.

The parameters which the S-BIM tools must be able to handle are arranged in the same groups
as described in Chapter 3 and 4. These groups of parameters are still:

1. Section properties

2. Geometry

3. Material properties

4. Loads

5. Boundary conditions

6. Design data

7. Results

In addition to the described groups of parameters the S-BIM tools must be able to handle the
issue concerning the analytical model. Since several structural elements are joined in the struc-
ture, it is important that the analytical representation corresponds with the physical model.
This can be a problem since the analytical line of a beam is placed in the top of the beam by
default in Revit but in the centre of the beam in Robot and StaadPro.

In order to show which specific parameters in each group of parameters the S-BIM tools must
be able to handle some initial and independent calculations are made. This is done according
to the design criteria in Eurocode 3. In this chapter the calculations are made by hand and
Robot.

59
5. Analysis of S-BIM tools – 3D steel structure

5.3 Basis of tests

The steel structure from the House of Music in Aalborg is built of traditional steel beams and
columns as well as a few special profiles, i.e. mainly IPE, SHS and UNP profiles. The structure
is shown in Figure 5.4 and is approximately 35 m long, 23 m wide and 9.5 m high.

The steel structure is subjected to self weight and snow load. The self weight is set to 1.5 kN/m2
at the facade and 2 kN/m2 at the roof. The snow load is set to 0.72 kN/m2 .

All elements are modelled as steel quality S355.

Three elements are randomly chosen for code check. A horizontal beam, a vertical column and
a slanted beam. The three elements have different positions, different relation to the adjacent
elements and are affected by different loads. The elements 106, 176 and 381 are highlighted in
Figure 5.4. These elements might not be the most critical elements, however the utilization of
each member is not important since design and optimization of the structure is not the objective
of this study.

Figure 5.4 Steel structure with elements for code check.

There are different design criteria for the selected elements in the steel structure. The relevant
design criteria are found by Robot and hand calculations cf. BS EN 1993-1-1:2005 [2005]. The
design criteria are as follows:

• EC3: 6.2.5 Bending moment

• EC3: 6.2.6 Shear

• EC3: 6.2.6-7 Shear - Torsion

• EC3: 6.3.3 Uniform members in bending and axial compression

The elements to which the design criteria are relevant are shown in Table 5.1.

60
 5.3 Basis of tests

Design criterion Element

EC3: 6.2.5 106 176 381
EC3: 6.2.6 106 381
EC3: 6.2.6-7 176
EC3: 6.3.3 106 176 381

Table 5.1 Design criteria and the elements to which they are employed.

The parameters needed to evaluate the design criteria are presented in Appendix G.1.

As it was the case for the previous structures, no partial factors are applied to the loads, since
the size of the load is irrelevant in order to evaluate the S-BIM tools and the results obtained.
Also no partial factors should be applied to the material properties. However, partial factors
according to BS EN 1993-1-1:2005 [2005] are applied since they are defined by default in both
Robot and StaadPro.

In order to test the applicability of updating backwards to Revit changes are made one at a time
in Robot and StaadPro respectively. The tests contain the following changes:

• The cross section of a column is changed from IPE400 to IPE500

• The length of a beam is changed by moving a pinned support 100 mm
• The material is changed from S355 to S235
• The snow load on a slanted beam is changed from 5.40/2.34 kN/m to 6.40/3.34 kN/m
• One of the supports are changed from pinned to roller

The changes are chosen to show how well the S-BIM tools handle the groups of parameters
presented in Section 5.2 when updating backwards to Revit.

5.3.1 Data exchange to Revit from Tekla Structures

So far, the focus has been on the exchange of data between the S-BIM software and the FEM
software. In order to review the information flow from the BIM (model) to the results of cal-
culations, the exchange of data from the BIM (model) to the S-BIM software also needs to be
investigated.

Like the data exchange between the S-BIM software and the FEM software, the data exchange
between the BIM (model) and the S-BIM software is a huge subject. Thus it will only be inves-
tigated briefly. Since the three-dimensional steel structure has been modelled by Rambøll in
Tekla Structures the data exchange from Tekla to Revit will be treated.

The three-dimensional steel structure has been available to the authors as a DWG file (*.dwg),
an IFC file (*.ifc) and a CIS/2 file (*.stp).

In order to be able to exchange data between the S-BIM software and the FEM software an ana-
lytical representation of the three-dimensional steel structure is needed. Therefore the structure
is imported to Revit from the three file formats (*.dwg), (*.ifc) and (*.stp). This is done to clar-
ify which file format provides the best representation of the structure in Revit. A satisfactory
representation enables at continuous workflow without the need for remodelling the entire
structure.

61
5. Analysis of S-BIM tools – 3D steel structure

The procedure leading to the results obtained in Revit, after import from Tekla Structures by
use of the different file formats, are described in Appendix G.2. The results are described in the
following:

DWG
• Import to Revit via a DWG file (Tekla → RVT)
The three-dimensional steel structure from the DWG file appears as one object in Re-
vit and each of the elements are only represented by lines. This is a rather inadequate
representation of the structure since the elements should be geometric objects with a cor-
responding analytical model.
IFC
• Import to Revit via an IFC file (Tekla → RVT)
The three-dimensional steel structure from the IFC file appears as objects with the correct
geometry in Revit. However there is no analytical model linked to the IFC objects and
it is not possible to convert the objects to Revit objects with analytical lines. I.e. it is not
possible to define the analytical model based on the IFC file in Revit.
CIS/2
• Import to Revit via a CIS/2 file (Tekla → RVT)
Using the CIS/2 file gives both the analytical and the physical representation of the three-
dimensional steel structure in Revit. However only 132 of 324 elements are imported in
Revit. This makes the model rather incomplete. Mainly the SHS profiles are missing.

The exchange of data from the BIM (model) to the S-BIM software is a part of the information
flow in the structural design phase. The next part of the information flow is the data exchange
between the S-BIM software and the FEM software. To obtain an efficient information flow, and
hereby a continuous structural design process, the exchange should work well in both parts of
the process. This little test has shown that none of the three file formats gives a satisfactory
representation of the three-dimensional steel structure after import to Revit. This can be due to
the file formats or due to Revit. Either way there is a lack in the information flow in this first
part of the process.

In the following the second part of the process i.e. the data exchange between the S-BIM soft-
ware and the FEM software will be investigated in details.

5.3.2 Modelling and handling issues

As described above import of the (*.dwg), the (*.ifc) and the (*.stp) file in Revit did not give
a satisfactory representation of the three-dimensional steel structure in Revit. Therefore the
structure has to be adapted to a great extent or to be modelled from the bottom. However
the steel structure has been available for the authors in the Robot file format (*.rtd) since the
structure was modelled in Robot by Rambøll.

The (*.rtd) file is used in order to get a complete model of the three-dimensional steel structure
which can form the basis of the tests of the S-BIM tools. In Robot the model is saved as a (*.stp)
file which afterwards is imported to Revit.

CIS/2
• Import to Revit via a CIS/2 file (RSA → RVT)
During the import it is chosen to import the analytical model and thereby not the drawing
model. According to Revit, the model contains 421 elements of which 416 elements are
imported. There are one error and ten warnings in connection with the import. The error
is due to one of the missing elements. The missing elements are identified.

62
 5.3 Basis of tests

• Integration with Robot Structural Analysis (RSA → RVT)

To get the missing elements into Revit the import of the (*.stp) file is followed by an inte-
gration with Robot which is possible now that the model exist in Revit. The integration
is only performed for the elements which were not imported at the first time.

After going through the procedure described above, the three-dimensional structure appears
in Revit as shown in Figure 5.5.

Figure 5.5 The three-dimensional steel structure after import to Revit.

In order to perform the tests of the S-BIM tools some adjustments have to be made. Afterwards
loads and boundary conditions are added to the model since these were not included in the
import procedure. The following adjustments are made:

• The columns and the slanted beams which form the main structure should be one con-
tinuous element from the top of the structure to the bottom of the structure. During the
import to Revit the elements were divided into several elements according to the position
of braces. This is corrected manually in Revit.

• The material should be steel type S355. During the import to Revit the steel was changed
from S355 to S345. This is corrected manually in Revit.

• The releases in each end of the elements were changed during the import to Revit. It
seems like several of the releases that were fixed in Robot are free in Revit and opposite.
Thus, all of the releases are checked and corrected manually in Revit.

• The loads are added manually in Revit, since they were not imported from Robot.

• The supports are defined manually in Revit, since they were not imported from Robot.
There are 7 rollers and 22 pinned supports.

After the adjustments are made the three-dimensional structure appears as shown in Figure 5.6.

63
5. Analysis of S-BIM tools – 3D steel structure

Figure 5.6 The three-dimensional steel structure after some adjustments in Revit.

Figure 5.6 shows a satisfactory analytical representation of the three-dimensional steel struc-
ture. However there are some errors in the physical representation. Two examples of this are
shown in Figure 5.7 and 5.8.

Figure 5.7 Three overlapping beams in Re- Figure 5.8 The rotation of the columns is
vit. The analytical line of the elements is po- wrong in Revit. They should have been paral-
sitioned in the top of the elements. lel to the adjacent slanted beams.

Since only the analytical model influences the results of the tests, the physical model is accepted
despite the errors.

5.4 Results of tests

Based on the design criteria described in Section 5.3, the design parameters in Appendix G.1
and the procedure described in Appendix G.3 the applicability of the S-BIM tools are tested by
means of the three-dimensional steel structure. The results are given in Table 5.2 on page 67.

After using the add-on tool and export via the direct link to Robot the steel structure appears as

64
 5.4 Results of tests

shown in Figure 5.9 and 5.10. Since the steel structure is three-dimensional and the add-on tool
only works for plane structures, only the chosen elements are analysed via the add-on tool.

176 106 381

Figure 5.9 Three separate elements from the Revit add-on tool.

Figure 5.10 Statical system and line loads in Robot.

After using the direct link to StaadPro the steel structure appears as shown in Figure 5.11 in 3D
rendering before any corrections are made. The statical system and line loads appear as shown
in Figure 5.12 after correction of boundary conditions, releases and loads.

65
5. Analysis of S-BIM tools – 3D steel structure

Figure 5.11 The IPE and UNP profiles in StaadPro.

Figure 5.12 Statical system and line loads in StaadPro.

As described previously the models in Robot and StaadPro are based on the analytical model
in Revit and there might be some difference between the physical model here and in Revit.

66
 5.4 Results of tests

RVT RVT RVT RVT RVT RVT

add-on ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑
RSA RSA SPro SPro
1. Section properties
Section class ÷ ÷ 32 1 3 1

Height h 3 ÷ 3 3 3 3
Width b 3 ÷ 3 3 3 3
Web thickness tw 3 ÷ 3 3 3 3
Flange thickness t f 3 ÷ 3 3 3 3
Radius r 3 ÷ ÷ 3 ÷ 3
Area A 3 3 3 3 3 3
Moment of inertia Iy ÷ 33 3 1 3 1

Moment of inertia Iz ÷ ÷ 3 1 3 1

Torsion constant It ÷ ÷ ÷ 1 ÷ 1

Warping constant Iw ÷ ÷ ÷ 1 ÷ 1

Plastic modulus Wpl,y ÷ ÷ ÷ 1 3 1

Plastic modulus Wpl,z ÷ ÷ ÷ 1 3 1

2. Geometry
Length l 3 3 3 ÷ 3 ÷
Effective length le f f ÷ ÷ 34 1 34 1

3. Material properties
Yield stress f y 3 ÷ 3 ÷ ÷5 ÷
Modulus of elasticity E 3 3 3 ÷ 3 ÷
Shear modulus G 3 ÷ 3 ÷ 3 ÷
Density ρ 3 3 3 ÷ 3 ÷
4. Loads
Magnitude g, s 3 ÷6 3 ÷ 37 ÷
Position 3 ÷6 3 ÷ 38 ÷
Combination 3 3 3 ÷ 3 ÷
5. Boundary conditions
Roller 3 39 3 ÷ ÷10 ÷
Pinned 3 39 3 ÷ 3 ÷
Releases 3 ÷ 3 ÷ ÷11 ÷
6. Design data
Moment capacity M pl,R ÷ ÷ 3 1 3 1

Reduced moment capacity M N,R ÷ ÷ 3 1 3 1

Shear capacity Vc,R ÷ ÷ 3 1 3 1

Shear capacity VT,R ÷ ÷ 3 1 3 1

Normal capacity Npl,R ÷ ÷ 3 1 3 1

Normal capacity Ncr ÷ ÷ ÷ 1 ÷ 1

7. Results
Deflection ÷ ÷12 313 1 ÷ 1

Section forces ÷ ÷12 313 1 ÷ 1

EC3 6.2.5 ÷ ÷ 313 1 ÷ 1

EC3 6.2.6 (Z) ÷ ÷ 313 1 ÷ 1

EC3 6.2.6-7 ÷ ÷ 313 1 ÷ 1

EC3 6.3.3 ÷ ÷ 313 1 ÷ 1

Table 5.2 Test results for three-dimensional steel structure. 3 means no problems and ÷ means that it does not
work or that the parameter/feature is not available.

67
5. Analysis of S-BIM tools – 3D steel structure

Notes to Table 5.2:

1) This parameter is not available in Revit.

2) The connections are not transferred correct from Revit. This causes a different statical sys-
tem. Thus the section forces are different from the section forces in the original model. The
changed section forces cause that Robot chooses another section class for the profiles than
in the original model.

3) For the slanted beams and columns the moment of inertia are defined according to the
angle of the beams and columns. For elements that are not parallel to the global coordinate
system the moment of inertia is wrong.

4) The effective length is equal to the length of the elements. This is not necessarily correct but
maintained since it is default in Robot and StaadPro. Furthermore it is not relevant for the
tests.

5) By default set to 235 MPa in StaadPro. Must be defined manually if different from this
value.

6) The add-on tool does not register the loads transferred from adjacent elements. This means
that only the loads added directly to the elements are used.

7) Loads are missing for three elements.

8) For some of the elements the load is positioned outside the element. The error is small and
can be caused by rounding errors. It has no influence on the results.

9) The add-on tool registers all node points along the elements, where other elements intersect.
Pinned supports are automatically added by the add-on tool to these intersection nodes.
These must be manually deleted. The original supports are handled correct.

10) The degrees of freedom should be ffxfff in Revit coordinates corresponding to fxffff in Staad-
Pro coordinates but the degrees of freedom are ffxfff in StaadPro coordinates.

11) All releases are wrong due to the different orientation of the coordinate system in Revit and
StaadPro.

12) The results are wrong since not all of the loads are taken into account cf. note 6.

13) The results are calculated but they are not correct according to the errors in the model cf.
note 2.

As shown in Figure 5.11 only IPE and UNP profiles are exchanged to StaadPro. I.e. SHS profiles
are not transferred, and must be redefined manually, which is easily done. In StaadPro there
is another error, namely that infinite deformations occur in a few elements even though the
boundary conditions and releases are redefined as described in Appendix G.3. The reason for
this is unknown.

The results from Robot and StaadPro after import from Revit are not consistent, neither with
each other, nor with the results from the original Robot model. Since the releases seem to be
wrong, they are all removed and the results are compared again. Still the three models are not
consistent. This can be due to the following:

68
 5.5 Evaluation of tests

• The rotation of the profiles is not correct in StaadPro.

• For somewhat reason the connections are not transferred correct from Revit to Robot in
the sense that some extra nodes are added in some of the connections. This causes a
different statical system.

• The cross sections are not defined in the same manner in Robot and StaadPro. This was
not previously an issue.

The influence of the occurred errors has not been investigated further.

It should be noticed that the code check in Robot is made in a common point for each element,
where StaadPro makes the code check in a critical section for each design criterion. Further
StaadPro checks more design criteria than Robot. However this has nothing to do with the
linking between Revit and the two applications. Therefore it does not appear from Table 5.2.

5.5 Evaluation of tests

Based on the results presented in Table 5.2 an evaluation of the applicability of the S-BIM tools
in relation to the steel structure is made.

Revit add-on tool (RVT add-on)

IIIII
The Revit add-on tool gets no stars because it is not possible to compute neither the deflection
nor the section forces correct. This is mainly due to the fact that the reactions from the adjacent
elements are not added as loads to the element in question. Furthermore it is not possible to
assess the design criteria.

Direct link from Revit to Robot and backwards (RVT ↔ RSA)

HHIII
In this test the direct link gets two stars because it is possible to exchange almost all relevant
data from Revit to Robot. However there is something wrong with the node points or connec-
tions. This means that the statical system for the entire structure is different from the original
model. Only the cross section can be updated correct backwards from Robot to Revit.

Direct link from Revit to StaadPro and backwards (RVT ↔ SPro)

HHIII
The link gets two stars since it is useful in relation to transfer geometry, material properties
and loads from Revit to StaadPro. Different orientation of the coordinate system (both global
and local) in Revit and StaadPro causes boundary conditions and releases to be reversed. Some
cross sections must be defined manually when exchanging from Revit to StaadPro. If this is
done, StaadPro checks almost the same design criteria as Robot. Only some of the section
properties are updated backwards from StaadPro to Revit.

69
5. Analysis of S-BIM tools – 3D steel structure

5.6 Subconclusion
In this chapter a three-dimensional steel structure from the House of Music in Aalborg has
formed the basis of the evaluation of the applicabilities of the tested S-BIM tools.

The structure was chosen to see if the S-BIM tools can handle a structure which is more ad-
vanced than the structures in Chapter 3 and 4. The structure is more advanced in the sense that
it consists of several elements, that the elements are joint together in three dimensions and that
the overall form of the structure does not follow any traditional geometric shape.

The three-dimensional steel structure was originally modelled by Rambøll in Tekla. In stead
of modelling the structure from the bottom in Revit it has been imported via the DWG, IFC
and CIS/2 file formats. However none of the models gave a satisfactory representation of the
three-dimensional steel structure in Revit.

As an alternative the three-dimensional steel structure was imported to Revit via CIS/2 from
Robot to obtain a complete model. Since loads and boundary conditions were not transferred
with the CIS/2 file format, these have to be modelled manually in Revit. Also some corrections
have to be made manually in Revit. In that connection it should be noticed that Revit is not
suitable for modelling elements which are not horizontal or elements which are not parallel to
the global axes.

Revit add-on tool (RVT add-on)

The Revit add-on tool is not suitable for three-dimensional structures since loads from adjacent
elements are not taken into account when analysing a single element. However this should be
improved in the next release of Revit, Autodesk Revit Structure 2011, which have an add-on for
load take-down.

Direct link from Revit to Robot and backwards (RVT ↔ RSA)

This direct link makes it possible to evaluate the three-dimensional steel structure according to
Eurocode 3. However the modelling problems in Revit influence the statical system in Robot.
A common node where several elements are joined in Revit are split up into several nodes
when exported to Robot. Therefore special attention has to be paid to the connections of the
steel structure. It is only possible to update the cross section from Robot to Revit.

Direct link from Revit to StaadPro and backwards (RVT ↔ SPro)

This direct link is useful in relation to geometry, material properties and loads. However the
SI Xchange link does not currently support custom steel sizes. Thus it has not been possible to
exchange all elements of the 3D steel structure. As described the orientation of the coordinate
system causes boundary conditions and releases to be reversed1 . Despite of the errors obtained
the link is considered almost as good as the link to Robot, since the errors are easily corrected
when they are known.

It is difficult to determine which of the direct links is best in these tests, since it is not clear what
causes the errors in the models. Further neither of the results is consistent with the results of
the original model nor with each other.

Based on all the tests in the previously chapters it is still the direct link between Revit and
Robot which seems to be best. However the tests performed with the three-dimensional steel
structure show that none of the tested S-BIM tools are currently capable of handling structures
with a certain degree of complexity.

1 This
issue should have been resolved in the current version (v1.0.5.2010) according to the ReadMe file: In some
cases, end releases of members were reversed in STAAD. This has been resolved [Structural Integrators, 2009].

70
 Chapter 6
Discussion

In this chapter the contents presented in the previous chapters are discussed. BIM
as a vision and the applicabilities of current S-BIM tools are discussed. Further an
evaluation of which technology is most preferable for the future is given.

6.1 BIM as a vision

In ”BIM as a vision” proposed by Coenders [2009], the BIM (model) forms the basis for digital,
virtual and computational models. As described in Chapter 2 the BIM (model) includes a
lot of information e.g. input for calculations, basis for drawings, cost estimates, visualisation
and time schedules. Some of the information are tree-dimensional models. Other parts of the
information are text and diagrams. I.e. the BIM (model) consists of much more than just three-
dimensional models. An example of a BIM (model) with different sub-models is shown in
Figure 6.1.

Architectural Architectural programming

model model
Structural
model Landscape architect
model
Statical
model Time and cost
Building
Plumbing model
Information
model
Model
Mechanical Facility management
model model

Energy Electrical
model model

Figure 6.1 The BIM (model) containing several sub-models.

The information included in the BIM (model) is produced continually by the different parti-
cipants in the building process. Thus the BIM (model) is relevant through the entire process,
starting with the program phase and ending with demolition after the operation phase.

71
6. Discussion

This study has focused on the structural engineering part in the detail design phase of the
building process. Thus the structural model and the statical model highlighted in Figure 6.1
have been in focus.

In theory BIM enables a continuous workflow where the needed information is constantly
available for all the participants. This eliminates the need to recreate data models. For in-
stance the architectural model can be based on the model by the landscape architect. Further
e.g. the energy model, the electrical model and the structural model can be based on the ar-
chitectural model. Thus the data model created by the architect can form the basis for the
structural engineering model – the S-BIM (model).

In order to obtain a continuous workflow in the structural design phase the architectural com-
ponents must be converted to structural elements. Following boundary conditions, structural
material properties, loads and load combinations are added in the S-BIM software application.
The S-BIM (model) now includes all the needed information in order to perform a structural
analysis and asses the criteria in the Eurocodes via a FEM application. This continuous work-
flow is shown in Figure 6.2.

Statical system
Structural elements
Strength parameters
Boundary conditions
Loads
Building Load combinations
Information
Model

S-BIM Add-on FEM Results

Figure 6.2 Continuous workflow from the BIM (model) to the results of calculations in the structural design
phase.

Hence, from the beginning of this project, the vision for the structural design phase was a
process where the need for remodelling is reduced to a minimum. The expectations to the
results of the performed tests have been based on this vision.

72
 6.2 Applicabilities of current S-BIM tools

6.2 Applicabilities of current S-BIM tools

Based on the vision for the structural design phase, the Revit add-on tool has been tested. Fur-
thermore, the data exchange between the S-BIM software Revit and the FEM software Robot
and StaadPro have been tested. To give an overview, the evaluations from the previous chap-
ters are presented in Table 6.1.

IFC
RVT add-on RVT ↔ RSA RVT ↔ SPro RVT → RSA
Simple steel beam HIIII HHHHI HHHHI IIIII
Simple timber column IIIII HHHII HHIII IIIII
Simple concrete beam HIIII HIIII HIIII IIIII
Timber frame structure HIIII HHHII HHIII -
3D steel structure IIIII HHIII HHIII -

Table 6.1 Overview of the results of the performed tests.

In the following, the contents of Table 6.1 will be discussed.

6.2.1 Add-on tool for S-BIM software

In general, the Revit add-on tool Revit Extensions, Simulation - Static Analysis of Frames is capable
of calculating section forces and deflection. For somewhat reason it has not been possible to
get correct results in connection with the timber column. This is rather strange, since the other
simple structures, and the timber frame structure did not cause this issue.

In general, no assessment of the design criteria, given in the Eurocodes, is possible in the em-
ployed Revit add-on tool. Thus the Revit add-on tool did not live up to the initial vision, but
maybe this was never the intention. However, the Revit add-on tool can be rather useful for
feasibility studies if a ’load-takedown’ feature is introduced. Otherwise it is only useful for
very simple structures.

6.2.2 Direct link

The direct links from Revit to Robot and StaadPro, respectively give the best results of data
exchange between the applications. However none of the links work as fully developed two-
way links.

The link between Revit and Robot Integration with Robot Structural Analysis and the link between
Revit and StaadPro SI Xchange are almost equally capable of handling steel structures. For
the simple beam they both work well from Revit to Robot and StaadPro respectively, but it is
only possible to update section properties backwards. For the three-dimensional steel structure
neither the Integration with Robot Structural Analysis link nor the SI Xchange link work without
problems.

The two links are also equal in connection with the general procedure of the concrete structures
since none of them can handle reinforcement. However an alternative link between Revit and
Robot Reinforcement Design enables data exchange between the two applications. A similar link
is not available between Revit and StaadPro.

In connection with timber structures the link Integration with Robot Structural Analysis is better
than the SI Xchange link. This applies to both export of information from Revit and import of
information to Revit. However, the SI Xchange link is only intended for steel and concrete, cf.

73
6. Discussion

Appendix B.1, which explains the limited applicability of handling timber structures.

Recently, Jardim-Goncalves and Grilo [2010] stated that:

Software companies are now developing suites of modeling and construction-related soft-
ware tools that are interoperable, but they tend only to address interoperability among them-
selves and not in relation to other vendors’ applications.
[Jardim-Goncalves and Grilo, 2010, p. 387]

Thus it was expected that the interoperability between Revit and Robot would be superior to
the interoperability between Revit and StaadPro. However, this was in general not the case. In
principle, the only difference between the two links is that StaadPro uses a different coordinate
system than Revit and Robot. This issue is not handled very well by the SI Xchange link, but is
quite easily corrected in StaadPro.

In connection with the handling of structures in steel, timber and reinforced concrete it should
also be noticed that steel is the simplest material to model since it is isotropic. Also it should be
noticed that Robot and StaadPro originally are developed for steel structures. This might also
be the case for the links to the applications. Therefore it is not surprising that the best results
are obtained with the simple steel structure. However the tests show that none of the tested
S-BIM tools are currently capable of handling structures with a certain degree of complexity.

Even though the results of the data exchange, to some extend, are in accordance with the ex-
pectations they do not live up to the vision for data exchange in the structural design phase.
I.e. the direct links do not enable a continuous workflow, from the S-BIM (model) to the results
of calculations, where remodelling is unnecessary.

A disadvantage of the direct links is the need for many different links, since there are several
different S-BIM software applications and several different FEM software applications from
different software vendors, which all needs to be mutual compatible.

6.2.3 Indirect link

The indirect linking in this project has been from Revit to Robot via the IFC file format. The
data exchange via IFC was rather incomplete since only information about geometry and to
some extent section properties were transferred.

The IFC Coordination View is not suitable for data exchange between S-BIM and FEM software
applications. This was never the intention, since the IFC Structural Analysis View is available
for this job. However Revit and Robot only support the IFC Coordination View. Therefore the
results of the data exchange are in accordance with the expectations.

In the assessment of IFC it should be noticed that structural engineering was first integrated in
IFC2x2 cf. Section 2.2. Therefore the IFC file format might not be fully developed in accordance
with e.g. the Structural Analysis View and some of the possibilities might be further developed
in future releases. This might also be the reason for why the IFC Structural Analysis View is
not yet supported in the current version of Revit Structure (2010). Otherwise this would be an
obvious choice.

The limitations in the applied applications make it difficult to evaluate the applicability of IFC
with regards to the data exchange in the structural design phase.

74
 6.2 Applicabilities of current S-BIM tools

However there exist other software applications in which the IFC Structural Analysis View
is implemented. An example of this is Tekla Structures. In Hejnfelt and Øksengaard [2007]
export of information via a structural IFC file from Tekla Structures was tested. The result was
not successful. According to Ville Rousu, Tekla Corporation, introducing any new standard
takes time [Hejnfelt and Øksengaard, 2007]:

The Coordination View of IFC has been there for five years and is finally breaking through.
Therefore he (Editor’s note: Ville Rousu) thinks it will still take some time before the struc-
tural view of IFC will work properly.
[Hejnfelt and Øksengaard, 2007, p. 41]

Even though the result obtained by use of IFC is incomplete, this method might be the best if the
software applications support the relevant views of the format. This is due to the independence
of the file format. Hejnfelt and Øksengaard [2007] asked Kjeld Svidt, Aalborg University, why
IFC is better than the direct links:

Say there are 10 different CAD applications and 50 different applications to link to. All
the combinations have to be considered and using only direct links there will simply be too
many combinations. With a standard format like IFC, the applications only have to be able
to read and write to one single format.
[Hejnfelt and Øksengaard, 2007, p. 41]

The presented comments from Hejnfelt and Øksengaard [2007] are in accordance with the as-
sessment of IFC in this study.

Another advantage of IFC is the possibility for ’clash’ control. As previously described, the BIM
(model) consists of a number of sub-models produced by different participants in the building
process. The sub-models shown in Figure 6.1 can be created in a lot of different software ap-
plications. To reduce design errors, it can be very useful if all the models are saved as IFC files
which can be imported in e.g. Solibri Model Checker [Solibri, 2010].

This was for instance experienced during The Digital Days1 (in Danish: De Digitale Dage) which
the authors attended in April, 2010. Here architects, engineers within different disciplines,
draughtsmen, and craftsmen worked on a building design for three days. During this pro-
cess, clashes between the plumbing model and the structural model among other things were
detected by means of Solibri Model Checker.

6.2.4 New software versions

The above-mentioned assessment of the applicability of the S-BIM tools are based on the soft-
ware applications presented in Section 2.5. For some of the applications newer versions are on
their way or already released. For instance Autodesk Revit Structure 2011 and Autodesk Robot
Structural Analysis Professional 2011 both have been released this spring whereas IFC 2x4 will
be released later this year. Also the SI Xchange link is being updated cf. Appendix B.1.

Some of the issues observed during this study might be solved in these new releases. In spite
of this, further development is necessary for all of the S-BIM tools.
1 The
Digital Days is a cooperation between four educational institutions in North Jutland within construction.
The aim of the concept is to develop and disseminate knowledge about Digital Construction [De Digitale Dage,
2010].

75
6. Discussion

6.3 Which technology is most preferable for the future?

Regarding the main focus of this study it was found that the direct links from the S-BIM soft-
ware to FEM applications – compared to the add-on tool in Revit and the indirect link – are the
most optimal way to asses the design criteria in the Eurocodes at the moment.

This is mainly due to the fact that the add-on tool does not enable design by Eurocodes, and the
fact that neither of the tested software applications supports the IFC Structural Analysis View.

But is the direct links the way to go in the future?

The authors would not recommend this solution, because it would demand many different
links, since there are several different S-BIM software applications and several different FEM
software applications from different software vendors, which all needs to be mutual compati-
ble.

The Revit add-on tool is, at the moment, only useful for a quick feasibility study, if a ’load
takedown’ feature is available. If assessment of the design criteria from Eurocodes should be
possible, in fact several FEM applications need to be implemented in the S-BIM applications.
This would result in huge and complex software applications where the users would be depen-
dant of a single software vendor.

A more feasible solution would be to make the different software applications compatible with
a single common neutral file format, like the IFC Structural Analysis View. This enables the use
of several different software applications from different software vendors.

6.4 Which process is most preferable for the future?

The initial vision of BIM presented in Section 6.1 has the continuous workflow in focus where
the architectural model can be converted to a structural model ready for structural analysis.
This has only briefly been treated in this study in Chapter 5. Here it was found that the tested
methods did not enable a continuous workflow from the model original made in Tekla to the
S-BIM (model) in Revit. In fact remodelling the entire structure in Revit was necessary.

But is the continuous workflow the most preferable for the future?

In a traditional structural design phase the participants work on separate models. For instance
the architect is far in his or hers work before the information are passed on to other partici-
pants. When the structural engineer has received enough information from the architect, he
or she creates a new model. The calculations are based on this model. Later, when enough
information is available for the draughtsman, he or she creates yet another model. This model
is not linked to the engineering model, but sets of in it. The model, created by the draughts-
man, forms the basis of drawings. I.e. the architect, the engineer and the draughtsman work
on separate models staggered in time. The current workflow was presented in Section 1.1, and
is shown in Figure 6.3.

76
 6.4 Which process is most preferable for the future?

Workload a n
t e ct e er h tsm
i g
ch gin au
Ar En Dr

Time

Figure 6.3 Traditional workflow, where the workloads are staggered in time.

As described previously, a workflow like the one shown in Figure 6.3 might not be the most
effective. Therefore a more continuous workflow, as shown in Figure 6.2, was suggested. Cf.
Section 2.1.1, this was also suggested by two of the engineers referred to in Hejnfelt and Øk-
sengaard [2007]:

In principle it would be ingenious if the engineer could get data directly from the architect
and send it directly to the contractor and so on... Exchange of data should be as automated
as possible without loss of quality.
[Hejnfelt and Øksengaard, 2007, Appx A]

However, a continuous workflow demands a lot of information in the beginning of the process.
Further, a continuous workflow demands that the links between the BIM (model) and the S-
BIM (model) as well as between the S-BIM (model) and the calculation software work properly,
both forwards and backwards.

It is not likely, that all the information needed for structural analysis is available in the begin-
ning of the process. Nor is the information within the other disciplines of engineering available.
Further, an integrated process, like the one suggested, can cause some problems in connection
to which participants are responsible for possible design errors.

Therefore separate models might still be the most preferable workflow in the future. But in-
stead of starting from ground zero both the structural engineer and the draughtsman can set of
in the BIM (model) containing the architect model among other things. This could be done by
use of a common neutral file format which also can be used for coordination and ’clash’ control
during the design process.

By setting of in the BIM (model), the time needed in the design phase, and the workload of the
engineer and draughtsman are reduced. Both benefits are illustrated in Figure 6.4.

Workload n
ct r t s ma
i te e e gh
ch ngin rau
Ar E D

Time

Figure 6.4 Workflow employing BIM.

With a workflow like the one shown in Figure 6.4 the workload is staggered from right to
the left. This is beneficial since possible changes of design can be implemented earlier in the

77
6. Discussion

building process, which is beneficial since the cost of changes in the design increases during
the building process.

To secure the information flow during the building process as shown in Figure 1.3, it should
be possible to ’map’ the architectural elements to structural elements. This feature is in fact
already available, as a copy/monitor function, when importing a Revit Architecture model in
Revit Structure [Weir et al., 2009]. This has not been tested in this study, but the feature was
briefly introduced during The Digital Days.

By using S-BIM, as suggested above, the time needed in the structural design phase, and the
workload of the engineer and draughtsman are reduced. There might be similar benefits of
using BIM in the other disciplines of engineering. Further, working of different models keep
the division of responsibilities clear while the possibility of e.g. ’clash’ control is maintained.

78
 Chapter 7
Conclusion
In the following a brief summary of the previous chapters is given.

Chapter 1
The first chapter gives an introduction to the building process and some of the benefits of
employing BIM.

Chapter 2
The second chapter introduces the relevant BIM aspects, e.g. IFC and CIS/2. Furthermore
Structural Building Information Modelling (S-BIM) and the employed S-BIM tools are intro-
duced. The S-BIM tools tested are: Revit add-on tool, direct links between Revit and Robot or
StaadPro, and indirect linking between Revit and Robot via IFC. Finally the scope of the project
and the general methods employed are presented.

Chapter 3
The third chapter gives an initial evaluation of the S-BIM tools which are tested through three
rather simple structures with different section properties, geometry, material properties and so
on. Based on the tests performed in this chapter it is concluded that the direct link Integration
with Robot Structural Analysis is most preferable. It is found that the Revit add-on tool is only ca-
pable of calculating section forces and deflections. The indirect IFC-link is found rather useless
since Revit and Robot does not support IFC Structural Analysis View but only the IFC Coordi-
nation View. Thus IFC is not tested further. Furthermore it is found that neither of the S-BIM
tools were able to handle reinforced concrete, since it is not possible to transfer reinforcement
from Revit to any of the calculation software tested.

Chapter 4
The fourth chapter presents the applicability of the S-BIM tools when analysing a timber frame
structure, which is more advanced than the simple structures in Chapter 3. The structure is
more advanced in the sense that several elements are joint together, that neither of the elements
are vertical nor horizontal, and several of the beams are tapered with varying section height.
Neither of the S-BIM tools supports tapered beams. Thus the tapered beams where modelled
as pieces of beams with constant rectangular cross section. The Revit add-on tool is still only
capable of calculating section forces and deflection. It is found that the link Integration with
Robot Structural Analysis is better than the SI Xchange link.

Chapter 5
The fifth chapter includes the step before the data exchange between the S-BIM software and
the FEM software. I.e. the data transfer to the S-BIM software. The structure in question has
been modelled by Rambøll in Tekla Structures. Use has been made of the file formats DWG,
IFC and CIS/2. None of the three file formats gives a satisfactory representation of the three-
dimensional steel structure after import to Revit. As an alternative the structure was imported
to Revit via CIS/2 from Robot to obtain a complete model.

The three-dimensional steel structure is more advanced than the previous structures, in the
sense that it consists of several elements, that the elements are joint together in three dimen-

79
7. Conclusion

sions and that the overall form of the structure does not follow any traditional geometric shape.

It is found that the Revit add-on tool is not suitable for three-dimensional structures since
loads from adjacent elements are not taken into account when analysing a single element. In
general the S-BIM tools did not provide consistent results. Neither the Integration with Robot
Structural Analysis link nor the SI Xchange link work without problems. For somewhat reason
the connections are not transferred correct from Revit to Robot in the sense that some extra
nodes are added in some of the connections. Different orientation of the coordinate system
in Revit and StaadPro causes boundary conditions and releases to be reversed. Both cause a
different statical system than intended.

Chapter 6
The sixth chapter discusses the contents presented in the previous chapters. BIM as a vision
and the applicabilities of current S-BIM tools are discussed. Further an evaluation of which
technology is most preferable for the future is given.

After summing up the contents and sub conclusions of the previous chapters, the questions
from the thesis statement can be answered. The thesis statement was:

“What are the strengths and limitations in the current (a) add-on BIM tools, (b) direct links between
S-BIM and FEM applications, and (c) IFC exchange file format, and which technology is most preferable
for the future?”

Re (a) The tested Revit add-on tool can be rather useful for calculating section forces and de-
flection in feasibility studies if a ’load-takedown’ feature is introduced. But to asses the
criteria in Eurocodes a separate application is needed.
At current, the Revit add-on tool can not – and should not – replace the traditional FEM
software applications since the applicability of this tool is rather limited.
Re (b) The direct links between Revit and Robot or StaadPro are useful for steel structures of
limited complexity. However, none of the direct links can handle reinforced concrete
satisfactorily. Regarding timber structures, the direct link Integration with Robot Struc-
tural Analysis is better than the direct link SI Xchange since this link does not support
timber materials. Due to this limitation, the direct link between Revit and Robot is most
preferable at present.
Re (c) The IFC Coordination View was not found suitable for data exchange between S-BIM
and FEM software applications. However, this was never the intention since the IFC
Structural Analysis View was developed for this.
None of the tested software applications support IFC Structural Analysis View which
makes them unsuitable for data exchange via the IFC file format.

According to the above-mentioned conclusions it is found that the current software applica-
tions are too simplistic. This is in agreement with the statement by Coenders [2009] regarding
“BIM as a software technology”.

Even though it is found that the direct links work best, it is questioned whether this is the way
to go in the future. The authors instead recommend that the structural software applications
integrate the IFC Structural Analysis View. This enables the use of several different software
applications from different software vendors. In this way, the structural engineer is free to
choose specific FEM software applications for specific purposes, and is less dependant of a
single software application.

80
It should be noticed that the S-BIM tools tested in this study only represent a small part of the S-
BIM tools available. For instance there exist a number of extensions in Revit. Furthermore there
exist several additional S-BIM software applications and FEM software applications. These
tools might be better than the S-BIM tools tested in this study. Therefore, it would be interesting
to test more S-BIM tools as well as the new versions of the already tested S-BIM tools. This
could be a subject for further investigation.

Even though it has been found that S-BIM, at the moment, might not be fully developed and
that the continuous workflow might not be the most preferable for the future, BIM still is an
important part of the future building process. This is due to the fact that the structural part of
BIM still is a relatively new upcoming technology which needs further development, whereas
other parts of BIM already might be integrated.

81
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gether with IFC, 2005. URL http://www.iaichina.org/NewsEvents/Madrid_IndustryDay05/
IFC%20overview%20presentation%20actual.pdf. 2010.06.08.
T. Liebich. IFC 2x Edition 3 Model Implementation Guide. buildingSMART International Model
Support Group, 2009.

H. C. J. Linderoth. Understanding adoption and use of BIM as the creation of actor networks.
Automation in Construction, 19(1):66 – 72, 2010.

NIST. CIS/2 and IFC - Product Data Standards for Structural Steel, 2010. URL http://cic.nist.
gov/vrml/cis2.html. 2010.06.08.
P. Osterrieder and S. Richter. IAI Project ST-5 – Structural Timber Model – Part III: Implementation
Guide. IAI, 2005.

T. Pilgaard and G. Jonathan. Integreret brug af BIM- og EDB værktøjer i projekteringsfasen. Master’s
thesis, DTU - Technical University of Denmark, February 2010.

Rambøll Danmark A/S. Musikkens Hus. URL http://www.ramboll.dk/projects/

viewproject.aspx?projectid=03DEC732-376F-4CEB-93C6-481BA499E04E. 2010.06.08.
R. Rasmussen and V. H. Rasmussen. NordSoft ApS, 2010. URL http://www.nordsoft.net.
2010.06.08.

Revit Metric Tutorials. Revit Structure 2010 - Metric Tutorials, 2009.

C. Robinson. Structural BIM: discussion, case studies and latest developments. The Structural
Design of Tall and Special Buildings, 16(4):519 – 533, 2007.

Solibri. Solibri Model Checker, 2010. URL http://www.solibri.com/solibri-model-checker.

html. 2010.06.08.
Structural Integrators. ReadMe - SI Xchange for Revit v1.0.5.2010, 2009.

Structural Integrators. SI Xchange for Revit Structure, 2010. URL http://

structuralintegrators.com/products/si_xchange.php. 2010.06.08.
T. Liebich. Highlights of IFC2x4 (unveiling IFC2x4 presentation), 2010. URL http://www.iai-
tech.org/downloads/accompanying-documents/presentations/Unveiling%20IFC2x4.
pdf. 2010.06.08.
Tekla. Tekla Structures 14.0, 2010. URL http://www.tekla.com/international/products/
tekla-structures. 2010.06.08.
T. S. Weir, J. D. Richardson, and D. J. Harrington. Mastering Revit Structure 2010. Sybex, 2009.
ISBN 978-0-470-52141-0.

85
Appendices
 Appendix A
Contents of the enclosed CD-ROM
The enclosed CD-ROM contains the following folders:

3-SimpleStructureSteel
This folder contains the following files:
SteelBeam-RVT-basis.rvt
SteelBeam-RVT-IFC.ifc
SteelBeam-RVT-RSA.rtd
SteelBeam-RVT-SPro.std

3-SimpleStructureTimber
This folder contains the following files:
TimberColumn-RVT-basis.rvt
TimberColumn-RVT-IFC.ifc
TimberColumn-RVT-RSA.rtd
TimberColumn-RVT-SPro.std

3-SimpleStructureConcrete
This folder contains the following files:
ReinforcedConcreteBeam-RVT-basis.rvt
ReinforcedConcreteBeam-RVT-IFC.ifc
ReinforcedConcreteBeam-RVT-RSA.rtd
ReinforcedConcreteBeam-RVT-SPro.std

3-SimpleStructureConcreteAlternatives
This folder contains the following files:
ConcreteBeam-RVT-basis-for-RDesign.rvt
ConcreteBeam-SPro.std
ConcreteBeam-RDesign.rtd
ConcreteBeam-Intgr-w-RSA.rtd

4-TimberFrameStructure
This folder contains the following files:
TimberFrame-Piecewise-RVT-basis.rvt
TimberFrame-Piecewise-RVT-RSA.rtd
TimberFrame-Piecewise-RVT-SPro.std
TimberFrame-Tapered-RVT-basis.rvt

A-1
A. Contents of the enclosed CD-ROM

5-ImportFilesRevit
This folder contains the following files:
HoM-CIS2-analytical.stp
HoM-CIS2-drawing.stp
HoM-DWG.dwg
HoM-IFC.ifc

5-Three-dimensionalSteelStructure
This folder contains the following files:
HoM-RVT-basis.rvt
HoM-RVT-RSA.rtd
HoM-RVT-SPro.std

Thesis
This folder contains the following pdf file:
Structural-modelling-and-analysis-using-BIM-tools.pdf

A-2
 Appendix B
E-mail correspondence with Elizabeth Shulok
from Structural Integrators

In this Appendix the main essence of the correspondence with Elizabeth Shulok
from Structural Integrators regarding SI Xchange for Revit and STAAD is presented.

B.1 Questions and answers

Q: It is not possible to update our model in Revit from StaadPro. It seems like it is the wrong
software we have installed?

A: There might be a misunderstanding how SI Xchange works. Its current capabilities allow
you to export a model from Revit to StaadPro and then update Revit with some of the
changes made in StaadPro. With the current version, you cannot import a new model
from StaadPro to Revit. That will be in a future release.

Q: We have tried setting the default up-coordinate in StaadPro to both Y and Z. In both cases
the beam is oriented as shown earlier (with Y up and Z lengthwise) and the roller BC is
defined as ffxfff.

A: Regarding the coordinate system, SI Xchange assumes you are using the default Y up
system since there wasn’t an easy way to check this during export. So the coordinates
are translated accordingly. Please try the export with the Y up coordinate system selected
and let me know if it is still incorrect. The BC change are not currently sent back to Revit.
Only the size changes and column rotations are being updated in Revit. The next release
will update significantly more data. Thank you for the feedback on the BCs. I will need
to investigate that. You shouldn’t need to adjust them in StaadPro.

Q: It is not possible to change the material in StaadPro and then update back to Revit. Will
this be available in a future release?

A: In the current version, only sizes of the same material will be updated in Revit. That will
not be the case in the next release that we are working on now. However, the new version
will only work with Revit Structure 2011.

Q: We started using SI Xchange for a timber structure and found that the shape maps only
support steel and concrete sections. Thus the sections were not transferred to StaadPro,
and when added in StaadPro, not transferred back to Revit either. Is it possible to add
shape maps for timber so this will be possible?

B-1
B. E-mail correspondence with Elizabeth Shulok from Structural Integrators

A: SI Xchange currently only supports steel and concrete materials. We have not had any
requests to support wood structures so it has not been a priority for us.

B-2
 Appendix C
Simply supported steel beam

The design parameters and procedure described in this appendix form the basis of
the tests performed in Section 3.3.

C.1 Design parameters

In this appendix the relevant parameters in connection with the design criteria of the 6 m sim-
ply supported steel beam are presented. The beam is an IPE200-profile of steel type S235.

The statical system of the steel beam and the cross section are shown in Figure C.1 whereas
the parameters related to the cross section are shown in Table C.1. The parameters at the top
of the table must be defined whereas the parameters at the bottom can be calculated from the
parameters at the top.
tf

z z
q
y
h

tw
x
r

l
b

Figure C.1 Left: Simply supported beam. Right: Cross section of an IPE profile.

C-1
C. Simply supported steel beam

Section properties
Section class I
Height h 200 mm
Width b 100 mm
Web thickness tw 5.6 mm
Flange thickness tf 8.5 mm
Radius r 12 mm
Area A 2.85 · 103 mm2
Shear area Az 1.40 · 103 mm2
Moment of inertia Iy 19.4 · 106 mm4
Moment of inertia Iz 1.42 · 106 mm4
Torsion constant It 70.2 · 103 mm4
Warping constant Iw 12 · 109 mm6
Elastic modulus Wel,y 194 · 103 mm3
Plastic modulus Wpl,y 220 · 103 mm3
Radius of gyration i 82.57 mm

Table C.1 Parameters in relation to the cross section.

The relevant geometric parameters are shown in Table C.2.

Geometry
Length l 6000 mm
Effective length le f f 6000 mm

Table C.2 Geometry parameters.

The parameters that define the material steel S235 are presented in Table C.3.

Material properties
Yield stress fy 235 MPa
Modulus of elasticity E 205 · 103 MPa
Shear modulus G 78.8 · 103 MPa
Density ρ 76.8195 kN/m3

Table C.3 Material parameters.

As described in Section 3.3 the line load is set to 5 kN/m which also can be seen in Table C.4.

Load
Magnitude q 5 kN/m
Position Element 1 -

Table C.4 Load parameters.

For a simply supported beam the boundary conditions are defined in Table C.5. In the table

C-2
 C.1 Design parameters

f marks a free degree of freedom whereas x marks a fixed degree of freedom. The three first
positions are related to the translations in the three directions (x,y and z) and the three last
positions are related to the rotations about the three directions.

Boundary conditions
Pinned S1 xxx f f f
Roller S2 f xx f f f

Table C.5 Boundary conditions.

To be able to assess the design criteria the applied applications must be able to find the param-
eters given in Table C.6.

Design data
Moment capacity Mc,R 47.0 kNm
Shear capacity Vc,R 172.9 kN
Reduction factor for lateral torsional buckling χ LT 0.45 -
Imperfection factor α LT 0.21 -
Buckling curve a -
Lateral torsional buckling moment capacity Mb,R 18.6 kNm

Table C.6 Parameters in relation to design.

The results of the hand calculations of the IPE 200 profile is shown in Table C.7

Results
Deflection umax 22 mm
Section forces Mmax 23.5 kN
Vmax 15.7 kN
EC3 6.2.5 ME /Mc,R 0.5 -
EC3 6.2.6 (Z) VE /Vc,R 0.09 -
EC3 6.3.2 LTB VE /Vc,R 1.26 -

Table C.7 Results of hand calculations for the steel beam with cross section IPE 200.

To be characterized as useful the S-BIM tools must be able to handle the parameters described
above. The parameters are all used in relation to the evaluation of tests performed for the steel
beam.

C-3
C. Simply supported steel beam

C.2 Procedure of tests

The procedures leading to the results in Table 3.1 are described in the following. The employed
models can be found at the enclosed CD-ROM in the folder 3-SimpleStructureSteel.

Revit add-on tool (RVT add-on)

The results in the add-on tool are obtained very easy.

• Revit Extensions, Simulation - Static Analysis of Frames:

1. Calculations → Results (Only section forces and deflection. I.e. no code check is
available.)

Direct link from Revit to Robot and backwards (RVT ↔ RSA)

To obtain the correct results in Robot some choices and a correction are necessary.

• Revit Extensions, Integration with Robot Structural Analysis (Send model):

1. Choice about model correction in Robot

2. Choice about bar end releases
3. Choice about materials

• Robot:

4. Verification → No errors and no warnings are found

5. Manually define element type as beam
6. Calculation → Two irrelevant warnings → Results (Section forces and deflection.)
7. Code check → Results (Section forces, deflection and code check.)

To update the model in Revit from the analysis in Robot, some choices are needed.

• Robot:

8. Update section properties, geometry, material properties, loads and boundary con-
ditions one at a time
9. New code check

• Revit Extensions, Integration with Robot Structural Analysis (Update model):

10. Choice about scope

11. Nothing happens to the model in Revit except for when changing the section prop-
erties

Direct link from Revit to StaadPro and backwards (RVT ↔ SPro)

To obtain the correct results in StaadPro some choices and a correction are necessary.

• SI Xchange (Export):

1. Choice about shape maps

2. Choice about units

C-4
 C.2 Procedure of tests

• StaadPro:

3. Manually add self weight

4. Choose type of analysis (Analysis/Print: All, Design - Steel: EC3)
→ Results (Section forces, deflection and code check.)

Note: Coordinate system different from Revit and Robot.

To update the model in Revit from the analysis in StaadPro, some choices are needed.

• StaadPro:

5. Update section properties, geometry, material properties, loads and boundary con-
ditions one at a time
6. New code check

• SI Xchange (Import):

7. Nothing happens to the model in Revit except for when changing the section prop-
erties

IFC
Indirect link from Revit to Robot (RVT → RSA)
It has not been possible to obtain results from Robot by use of the IFC exchange file format,
since only some of the geometry was imported.

• Revit:

1. Export to IFC file

• Robot:

2. Open IFC file (Note: Only geometry appears.)

3. Verification
→ Error: Bar without properties
→ Warnings: No supports, no load cases, the element is not assigned to any story

C-5
 Appendix D
Simply supported timber column

The design parameters and procedure described in this appendix form the basis of
the tests performed in Section 3.4.

D.1 Design parameters

The parameters needed to evaluate the design criterion are presented in the following tables.

The statical system of the timber column and the cross section are shown in Figure D.1 whereas
the parameters related to the cross section are shown in Table D.1.

y
h

q
l

Figure D.1 Left: Simply supported column. Right: Cross section.

Section properties
Height h 150 mm
Width b 150 mm
Area A 22.5 · 103 mm2
Moment of inertia Iy 42.2 · 106 mm4
Elastic modulus Wel,y 562.5 · 103 mm3

Table D.1 Parameters in relation to the cross section.

D-1
D. Simply supported timber column

The relevant geometric parameters are shown in Table D.2.

Geometry
Length l 3000 mm

Table D.2 Geometry parameters.

The parameters that define the anisotropic material timber C24 are presented in Table D.3.

Material properties
Characteristic bending strength f m,k 24,0 MPa
Characteristic compressive strength parallel to grain f c,0,k 21 MPa
Characteristic modulus of elasticity Ek 7400 MPa
Density ρ 3.432 kN/m3

Table D.3 Material parameters.

As described in Section 3.4 the point load is 20 kN and the line load is 5 kN/m as shown in
Table D.4.

Loads
Point load - magnitude P 20 kN
Point load - position Element 1 -
Point load - duration Permanent -
Line load - magnitude q 5 kN/m
Line load - position Element 1 -
Line load - duration Instantaneous -

Table D.4 Load parameters.

For the simply supported column the boundary conditions are defined in Table D.5.

Boundary conditions
Pinned S1 xxx f f f
Roller S2 f xx f f f

Table D.5 Boundary conditions.

To be able to assess the design criterion the applied applications must be able to find the pa-
rameters given in Table D.6.

D-2
 D.1 Design parameters

Design data
Allowable bending stress (I-load) f m,d 20.31 MPa
Allowable normal stress (I-load) f c,d 17.77 MPa
Allowable normal stress (P-load) f c,d 9.69 MPa
Modification factor (I-load) k mod 1.1 -
Modification factor (P-load) k mod 0.6 -
Instability factor kc 0.56 -
Service class 1 -

Table D.6 Parameters in relation to design.

The results of the hand calculations of the timber profile is shown in Table D.7

Results
Section forces Mmax 5.3 kNm
Nmax 20 kN
σc σm
EC5 6.3.2 kc · fc + fm 0.58 -

Table D.7 Results of hand calculations for the timber column with cross section 150 × 150 mm.

D-3
D. Simply supported timber column

D.2 Procedure of tests

The procedure leading to the results in Table 3.2 are in principle the same as described in Ap-
pendix C.2. To keep a sense of perspective the exact procedure for the timber column are
described in the following. The employed models can be found at the enclosed CD-ROM in
the folder 3-SimpleStructureTimber.

Revit add-on tool (RVT add-on)

No correct results could be obtained by use of the Revit add-on tool

• Revit Extensions, Simulation - Static Analysis of Frames:

1. Calculations → Results (Only section forces, which are wrong. I.e. no code check is
available and the results are useless.)

Direct link from Revit to Robot and backwards (RVT ↔ RSA)

To obtain the correct results in Robot some choices are necessary.

• Revit Extensions, Integration with Robot Structural Analysis (Send model):

1. Choice about model correction in Robot

2. Choice about bar end releases
3. Choice about materials

• Robot:

4. Verification → No errors and no warnings are found

5. Manually define element type as Timber column
6. Define load duration
7. Calculation → Two irrelevant warnings → Results (Section forces and deflection.)
8. Code check → Results (Section forces, deflection and code check.)

To update the model in Revit from the analysis in Robot, some choices are needed.

• Robot:

9. Update section properties, geometry, material properties, loads and boundary con-
ditions one at a time
10. New code check

• Revit Extensions, Integration with Robot Structural Analysis (Update model):

11. Choice about scope

12. Nothing happens to the model in Revit except for when changing the section prop-
erties

Direct link from Revit to StaadPro and backwards (RVT ↔ SPro)

To obtain the correct results in StaadPro some choices and corrections are necessary.

• SI Xchange (Export):

D-4
 D.2 Procedure of tests

1. Choice about shape maps

2. Choice about units

• StaadPro:

3. Redefine BC’s
4. Redefine cross section
5. Manually add self weight
6. Choose type of analysis (Analysis/Print: All, Design - Timber: EC5 (define load
duration, member type and section class))
→ Results (Section forces, deflection and code check.)

Note: Coordinate system different from Robot.

To update the model in Revit from the analysis in StaadPro, some choices are needed.

• StaadPro:

7. Update section properties, geometry, material properties, loads and boundary con-
ditions one at a time
8. New code check

• SI Xchange (Import):

9. Nothing happens to the model in Revit

IFC
Indirect link from Revit to Robot (RVT → RSA)
It has not been possible to obtain results from Robot by use of the IFC exchange file format,
since only the length and cross section was imported.

• Revit:

1. Export to IFC file

• Robot:

2. Open IFC file (Note: Only geometry and some section properties appears.)
3. Verification
→ Warnings: No supports, no load cases, the element is not assigned to any story

D-5
 Appendix E
Continuous concrete beam

The design parameters and procedure described in this appendix form the basis of
the tests performed in Section 3.5.

E.1 Design parameters

The parameters needed to evaluate the design criteria are presented in the following tables.

The statical system of the concrete beam and the cross section are shown in Figure E.1. The
total length of the beam is 12.6 m and it is supported by one pinned and two roller supports.
The parameters related to the cross section are shown in Table E.1.

Figure E.1 Left: Continuous beam. Right: Cross section.

E-1
E. Continuous concrete beam

Section properties
Height h 500 mm
Width b 300 mm
Moment of inertia Iy 3125 · 106 mm4
Effective height, between supports d 453.3 mm
Effective height, at centre support d 471 mm
Internal moment arm, between supports z 399.9 mm
Internal moment arm, at centre support z 435.4 mm
Diameter of reinforcement  16 mm
Reinforcement bars, top 4 -
Reinforcement bars, bottom 6 -
Diameter of stirrups  6 mm
Spacing of stirrups, x :0–220 mm s 110 mm
Spacing of stirrups, x :220–12380 mm s 330 mm
Spacing of stirrups, x :12380–12600 mm s 110 mm
Position of reinforcement cs1 /cs2 / cs 29/53/47 mm

Table E.1 Parameters in relation to the cross section.

The relevant geometric parameters are shown in Table E.2.

Geometry
Total length l 12600 mm
Effective length le f f 6300 mm

Table E.2 Geometry parameters.

The parameters that define the concrete C25/30 and reinforcing steel S550 are presented in
Table E.3.

Material properties
Yield strength of reinforcement f yk 550 MPa
Modulus of elasticity of reinforcement Es 2 · 106 MPa
Compression strength of concrete f ck 25 MPa
Axial tensile strength of concrete f ctm 2.6 MPa
Modulus of elasticity of concrete E 32000 MPa
Density ρ 23.5 kN/m3
Ultimate compressive strain ε cu3 0.0035 -

Table E.3 Material parameters.

As described in Section 3.5 the line load is set to 50 kN/m which also can be seen in Table E.4.

E-2
 E.1 Design parameters

Load
Magnitude q 50 kN/m
Position Element 1 -

Table E.4 Load parameters.

For a continuous beam the boundary conditions are defined in Table E.5.

Boundary conditions
Pinned S1 xxx f f f
Roller S2 f xx f f f

Table E.5 Boundary conditions.

To be able to assess the design criteria the applied applications must be able to find the param-
eters given in Table E.6.

Design data
Control class 2 -
Environmental class 1 -
Allowance 5 mm
Maximum aggregate size dg 32 mm
Moment capacity, between supports MR 221.1 kNm
Moment capacity, at centre support MR 160.5 kNm
Factor λ λ 0.8 -
Reinforcement degree ωbal 0.483 -
Reinforcement degree ωmin 0.033 -
Actual reinforcement degree, between supports ω 0.24 -
Actual reinforcement degree, at centre support ω 0.15 -
Factor µ µ 0.2 -

Table E.6 Parameters in relation to design.

The results of the hand calculations of the continuous reinforced concrete beam is shown in
Table E.7

Results
Deflection umax 4.6 mm
Section forces Mmax 200.6 kNm
Vmax 189.3 kN
ωmin ≤ ω ≤ ωbal Between supports 0.03 ≤ 0.24 ≤ 0.48 -
At centre support 0.03 ≤ 0.15 ≤ 0.48 -
MR ≥ M Between supports 221.1 ≥ 200.6 kNm
At centre support 160.5 ≥ 130 kNm
σc ≤ νν f cd At centre support 3.6 ≥ 9.9 MPa

Table E.7 Results of hand calculations for the reinforced concrete beam with cross section 300 x 500 mm.

E-3
E. Continuous concrete beam

E.2 Procedure of tests

The procedure leading to the results in Table 3.3 are in principle the same as described in Ap-
pendix C.2 and D.2. To keep a sense of perspective the exact procedure for the continuous
concrete beam are described in the following. The employed models can be found at the en-
closed CD-ROM in the folder 3-SimpleStructureConcrete.

Revit add-on tool (RVT add-on)

The results in the add-on tool are obtained very easy.

• Revit Extensions, Simulation - Static Analysis of Frames:

1. Calculations → Results (Only section forces and deflection.)

Direct link from Revit to Robot (RVT→RSA)

To obtain the correct results in Robot some choices are necessary.

• Revit Extensions, Integration with Robot Structural Analysis (Send model):

1. Choice about model correction in Robot

2. Choice about bar end releases
3. Choice about materials

• Robot:

4. Verification → No errors and no warnings are found

5. Calculation → Two irrelevant warnings →
Results (Only section forces and deflection.)

The performed analysis gives no results related to the design criteria. How reinforcement can
be modelled in Robot can be seen in Section 3.5.3 regarding alternative procedures.

Direct link from Revit to StaadPro (RVT→SPro)

To obtain the correct results in StaadPro some choices and a correction are necessary.

• SI Xchange (Export):

1. Choice about shape maps

2. Choice about units

• StaadPro:

3. Redefine boundary conditions (Wrong because the coordinate system is different

from Revit.)
4. Manually add self weight
5. Choose type of analysis (Analysis/Print: All) →
Results (Only section forces and deflection.)

The performed analysis gives no results related to the design criteria. How reinforcement can
be handled in StaadPro can be seen in Section 3.5.3 regarding alternative procedures.

E-4
 E.3 Procedure of alternatives

IFC
Indirect link from Revit to Robot (RVT → RSA)
It has not been possible to obtain results from Robot by use of the IFC exchange file format,
since only some of the geometry and section properties was imported.

• Revit:

1. Export to IFC file

• Robot:

2. Open IFC file (Note: Only geometry and some section properties appears.)
3. Verification
→ Warnings: No supports, no load cases, the element is not assigned to any story

E.3 Procedure of alternatives

In this appendix alternative possibilities for data exchange of the reinforced concrete beam
are described. The employed models can be found at the enclosed CD-ROM in the folder 3-
SimpleStructureConcreteAlternatives.

Common procedure for all three alternatives

Due to the procedure in Robot, RC Beam Design the supports must be changed.

• Revit:

1. Add columns (500 × 300 mm) instead of boundary conditions

2. Add boundary conditions to columns (Fixed)

Alternative 1: Revit Extensions, Reinforcement Design

This extension makes use of the RC Beam Design module of Robot where the layout of the
necessary amount of reinforcement is found. Furthermore it is possible to update the Revit
model with the reinforcement found in Robot.

• Revit Extensions, Reinforcement Design:

1. Choice about steel type (550 MPa)

• Robot, RC Beam Design

2. Define reinforcement pattern

3. Set calculation options
4. Change load factor of self weight to 1
5. Add line load of 50 kN/m2
6. Calculations → Results (Top: 816, Bottom: 1016)

• Revit Extensions, Reinforcement Design:

7. Import the reinforcement from Robot

E-5
E. Continuous concrete beam

Alternative 2: Revit Extensions, Integration with Robot Structural Analysis

In this alternative use have been made of the same integration with Robot as in Appendix E.2,
but here it is used to utilize the RC Members - required reinf. module in Robot. Updating the
calculated reinforcement back to Revit is not possible.

• Revit Extensions, Integration with Robot Structural Analysis (Send model):

1. Choice about model correction in Robot

2. Choice about bar end releases
3. Choice about materials

• Robot:

4. Manually define element type as RC beam

5. Calculations → two irrelevant warnings
6. Define reinforcement calculations parameters
7. Define calculation points
8. Calculations → Results (Top: 716, Bottom: 316)

Alternative 3: SI Xchange → StaadPro, Design - Concrete: EC2

The following procedure enables StaadPro to calculate the necessary amount of reinforcement
in the concrete beam. Updating the calculated reinforcement back to Revit is not possible.

• SI Xchange (Export):

1. Choice about shape maps

• StaadPro:

2. Manually add self weight

3. Add analysis (All)
4. Define parameters of Design concrete (EC2)
5. Calculations → Results (Top: 816, Bottom: 416)

E-6
 Appendix F
Timber frame structure

The design parameters and procedure described in this appendix form the basis of
the tests performed in Chapter 4.

F.1 Design parameters

The parameters needed to evaluate the design criteria in Section 4.3 are presented in the fol-
lowing tables.

The modelled timber frame structure is shown in Figure F.1 whereas the parameters related to
the cross section are shown in Table F.1 and F.2.

Figure F.1 The element and node numbers for the timber frame structure.

Section properties
Element 1 3 4 5 7 9 10 12
Start height h1 480 480 960 1250 960 580 580 580 mm
End height h2 480 960 1250 960 580 580 580 220 mm
Width b 200 200 200 200 200 200 200 200 mm
Area A 96.0 var var var var 116.0 116.0 var ·103 mm2
Moment of inertia Iy 1843 var var var var 3252 3252 var ·106 mm4
Elastic modulus Wel,y 7680 var var var var 11210 11210 var ·103 mm3

Table F.1 Parameters in relation to the cross section for the beams.

F-1
F. Timber frame structure

Section properties
Element 2 6 8 11
Start height h1 260 200 200 150 mm
End height h2 260 200 200 150 mm
Width b 260 200 200 200 mm
Area A 67.6 40.0 40.0 30.0 ·103 mm2
Moment of inertia Iy 380.8 133.3 133.3 56.25 ·106 mm4
Elastic modulus Wel,y 2929 1333 1333 750 ·103 mm3

Table F.2 Parameters in relation to the cross section for the columns.

The relevant geometric parameters for the beams and columns are shown in Table F.3 and F.4,
respectively.

Geometry
Element 1 3 4 5 7 9 10 12
Length l 3722 1050 8901 8851 2518 504 8563 1398 mm

Table F.3 Geometry parameters for the beams.

Geometry
Element 2 6 8 11
Length l 6339 5237 4424 3811 mm

Table F.4 Geometry parameters for the columns.

The parameters that define the anisotropic material glulam timber Gl36c are presented in Table F.5.

Material properties
Characteristic bending strength f m,k 36.0 MPa
Characteristic tensile strength parallel to grain f t,0,k 22.5 MPa
Characteristic tensile strength perpendicular to grain f t,90,k 0.5 MPa
Characteristic compressive strength parallel to grain f c,0,k 36.0 MPa
Characteristic shear strength f v,k 3.8 MPa
Characteristic modulus of elasticity Ek 14700 MPa
Characteristic value of shear modulus G 7350 MPa
Density ρ 4.22 kN/m3

Table F.5 Material parameters.

As described in Section 4.3 two line loads are acting on the timber frame structure in addition
to the self weight of the frame. The loads are shown in Table F.6.

F-2
 F.1 Design parameters

Loads
Line load - magnitude p 7.5 kN/m
Line load - position Elements 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10 and 12 -
Line load - duration Permanent -
Line load - magnitude q 15 kN/m
Line load - position Elements 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10 and 12 -
Line load - duration Short term -

Table F.6 Load parameters.

For the timber frame structure, the releases and supports shown in Figure F.2 should be defined
as shown in Table F.7 and F.8, respectively.

Figure F.2 The releases and supports for the timber frame structure.

Boundary conditions
Element 1 3 4 5 7 9 10 12
Start node 1 3 4 5 6 8 9 11
End node 3 4 5 6 8 9 11 12
Start releases Fixed Fixed Fixed Fixed Fixed Fixed Fixed Fixed
End releases Pinned Fixed Fixed Fixed Pinned Fixed Fixed Fixed
Support xxxfff - - - - - - -

Table F.7 Boundary conditions for the beams.

Boundary conditions
Element 2 6 8 11
Start node 2 6 7 10
End node 4 7 9 11
Start releases Fixed Pinned Fixed Fixed
End releases Pinned Fixed Pinned Pinned
Support xxxfff xxxfff xxxfff xxxfff

Table F.8 Boundary conditions for the columns.

To be able to assess the design criteria the applied applications must be able to find the param-
eters given in Table F.9.

F-3
F. Timber frame structure

Design data
Allowable bending stress f m,d 24.92 MPa
Allowable tensile stress f t,0,d 15.58 MPa
Allowable tensile stress f t,90,d 0.35 MPa
Allowable normal stress f c,0,d 24.92 MPa
Allowable shear stress f v,d 2.63 MPa
Modification factor k mod 0.9 -
Instability factor k c,y var -
Factor for lateral buckling k crit var -
Factor kp var -
Volume factor k vol 1.0 -
Factor for distribution of stresses k dis 1.4 -
Service class 1 -

Table F.9 Parameters in relation to design.

The section forces in the timber frame structure are shown in Figure F.3, F.4 and F.5 whereas
the results obtained according to the design criteria in Section 4.3 are shown in Table F.10.

Figure F.3 Distribution of axial forces for the timber frame structure.

Figure F.4 Moment distribution for the timber frame structure.

F-4
 F.2 Updated parameters

Figure F.5 Distribution of shear forces for the timber frame structure.

Results
σc,0,d σm,y,d
EC5 6.3.2 k c,y · f c,0,d + f m,y,d Element 2 0.26 -
Element 6 1.04 -
Element 8 0.04 -
Element 11 0.28 -
 2
σc,d σm,d
EC5 6.3.3 k c,y · f c,0,d + k crit · f m,d Node 5 0.39 -
σt,0,d σm,y,d
EC5 6.2.3 f t,0,d + f m,y,d Element 10 0.79 -
τd
EC5 6.1.7 f v,d Node 4 0.56 -
Node 6 0.67 -
τd σt,90,d
EC5 6.4.3 f v,d + k dis ·k vol · f t,90,d Node 5 0.25 -
EC5 7.2 w f in Node 5 63.3 mm

Table F.10 Results of initial calculations for the timber frame structure.

F.2 Updated parameters

The changed parameters for the model where the tapered beams are modelled as pieces of
beams with constant rectangular cross section are presented the following.

The modelled timber frame structure are shown in Figure F.6 whereas the changed parameters
related to the cross section are shown in Table F.11.

Figure F.6 The element and node numbers for the timber frame structure where the tapered beams are replaced by
beams with constant section height.

F-5
F. Timber frame structure

Section properties
Element 3 4&16 5&14 7 12 13&15
Height h 720 1008 1202 770 580 1105 mm
Width b 200 200 200 200 200 200 mm
Area A 144 202 240 154 80 221 ·103 mm2
Moment of inertia Iy 6221 17070 28940 7609 1067 22490 ·106 mm4
Elastic modulus Wel,y 17280 33870 48160 19760 5333 40700 ·103 mm3

Table F.11 Parameters in relation to the cross section for the beams.

The changed geometric parameters for the beams are shown in Table F.12.

Geometry
Element 4 5 13 14 15 16
Length l 2967 2950 2966 2967 2950 2950 mm

Table F.12 Geometry parameters for the beams.

The changed load positions are shown in Table F.13.

Load
Line load - magnitude p 7.5 kN/m
Line load - position Elements 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 -
Line load - magnitude q 15 kN/m
Line load - position Elements 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 -

Table F.13 Load parameters.

For the timber frame structure the releases shown in Figure F.7 should be defined as shown in
Table F.14.

Figure F.7 The releases and supports for the timber frame structure.

F-6
 F.3 Procedure of tests

Boundary conditions
Element 4 5 13 14 15 16
Start node 4 5 13 14 15 16
End node 13 15 14 5 16 6
Start releases Fixed Fixed Fixed Fixed Fixed Fixed
End releases Fixed Fixed Fixed Fixed Fixed Fixed

Table F.14 Boundary conditions for the beams.

F.3 Procedure of tests

The procedure leading to the results in Table 4.1 are described in the following. The employed
models can be found at the enclosed CD-ROM in the folder 4-TimberFrameStructure.

Revit add-on tool (RVT add-on)

The results in the add-on tool are obtained very easy.

• Revit Extensions, Simulation - Static Analysis of Frames:

1. Delete supports from the steel columns.

2. Calculations → Results (Only section forces, i.e. no code check is available.)

Direct link from Revit to Robot and backwards (RVT ↔ RSA)

To obtain the correct results in Robot some choices are necessary.

• Revit Extensions, Integration with Robot Structural Analysis (Send model):

1. Choice about model correction in Robot

2. Choice about bar end releases
3. Choice about materials

• Robot:

4. Verification → No errors and no warnings are found

5. Redefine loads on element 12
6. Redefine load combination (Type changed from dead load to snow load and from
SLS to ULS)
7. Calculation → Three irrelevant warnings → Results (Section forces and deflection.)
8. Manually define element type as Timber column and Timber beam
9. Define load duration
10. Define service class
11. Code check → Results (Section forces, deflection and code check.)

To update the model in Revit from the analysis in Robot, some choices are needed.

• Robot:

F-7
F. Timber frame structure

12. Update section properties, geometry, material properties, loads and boundary con-
ditions one at a time
13. New code check

• Revit Extensions, Integration with Robot Structural Analysis (Update model):

14. Choice about scope

15. Nothing happens to the model in Revit except for when changing the section prop-
erties or material

Direct link from Revit to StaadPro and backwards (RVT ↔ SPro)

To obtain the correct results in StaadPro some choices and corrections are necessary.

• SI Xchange (Export):

1. Choice about shape maps

2. Choice about units

• StaadPro:

3. Manually define cross sections

4. Redefine loads on element 10 and 12 (the position of the load on element 10 wrong
and the load on element 12 is missing)
5. Manually add self weight
6. Choose type of analysis (Analysis/Print: All, Design - Timber: EC5 (define load
duration, member type and section class))
→ Results (Section forces, deflection and code check.)

Note: Coordinate system different from Robot.

To update the model in Revit from the analysis in StaadPro, some choices are needed.

• StaadPro:

7. Update section properties, geometry, material properties, loads and boundary con-
ditions one at a time
8. New code check

• SI Xchange (Import):

9. Nothing happens to the model in Revit

F-8
 Appendix G
Three-dimensional steel structure

The design parameters and procedure described in this appendix form the basis of
the tests performed in Chapter 5.

G.1 Design parameters

The parameters needed to evaluate the design criteria in Section 5.3 are presented in the fol-
lowing tables.

The three-dimensional steel structure is shown in Figure G.1.

Figure G.1 The three-dimensional steel structure and the elements selected for code check.

The parameters related to the cross section of the selected elements are shown in Table G.1.

G-1
G. Three-dimensional steel structure

Section properties
Element 106 176 381
Profile IPE400 IPE400 IPE500
Section class 1 1 1
Height h 400 400 500 mm
Width b 180 180 200 mm
Web thickness tw 8.60 8.60 10.2 mm
Flange thickness tf 13.6 13.6 16.0 mm
Radius r 21.0 21.0 21.0 mm
Area A 8.45 8.45 11.6 ·103 mm2
Moment of inertia Iy 231 231 482 ·106 mm4
Moment of inertia Iz 13.2 13.2 21.4 ·106 mm4
Torsion constant It 514 514 897 ·103 mm4
Warping constant Iw 490 490 1250 ·109 mm6
Plastic modulus Wpl,y 1.31 1.31 2.19 ·106 mm3
Plastic modulus Wpl,z 0.23 0.23 0.34 ·106 mm3

Table G.1 Parameters in relation to the cross section for the selected elements.

The relevant geometric parameters for the beams and columns are shown in Table G.2. The
effective length is equal to the length of the elements. This is not necessarily correct but main-
tained since it is default in Robot and StaadPro. Furthermore it is not relevant for the tests.

Geometry
Element 106 176 381
Length l 8895 12551 2581 mm
Effective length le f f 8895 12551 2581 mm

Table G.2 Geometry parameters for the selected elements.

The parameters that define the material steel S355 are presented in Table G.3.

Material properties
Yield stress fy 355 MPa
Modulus of elasticity E 210 GPa
Shear modulus G 81 GPa
Density ρ 77.01 kN/m3

Table G.3 Material parameters.

As described in Section 5.3 the structure is subjected to self weight and snow load in addition
to the self weight of the steel. The loads are shown in Table G.4. The area loads are modelled
as line loads with varying magnitude according to the varying load areas.

G-2
 G.1 Design parameters

Loads
Area load - Roof gr 2.0 kN/m2
Area load - Facade gf 1.5 kN/m2
Area load - Roof sr 0.72 kN/m2
Area load - Facade sf 0.72 kN/m2

Table G.4 Load parameters.

For the three-dimensional steel structure the columns are generally pinned in the bottom. The
releases and supports for the selected elements are shown in Table G.5.

Boundary conditions
Element 106 176 381
Start node 164 153 254
End node 167 26 256
Start releases xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxfxf
End releases xxxxxx xxxxxf xxxfxf
Support xxxfff xxxfff -

Table G.5 Boundary conditions for the selected elements.

To be able to assess the design criteria the applied applications must be able to find the param-
eters given in Table G.6.

Design data
Element 106 176 381
Moment capacity M pl,y,R 422 422 708 kNm
M pl,z,R 73.9 73.9 108 kNm
Reduced moment capacity M N,y,R 422 422 - kNm
M N,z,R 73.9 73.9 - kNm
Shear capacity Vpl,R 795 - 1125 kN
Vpl,T,R - 795 - kN
Normal capacity Npl,R 2.73 2.73 3.74 ·103 kN
Ncr,y 6.06 3.04 150 ·103 kN
Ncr,z 0.35 0.17 6.66 ·103 kN

Table G.6 Parameters in relation to design of the selected elements.

The section forces in the selected steel elements are shown in Table G.7.

G-3
G. Three-dimensional steel structure

Results
Element 106 176 381
Length of elements 8.9 12.6 2.6 m
Point for results 6.5 3.3 0 m
Normal force NE 48.6 3.3 23.2 kN
Bending moment My,E 43.0 57.4 38.5 kNm
Mz,E 0.44 0.4 - kNm
Shear force Vy,E 0.33 2.22 - kN
Vz,E 6.58 19.0 13.8 kN
Torsional moment Tt,E - 0.01 - kN

Table G.7 Results of calculations for the steel structure.

The results obtained according to the design criteria in Section 5.3 are shown in Table G.8.

Results
Element 106 176 381
 α  β
My,E Mz,E
EC3 6.2.5 M N,y,R + M N,z,R 0.11 0.14 0.05

VE
EC3 6.2.6 Vc,R 0.01 - 0.01

VE
EC3 6.2.6-7 Vpl,T,R - 0.02 -

NE M M
EC3 6.3.3 χy · Npl,R + k yy χ LT · My,Epl,y,R + k yz M pl,z,R
z,E
0.15 0.09 0.06
NE M M
χz · Npl,R + k zy χ LT · My,Epl,y,R + k zz M pl,z,R
z,E
0.25 0.10 0.01

Table G.8 Results of calculations for the steel structure.

G-4
 G.2 Procedure of tests for import to Revit from Tekla Structures

G.2 Procedure of tests for import to Revit from Tekla Structures

The procedures for import of the three-dimensional steel structure in Revit are described in
the following. The employed models can be found at the enclosed CD-ROM in the folder 5-
ImportFilesRevit.
DWG
Import to Revit via a DWG file (Tekla → RVT)
There are to different methods of importing the DWG file in Revit. The procedure is the same.

• Import CAD or Link CAD:

1. The structure appear as one object in Revit

2. Each element consists of lines i.e. it is not an object and have no analytical represen-
tation

IFC
Import to Revit via an IFC file (Tekla → RVT)
The procedure of importing the IFC file.

• Open IFC:

1. Two errors (Can’t keep elements joined and can’t regenerate IPE400)
→ Unjoin elements
2. Each element is an object but have no analytical representation

CIS/2
Import to Revit via a CIS/2 file (Tekla → RVT)
The procedure of importing the CIS/2 file.

• Add-on - CIS/2 Import:

1. Choice about model: Analytical model (324 elements)

2. Two irrelevant warnings about some concrete elements that does not exist in the
model
3. 132 imported elements and 192 unimported elements (166 of them are SHS elements)
4. Three errors (Can’t keep elements joined and can’t make IPE400)
5. Eight warnings (Beam or brace is slightly of axis and may cause inaccuracies)
→ Unjoin elements
6. One error (Can’t make IPE400) → Delete type
7. Each element is an object with an analytical representation

G-5
G. Three-dimensional steel structure

G.3 Procedure of tests

The procedure leading to the results in Table 5.2 are described in the following. The employed
models can be found at the enclosed CD-ROM in the folder 5-Three-dimensionalSteelStructure.

Revit add-on tool (RVT add-on)

It is easy to use the add-on tool, however it is only possible to handle one element at a time.

• Revit Extensions, Simulation - Static Analysis of Frames:

1. Delete supports added in every node point along the element

2. Calculations → Results (The results are wrong since loads from the adjacent ele-
ments are not taken into account.)

Direct link from Revit to Robot and backwards (RVT ↔ RSA)

To obtain results in Robot some choices are necessary.

• Revit Extensions, Integration with Robot Structural Analysis (Send model):

1. Choice about model correction in Robot

2. Choice about bar end releases
3. Choice about materials

• Robot:

4. Verification → One irrelevant warning is found

5. Manually define element types as Simple bar
6. Calculation → One irrelevant warning → Results (Section forces and deflection.)
7. Code check → Results (Section forces, deflection and code check.)

To update the model in Revit from the analysis in Robot, some choices are needed.

• Robot:

8. Update section properties, geometry, material properties, loads and boundary con-
ditions one at a time
9. New code check

• Revit Extensions, Integration with Robot Structural Analysis (Update model):

10. Choice about scope

11. Nothing happens to the model in Revit except for when changing the section prop-
erties

Direct link from Revit to StaadPro and backwards (RVT ↔ SPro)

To obtain results in StaadPro some choices and corrections are necessary.

• SI Xchange (Export):

1. Choice about shape maps

G-6
 G.3 Procedure of tests

2. Choice about units

• StaadPro:

3. Redefine BC’s
4. Redefine releases since the y and z coordinate is changed
5. Manually define cross sections and add them to the elements (Relevant for the ele-
ments with square hollow sections)
6. Redefine loads at three elements where the loads are missing
7. Manually add self weight
8. Choose type of analysis (Analysis/Print: All, Design - Steel: EC3)
→ Results (Section forces, deflection and code check.)

Note: Coordinate system different from Robot.

To update the model in Revit from the analysis in StaadPro, some choices are needed.

• StaadPro:

9. Update section properties, geometry, material properties, loads and boundary con-
ditions one at a time
10. New code check

• SI Xchange (Import):

11. Nothing happens to the model in Revit except for when changing the section prop-
erties

G-7