How can BIM enable Structural & MEP Engineers to gain competitive edge?

Challenges faced by engineers :
   
    MEP engineers face several challenges in the building industry. One such challenge is economy. It has been largely observed that MEP engineers have emerged from this challenge by diversifying their services through BIM. Researchers say that MEP BIM services can better weather economic storm. Another challenge for MEP engineers is to get the architects and engineers in sync with each other to complete tasks. They also face a challenge to incorporate the industrial standards as per owner’s demand for a sustainable design.

Solution:

    Due to transition from CAD (computer-aided design) to BIM, design practices in the building industry has changed. More and more AEC firms are adopting BIM approach for MEP. BIM can help MEP engineers to gain an advantage as follows:

    • Create better buildings using more coordinated information
    • Get project insight through design, and analysis
    • Collaborate more effectively

Coordination between Architects and Engineers:

    BIM helps to improve the coordination between architects and engineers. With the help of BIM, a change anywhere is a change everywhere. This is because the project information is stored in a consistent and coordinated model. BIM provides MEP engineers with an intuitive design environment to share accurate models and streamlining the design process.

Sustainable Design Goals:

    To incorporate the model-based approach for sustainable designs, AutoDesk offers Revit software. Revit allows MEP engineers to conduct early energy analysis, heating and cooling load calculations, and air flow simulations to better understand building performance.

Interference Checking With Other Disciplines:

    BIM helps identify potential clashes prior to construction through intelligent model-based information. An example of interference checking: Kohrs Loennermann Heil (KLH) engineers worked on a project for renovating Hebrew Union College Klau Library in Ohio. The project included renovation for a five-story library. The library included tall book stacks to be coordinated with the new duct work, lights, and technology systems. The firm used MEP BIM Services to reduce potential BIM clashes and avoid any costly changes.

Coordination with Design Teams:

    In case of structural engineering, when the design change is to be implemented, it affects both the analytical and the physical model. By implementing Structural BIM Services, engineers can analyze structural designs and conduct code checking to ensure the safety of the structure before construction begins. This ensures that architects are communicated for all the changes taking place using Revit software for BIM.

Coordinated Documentation:

    For structural engineers, it is important to lay out all the details for fabrication and construction. With the help of Revit software for BIM, it is easy for structural engineers to coordinate different documents from fabrication to construction. The documentation can be carried out with accuracy and precision.

We are offering MEP BIM and Structural BIM services:

    Steel Construction Detailing Pvt. Ltd. is offering MEP BIM and structural BIM services using latest software aid. Our designers and engineers are knowledgeable enough to provide the best possible solution for our clients. To leverage the best of our services, quote now.

If you have further queries regarding our services, please visit our official website or contact us.

What Are The Steel Beam Connection Types? Get To Know Here

A steel structure is made up of assemblies of different members such as columns and beams. Connections are the structural elements used for joining different members of steel structures. Steel beam connections come up with different types. They are mainly categorized into two groups namely seated and framing connections.

    In a seated steel beam connection, as the name suggests, the beam is positioned on the seat similar to that of masonry walls. While in framing steel beam connection, the beam is connected to the supporting steel beam element through a fitting.

    In this article, we are going to discuss different types of steel beam connections:

Different types of steel beam connections:

    • Bolted seat connections
    • Bolted framed connections
    • Welded seat connections
    • Welded framed connections
    • End plate connections

Bolted Seat Connections
    There are two types of bolted seated connections namely stiffened and unstiffened connections:
    If the reaction force at the end of the beam is large, then it is recommended to use stiffened connection type as it has the necessary strength to resist these forces. Whereas, in case of unstiffened connection type, there is a limit to resist the forces. 
    Seat connections are economical to fabricate and it provides immediate support during erection. Apart from this, they do not require much of Main Steel Detailing too. These connections are environment-friendly as the structure having this connection can be dismantled and used in other projects.

Bolted Framed Connections
    In this type, steel beams are connected to the supporting elements whether it is a grider or a column with certain connection angle. Commonly, the connection is calculated based on the loads at the end of the beam. A number of considerations are made for while designing this type of connection including strength, type, and size of fasteners and strength of base materials. Also, the minimum length of the connection must be at least half of the web depth. This ensures the stiffness and stability of the connection.

Welded Seat Connections
    It is very much similar to the bolt seat connection but to fasten the elements, welding is used instead of the bolts. Like bolt seat, this type of connection can also be categorized into stiffened and unstiffened types. The unstiffened type is used in case of small loads whereas the stiffened type is used in case of larger loads.
    Welded seat connection is not so environment-friendly as the structures with this type of connection can neither be dismantled nor erected easily.

Welded framed connections
    The weld of the connection depends upon the direct shear stress and stress caused by loads on the beam. So, these stresses are required to be considered. A part of the weld is carried out on-field and hence it is difficult to achieve to quality weld due to the movements of steel members by wind or other factors.

End plate connections
    End plate connections are of different types including flexible, semi-rigid, and rigid plate end connection. Fabrication and cutting of this type must be conducted with appropriate accuracy to avoid any errors. End plate connections are not suitable for tall structures.

We are providing main steel detailing services:
    Steel Construction Detailing Pvt. Ltd. is offering main steel detailing services like  Main Steel Erection Drawing and Main Steel Fabrication Drawing. Our detailed drawings are designed and supervised by experts in this field to give you top-notch quality drawing services with required standards and codes. We always strive to fulfill our client’s requirements without compromising on the quality.

If you have any query regarding Main Steel Erection Drawing and Main Steel Fabrication Drawing, please contact our consultants. Visit our website for more details.

Advance Steel 2019: What's new in store for Steel Detailing?

Advance Steel 2019 software offers a pool of elements, connections and other tools to help structural engineers carry out steel detailing efficiently with much ease. Here's a list of features it has to offer for steel modeling, documentation and interoperability:

Steel modeling

    1. Parametric Steel connections: It offers ready to use Connection Vault that can save a lot of time for engineers. A connection can:

    • Browse advance steel connections
    • Create a corresponding connection by looking at the sample image of other connection
    • Grouping connections that are frequently used in a category

    2. Built-in connection design engine: Check for steel connection design in real time.

    3. Stairs, railings, and cage ladders: Advance Steel allows for miscellaneous steelwork more quickly. One can create complex structures like:

    • Straight stair
    • Saddled stair
    • Hand-railing
    • Cage ladder
    • Spiral staircase

    4. Sheet Metal and folded plate work: Quickly creates 3D folded plates of any shape by joining different plates together.

    5. Fabrication data information: In Advance Steel 2016, there was an option for customizing fabrication data settings, galvanizing settings, and approval status for connections. But with the latest updated release, one can also visualize these objects and connection box properties in Object Properties Manager Window.

    6. Dynamo Extension: Create parametric complex structures with a visual programming tool.

    7. Select and View part of a model: One can isolate and display selected elements with the following level of details:

    • Low: only beams are displayed as lines.
    • Medium: only beams are displayed with their proper section, together with shortenings and cope features.
    • Medium with plates: Plates are also visible without any cuts.
    • High: Beams and plates are visible together with all their features.

    8. Intelligent structural objects: It enables quick modeling through the object library supported.

Documentation
    1. Call out on drawing: One can use call out on drawing to create a call out from a 2D or 3D view on your drawing. This new feature helps in creating more compelling drawings quickly and easily.
    2. General Arrangement Drawings: With th is feature, one can produce clearer drawings on site.
    3. Steel Shop Drawings: Now with Advance Steel 2019, it is possible to create more accurate Structural Shop Drawings for better Steel Fabrication.
    4. NC Data: It is possible to generate data for CNC workshop machines.
    5. Accurate BOM’s: Now you can generate accurate BOM’s based on design data.
    6. Document Manager: Control and track and documentation. Changes may take place both in the model and the drawings. With document managers, you can track the changes in the drawings automatically. 

Interoperability
    1. Bidirectional link with Revit: It allows for model synchronization, thus, fabrication can be done quickly.
    2. BIM 360 Interoperability: BIM allows for collaborating with the design team more efficiently. 
    3. Custom Settings Import: Now you can import your custom settings while moving to newer versions.
    4. Work Sharing: Several users can work on the same project at a time with minimal complications.
    5. Model-based approval workflow: It gives color-coded objects based on approval status.
These are the features provided by Advance Steel 2019 for more enhance steel fabrication and detailing.

We are offering steel detailing services:
    Steel Construction Detailing Pvt. Ltd. is offering steel detailing services using AutoDesk software to give our clients a unique experience of latest technology. We are providing quality design services for sheet metal fabrication as well. Our designers and detailers are very well aware of the standards and codes to be applied in the detail drawings as per the geographic locations.
For more details on the services provided by us, please visit our website. Feel free to ask any query regarding the services offered.