Using Building Information Modeling (BIM) for Structural Engineering

Traditionally structural processes begin with the architectural document set, be it paper or CAD-based. The structural engineering team interprets the architectural design to create an overall structural design and then create specialized analytical models, using different software applications for the multiple type of structural analysis required for the project, gravity, dynamic and wind analysis. In parallel, the structural drafters create yet another representation of the building in the construction process - creating multiple drawings of the same information.

This traditional workflow results in multiple models that are not coordinated, requiring manual efforts to keep them in sync. Opportunities for errors abound. For instance, one of the analysis program prompts a change to a structural column, but the structural drafter misses the change, so the analytical representation does not match with the physical representation. The documentation falls out of sync. The other analytical models become outdated, the downstream analyses are compromised, and the validity of the design suffers.

CAD applications such as Revit, AutoCAD and Tekla allow engineers and designers to create a single building model combining a physical representation of the building which is fully associated with an analytical presentation. The building model is used for the complete production of construction documents and can be used for different types of analysis.

The physical representation denotes the physical layout of the structure in the building - beams, columns, walls, footings, etc. It also drives construction documentation. As the physical representation develops, the analytical representation is created automatically, containing the necessary data needed for third-party analysis applications. The analytical representation is an abstract 3D digital model used for structural analysis.

In building information modeling every view, drawing sheet and schedule is direct representation of the same underlying database. Users can explore different structural systems and alternate design options from within the same model. As the design team makes changes to the building structure, the parametric change technology within Revit Structure automatically coordinates the changes across all other representations of the project. As a result, the design model, design options, and documentation stay coordinated, consistent and complete.


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