BIM Integrations

BIM Integrations are supported with FEM-Design to help you easily facilitate design workflows with industry standard 3D modelling software and open file formats, such as Revit, Tekla, IFC and SAF.

Revit Add-In – StruXML

StruSoft offers a free tool that enables direct communication between FEM-Design and Autodesk Revit Structure for BIM integrations. The StruXML Revit Add-In enables two-directional communication between Revit and FEM-Design. It is powerful, but at the same time an easy to use tool, that transfers the analytical model along with its properties between the two programs.

The transfer of structural elements from Revit to FEM-Design is done by exporting an analytical model of an instance of the element along with its properties. Please note that if a structural element in Revit does not have the analytical model enabled, it can not be exported into FEM-Design.

Element Data Transfer Options

The following elements and properties can be exported/imported from/to Revit using the StruSoft StruXML Revit Add-In: –

• Structural Columns
• Structural Framing elements
• Structural Floors
• Structural Walls
• Structural Foundation
• Grids, levels, and reference planes
• Loads, load cases and load combinations
• Reinforcement (import only)

For full details of the export/import specification please check the StruXML Revit-Add-in User Manual on the FEM-Design Wiki by clicking here.

Tekla Tools

StruSoft offers a set of free tools that enable direct communication between FEM-Design and Tekla Structures for BIM integrations. The two independent tools exchange data through an external file in XML format, called StruXML. 

Tekla StruXML Export

Tekla StruXML Export tool enables direct communication between Tekla and FEM-Design. The direct data transfer is solely based on Tekla Analysis Model export. The exact geometry of the selected analysis model can be exported to an external file in XML format (*.struxml), which can be opened in FEM-Design. The proper sections and materials are assigned to StruXML objects in the mapping process performed in the tool.

Characteristics:

• Export selected Tekla Structure analysis model to FEM-Design.
• The *.struxml file will include the defined material and profile mapping.
• List of transferred data: geometry of the analytical model, mapped cross-section of linear members, mapped material, releases of linear members, rigid links, grids system.

Tekla StruXML Import

Tekla StruXML Import tool enables direct communication between FEM-Design and Tekla. The direct data transfer is based on the conversion of FEM-Design analysis model transfer into Tekla native objects. The proper sections and materials are assigned to Tekla native objects in the mapping process performed in the tool.

Characteristics:

• Import FEM-Design model to create a new Tekla Structures model.
• Update Tekla Structures model with changes made in FEM-Design model after the initial import.
• One can import/update: selected element(s), group of elements (e.g. all beams, columns, etc.), all elements.
• List of transferred data: geometry of FEM-Design analysis model, a mapped cross-section of linear members, the thickness of plane walls and plane plates, mapped material, analytical element ID of an object.

For full details of the export/import specification please check the Tekla Tools on the FEM-Design Wiki by clicking here.

IDEA StatiCa connection

StruSoft offers a brand new tool that enables a smart connection between FEM-Design and IDEA StatiCa. The tool allows for sending 3D steel structures, or even just selected connected members and their internal forces as intelligent input for detailed design and verification of steel connections between FEM-Design and IDEA StatiCa.

This dedicated tool accelerates the finalization, detailing and documentation of steel connections thanks to IDEA StatiCa’s 250 ready connection templates and more than 10,000 configurations, as well as the optimization of fabrication and raw material costs.

Key features:

• Sharing FEM-Design data with IDEA StatiCa as an input for steel connection design including:
  • positions, cross-sections and materials of steel bar members,
  • internal forces (normal, shear forces and moments) calculated in the member
• Option to select which connected steel members shall be transferred to IDEA StatiCa.
• Data transfer can be done in two simple ways:
  • via a live, direct connection – if both programs are available on the computer, or
  • via a dedicated file, if the two programs are running on separate computers.
• In case of the live connection, a single click updates the input of the IDEA StatiCa connection design based on changes in the linked FEM-Design model.
• Automatic, but editable data matching (cross-section and material) between the two programs.
• Installation of any additional programs on either side is not required.

Read more about the IDEA StatiCa connection on the dedicated page.

Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) – BIM Integrations

IFC  is an open, neutral, data exchange format. It is optimised for physical model sharing among design disciplines. The IFC format is ISO-certified, and it is developed and maintained by buildingSMART (formerly the International Alliance for Interoperability).

Through IFC, FEM-Design can use 3D geometrical representation of construction elements defined by architectural and structural modelers as input for analysis models and calculation.

Within IFC, a so-called “Model View Definition” (MVD) gives recommendation for which data and elements the IFC model should include depending on the collaboration (model-exchange) purpose. For analysis software such as FEM-Design, the model view definitions that provide the most important physical model input are: IFC2x3 Coordination View (the most widely implemented view), IFC4 Reference View and IFC4 Design Transfer View.

Further technical information about the IFC import/export feature can be found on the FEM-Design Wiki by clicking here.

SAF Import

SAF (Structural Analysis Format) is an open-source format developed and optimised for exchanging structural analytical models between modelers and analysis software for BIM integrations. Besides improving the collaboration between structural engineers, SAF is focusing on a practical, easy-to-use, Excel-based format that can be used in daily practise by structural engineers.

FEM-Design can import the following Members

• 1D members created with Archicad Beam and Column tools. It works for straight, curved and slanted elements.
• Concrete and timber parametric rectangular and circular profiles, and manufactured steel profiles – thanks to name mapping done in Archicad and as an extra built-in/hidden mapping on the FEM-Design side. This mapping also works for structural materials.
• 2D members created with Archicad Slab, Wall and simple/flat Roof tools. It works for straight, curved and slanted walls too; in the case of curved walls, Archicad exports its segmented alternative representation.
• Structural links that correspond to Point/Line/Surface connections in FEM-Design.
• Structural supports.

StruSoft is one of the SAF schema developers. You can read more about SAF on the SAF website by clicking here.

Further technical information about the SAF import feature can be found on the FEM-Design Wiki by clicking here.

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