Blog 5 - Structural Engineering Automation (Analysis, Design, and BIM)

26 NOV 2020

This video presents the automation of structural engineering using artificial intelligence (ai).

The ai demonstrates its capability in designing a structure with both Reinforced Concrete (RC) and Steel, and it can automatically recognise transfer beams in the structure and whether it is necessary to use pile foundations based on the ground conditions. The entire process of analysis and design is automated by the ai.

By using an ai for engineering work, you can drastically reduce cost and enable consistency in analysis, design, modelling, drafting and tracking of revisions. All of the information is retained, thus enabling a comprehensive method for BIM. In this video, I have demonstrated that all of this is possible in one programme (i.e., Dynamo).

From a set of floor geometry inputs (i.e., size, location, floor and loads), the ai automatically generates the structural framing for the building, and automatically shifts the beams and columns away from the building edges. Sizing of the structure is determined based on the height restrictions of each floor.

Structural analysis is carried out as a space frame analysis, and the internal forces are used to automatically design the members.

For RC structures, steel reinforcements are automatically designed for the members.

For Steel structures, member end connections are automatically assigned as plastic hinges to reflect the beam-end connections for steel structures. Steel bracing is added to the structure.

Wind analysis is carried out by calculating the building area exposed to wind load, and a rigid diaphragm is automatically assigned to each floor.

Please email me at contact@violetcloud.ai if you would like me to develop programmes and ai for you in Structural Engineering, BIM Modelling, Engineering Drawings and Dynamo. I can customise the ai to suit your business needs.