Robot Structural Analysis: Advanced Tool For Design Modeling Solutions

Integration with the Revit Contextual Analytical Model:

The nature of the Revit-Robot interoperability was changed because Revit is now suggested as the core component for physical and analytical model coordination.

Its analytical model geometry is accurate and fully adaptable. The theoretical model, as well as its material and sectional properties, are the centre of a completely bidirectional geometrical exchange.

Revit 2024 introduces a new method of defining structural loads. Analytical members and panels hold point, linear, and area loads, which can be constrained to the geometry of the element.

The revised load definitions have been completely translated to the Robot Structural Analysis model.

Enhancements to Revit

• Prevent the import of structural loads from Revit to Robot that are defined outside the host border (exceptions are linear loads on panels that are partially or totally outside the host).
• Transfer of uniform load from panel to robot has been simplified.
• Improved panel transfer capabilities for thickness and material differences.
• The transfer of analytical panels built by extrusion in Revit has been enabled.
• When transferred from Revit, the analytical member Structural Role is used to determine the default Steel Design type in Robot.
• The round journey of steel design parameters between Revit and Robot has been enabled.
• When editing Revit and sending it to the Robot model, the grid position is updated.
• The transfer has been enabled.

Photo Credit: Autodesk

Load Distribution Improvements from Cladding to Members and Walls

In terms of quality and performance, load distribution from claddings to beams, columns, and panels was improved.

The following load distribution performance optimizations have been implemented:

• Applying and spreading linear loads on a panel was corrected.
• Accurate repeated linear load application to a panel through calculation model with finite element mesh and simple method of load distribution.
• Load distribution performance on claddings has been improved.

Seismic Analysis for Canada

For seismic analysis, the current Canadian code NBCC 2015 was used.

Two methods with revised parameters for method analysis and full analysis calculation notes are included in the implementation.

• Analysis of the Response Spectrum – Seismic Analysis Parameters (NBC 2015 Canadian Code)
• The method of Equivalent Lateral Force – See Seismic Analysis Parameters (Canadian Code NBC 2015 – Static) for further information. To locate these new regional new load combination codes, go to:
  • Select Tools Job Preferences Design Codes from the drop-down menu. The Job Preferences window appears.
  • In the left panel of the Job Preferences dialogue, select Loads.
  • To display a list of available codes, select Seismic loads from the drop-down list.

Photo Credit: Autodesk

Please keep in mind that the codes available in the drop-down lists are determined by the nation selected in the Preferences dialogue. Click the arrow, then More at the bottom of the list to configure the list of possible codes.

Required Reinforcement Software Development Kit Enhancement

To add your own analysis design codes to Robot Structural Analysis (RSA), use the Required Reinforcement Software Development Kit (SDK).

The current SDK version has been modified to simplify the process of customizing product capabilities while also providing you with fundamental software programming skills. Whether you are a programming engineer, a community, or an engineering firm, it is now easy to build and use new design codes in RSA that are tailored to local design practices or company requirements.

The revised SDK allows you to focus more on designing design code algorithms, while the framework supports integration with Robot Structural Analysis.

The improved Required Reinforcement SDK is an easier entry point into your journey with customized design codes for Robot, providing the same user experience as design codes included in the software.

Additionally:

• The new SDK documentation goes into further detail about the concept and benefits of the concealed RSA communication layer. The guides contain recommended Visual Studio setup configurations as well as a discussion of the framework concept.
• A completely new set of design code implementation samples using the SDK has been included. The examples were developed in accordance with the EN 1992-1-1 design code and could serve as a useful reference for developers developing design codes similar to or based on Eurocodes.
• New examples and tutorials include design and engineering logic descriptions, as well as links to working software code (as shown in the image above). Analytically solved verification examples, including rtd files, are also included in the manuals.
• The code provided in the EN 1992-1-1 implementation samples can be reused in all of the new examples, which are implemented under an Open-Source license.
• Improvements were made to RSA’s execution side for the customized design code analysis behavior, which avoids RSA from freezing if the software code is incomplete or malformed.