Within ARCHICAD, users can create complex structures, such as composites and complex profiles. Thanks to the Structural Function classification, at the element and component level, ARCHICAD detects their load-bearing core and creates their simplified representation: structural analytical members, which can be used in structural analysis. The relationship and unity of these members define the Structural Analytical Model inside a project.
The Structural Analytical Model can be exported as a whole, but it is also possible to export only parts of it - e.g. visible or selected elements only. This filtering enables engineers to check compliance with national standards which differ by structure type (e.g. steel, reinforced concrete, precast, composites, timber).
ARCHICAD includes features and functions that ensure the correctness and professional usability of the Structural Analytical Model:
•1D/2D Members and Supports, with correct and continuous connection to provide load-transfer from one to another (this is a must-have criteria for finite element method (FEM)-based analysis and design),
•The parameters of structural analytical Members are derived from the physical properties and environment of the load-bearing elements. These parameters include:
–Core geometry (profiles/sizes)
–Core materials and connection types (end/edge releases)
–Structural behavior (in analysis)
ARCHICAD also provides several quality check tools to detect incorrectly modeled construction elements or discontinuities in either the Physical or Structural Analytical Models.
See Model Checking.
Structural Analytical Model Representation
In ARCHICAD, the Structural Analytical Model can be displayed in all 3D Views, 3D Documents, Floor Plans, Sections and Elevations.
Since the Structural Analytical Model is created in parallel with the Physical (BIM) Model, it can be viewed in one or the other or both, to fit the current workflow.
Show Structural Analytical Model
Show Transparent Physical Model
Project Preferences now include detailed and flexible settings for the style (colors, transparencies, symbol sizes) of the Structural Analytical Model components (nodes, end/edge releases, load-bearing core profile and the local coordinate system of Members).
ARCHICAD offers immediate visual feedback about the connections between Structural Analytical Model Members. By default, a node with:
•green color represents a correct connection point or intersection between joined analytical Members
•red color represents:
–Free point/end
–Unconnected point/end
–Unsupported point/end