PREFAB A FEM-Design extension

PREFAB turns FEM‑Design results into design ready documentation.

Compile component loads, share interactive PDFs, or send it back to FEM-Design for wall, plate and foundation design. One model stays the source of truth.

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Native FEM-Design extension

Reads your FEM-Design model directly: no parallel modelling, no rekeying.

Interactive PDF reports

Toggleable layers, tooltips, and per component drill down for the whole project.

Two way FEM-Design round trip

Walls, plates and foundations carried back with all load combinations preserved.

Trusted by

Engineering teams using PREFAB across Europe

The challenge

FEM-Design load take down is critical, and it is where projects lose time

In most projects, component loads has to be delivered to the component designer, and keep they need to be in sync as the model evolves. Done manually, it is slow, error prone, and almost impossible to trace when something changes.

Manual extraction of loads from analysis results takes hours per project
Spreadsheets and ad hoc reports drift out of sync the moment the model is updated
Informal data hand off between consultants and suppliers leaves traceability gaps
Optimising large models means rerunning take downs you never wanted to touch
Projects are "rigid" and difficult to modify after first delivery

Why PREFAB

Why engineers choose PREFAB

PREFAB eliminates the manual steps on load delivery to compenent designer. And allows for optimal workflows in-house.

Hours of FEM-Design manual work, gone

PREFAB reads your FEM-Design model directly and compiles component level load documentation automatically. No spreadsheets, no copy and paste, no reentry when the model changes.

One source of truth, from model to supplier

Consultants and component designers work from the same structured output (interactive PDF, FEM-Design file, or locked PREFAB for PREFAB Viewer), so nothing drifts between handoffs.

Three data treatments, one clean handoff

Pick the approach that fits the project: Direct FEM-Design results, Simplified FEM-Design for cleaner component documentation, or Plastic Redistribution for optimised lower bound loads. Whichever you choose, the output lands with the component designer in a structured, traceable format.

Workflow Example

Follow one FEM-Design model through PREFAB and out to export

Start with an analysed FEM-Design model, sync it into PREFAB, and access three export paths: interactive PDF, FEM-Design export, or a locked PREFAB file for PREFAB Viewer.

FEM-Design

PREFAB

PDF Export

FEM-Design Export

Export PREFAB data back to FEM-Design for component design

Locked PREFAB File

PDF Export

Interactive PDF reports with layers, tooltips, and per-component detail

The original PREFAB deliverable. Each PDF supports toggleable layers and tooltips so the reader can drill into the exact data they need without switching tools.

PREFAB PDF export showing FEM-Design floor plan loads

Floor plans

The floor plan section covers structural plans, load case and combination plans, and results mapped onto the plan view. Toggleable layers let the reader show or hide specific data.

Structural plan with geometry specifications, and material properties
Load plans for each load case and combination
Results from load combinations with interactive tooltips per component

PREFAB PDF export showing FEM-Design elevation loads

Elevations

Elevation pages present axis views in 2D, with axis-level loads and reactions, plus element-level loads and reactions for each wall or plate edge.

Structural elevation axis views with geometry specifications, edge conditions, and material properties
External loads and reactions per-combination, on each component
Basic stability design checks for concrete walls, and anchorage
Results shown for on elevations or for each element alone

PREFAB PDF export showing FEM-Design bar element forces

Bar elements

Summary tables for bar elements in the model, including beams, columns, fictious bars, and truss elements, with forces broken out per load combination for direct use in component design checks.

Summary tables grouping into types, with geometrical specifications, and material properties
Governing element sectionforces, as max of all or per load combination
Member internal forces across bar types
Axial loads displayed in 3D figure for columns

FEM-Design Export

Open directly in FEM-Design with all load cases and combinations

The FEM-Design export opens automatically with every exertnal load and reaction combined in the original combination. All interaction loads contain information about the element they originate from. Choose the scope that matches your design task: walls, plates, reactions, or a custom section, all with the option to retain their original model coordinates.

PREFAB wall export opening in FEM-Design for structural design

Walls

Suited to wall design. Each element is statically independent by default, and loads on the walls align with the data treatment method, and therefore the PDF document. Select individual walls, full elevations or custom selections for targeted export after the standard load take down.

Statically independent elements by default. All connections to elements not included/connected will have their interaction forces moddelled as loads
Loads on walls align with the PDF, so it's one source of truth
Element, elevation or custom selection export options
Easy export from the export tab, or direct from the Model view tab
Optimize and design without modifying the load take down model

PREFAB plate export opening in FEM-Design for structural design

Plates

Suited to plate design. Each element is statically independent by default, and loads on the plates align with the data treatment method, and therefore the PDF document. Select individual plates, full plans or custom selections for targeted export after the standard load take down.

Statically independent elements by default. All connections to elements not included/connected will have their interaction forces moddelled as loads
Loads on plates align with the PDF, so it's one source of truth
Element, plan or custom selection export options
Easy export from the export tab, or direct from the Model view tab
Optimize and design without modifying the load take down model

Custom

Export arbitrary sections of walls and plates. One full storey, a core, or any selection you define. Coordinates are retained at their original position in the model, so the exported file maps back to the global geometry. And the elements still connected reating the conditions for interaction, while the rest are applied as loads. Enabling optimiziation of sections without modifying the full load take down.

Select walls and plates by storey, axis, or freeform selection in the Model view tab
Coordinates retained at their original model position
All load cases and combinations preserved in the export
Optimize and design without modifying the rest of the load take down model

PREFAB foundation reaction export to FEM-Design

Reactions

Suited to foundation design. The export carries reactions aligned with the chosen data treament, and will keep add comments about where each load originates from. Foundation objects can be added manually in FEM-Design after import.

Reactions with all load cases and combinations preserved
Loads aligned with the interactive PDF output
Design and optimize foundations in a seperate model than the load take down
Update and check the effect of a modified load take down model with a quick update of loads

Locked PREFAB File

Share a locked PREFAB file with an external component designer

Export a locked file so the recipient can open it in PREFAB Viewer with full filtering, search by component ID, and all export capabilities. The data treatment is locked. Pair it with a PDF for complete load take-down documentation on your side.

Locked PREFAB file viewer for receiving FEM-Design component loads

What the recipient gets

A locked PREFAB file opens in PREFAB Viewer. The data treatment is fixed by the sender, but the receiver retains full navigation and export options.

Filter and search by component ID
Export to PDF, FEM-Design, or Excel from Viewer
Input and calculation type locked by the sender
Pair with PDF for load take-down documentation on the sender’s side

Data treatment

Compare the three data treatment types

Direct FEM-Design

Use this type when the goal is to display and document the FEM-Design result directly. And/or to use PREFAB as a clean snatch and grap tool for getting any element in a seperate model for design. PREFAB does no data treatment, only collection and passing of it. It's the default Constant-by-element result type in FEM-Design, that is being read.

Best for direct model traceability
Good visual for raw result shape and peak locations
Less material sensitive

Simplified FEM-Design

Use this type when the same model based result needs to be easier to communicate at component level. The display should help the reader see a cleaner load picture without reading it as a Plastic Redistribution case. The resulant forces are kept, but the compression zones are averaged in steps to get a simpler solution to the load take down.

Best for supplier handover and readable reports
Good visual for showing simplified load zones
Optimal for concrete elements. Reduces elastic peak zones

Plastic Redistribution

Use this type when PREFAB should do more than display FEM-Design based results. PREFAB finds a lower-boundary solution to the load take down, considering the edge-condition capacites while equilibrium is maintained. Save time on analysis in FEM-Design, and optimize with PREFAB.

Best for controlled lower bound optimisation
Good visual for optimal possible solution
FEM-Design is only for geometry, loads, and capacity input. PREFAB finds the solution

Who uses PREFAB

Two primary workflows, built around two roles

PREFAB serves the two real downstream paths for your load take down. Switch the view to see how it fits your role.

FEM-Design PREFAB FEM-Design (design) or Locked PREFAB

Consultant engineer

Own the model. Deliver with confidence.

You build and run the FEM-Design load take down. PREFAB turns your results into standardised documentation you can pass to a component designer. For all in-house parts, i.e. foundation design, plates, it lets you push the same data back into seperate FEM-Design models for easier design. All with the original take down untouched.

Automated load documentation from your existing FEM-Design model
Locked PREFAB file to send to component designer, for fast data delivery
Round-trip back into FEM-Design with all load cases and combinations for in-house design
Whole-structure optimisation on large models by splitting design to seperate models — original take down preserved
Same model as base, controlled environment, faster iteration

Made by structural engineers, for structural engineers

Part of the FEM-Design ecosystem

A native extension to FEM-Design, not a side tool. Same model, same data, same goal.

Backed by StruSoft since 1994

Three decades of structural engineering software, delivered by StruSoft and used across Europe.

5 supported languages

English, Hungarian, Finnish, Dutch, and Polish, built for cross border project teams. With fast addition of more languagues.

Built for precast concrete

Workflows shaped by real precast concrete projects, from documentation through to component design.

Meet the PREFAB Team

Casper Hougaard

Product Owner

Many years of experience using FEM-Design for load take down, and helping customers get the most out of FEM-Design and PREFAB.

Benjamin Laustsen

Head Developer

Years of experience as a precast concrete designer, and developer. The mind behind PREFAB.

Mazsi Jávorszky

Software Engineer

Software Engineer in the same office as the FEM-Design team, strengthening the direct connection between the tools.

Quick intro

PREFAB Quick Intro

This short YouTube clip is a Quick Intro to PREFAB: how it takes FEM-Design analysis results and turns them into standardised component level documentation you can hand off as interactive PDF, FEM-Design exports, locked files for PREFAB Viewer, or Excel. Use the play tile or the button below to watch it in a viewer on this page.

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FAQ

Things teams ask before they start with PREFAB

Short answers to the questions we hear most. If yours isn't here, talk to your local StruSoft contact.

PREFAB is an extension to FEM-Design that automates standardised load documentation for precast concrete and CLT projects. It reads FEM-Design analysis results and turns them into component level deliverables: interactive PDFs, FEM-Design files for further design, locked PREFAB files for PREFAB Viewer, and Excel exports.
PREFAB plugs in after analysis. You keep building and running your FEM-Design model the same way; PREFAB reads the results, lets you choose a data treatment approach, and produces the documentation. There is no parallel modelling and no manual data entry. The FEM-Design model stays the source of truth as default.
Use Direct FEM-Design when you want documentation to stay closest to the FEM-Design output. Pick Simplified FEM-Design when the handover needs clearer component level data while remaining traceable. Use Plastic Redistribution when you want a controlled lower bound optimisation for per storey or for the full model in one go.
Yes. PREFAB exports a FEM-Design .struxml with all load cases and combinations carried through, ready for detailed wall, plate or foundation design. Reactions, walls and plates each have their own export so you can target the design step you need.
PREFAB is the full tool: it reads FEM-Design results, lets you choose a data treatment, and produces deliverables. PREFAB Viewer is what receivers use to open locked PREFAB files: full filtering, search by component ID, and export, but without changing the data treatment.
PREFAB ships in English, Hungarian, Finnish, Dutch, and Polish. Is your language missing? We will add it first chance possible if you desire it.
FEM-Design itself has a recurring trial available from the StruSoft main site. PREFAB trial access runs through your local sales representative: get in touch and they'll set you up with the right combination for your project.

Bring PREFAB into your next project

Read the full product description, or reach out to your local StruSoft contact to arrange a demo or trial access.

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