ICDAS is an abbreviation of Integrated Construction Design, Analysis and Animation System. This is state-of-the-art add-ins software that automatically, and concurrently, creates BIM and FEM models from a common parametric input in Excel, *.xml file or normal text file. ICDAS addins/plugins do not provide only a parametric interface for BIM and FEM models, but also to automate the models, in building and infrastructural constructions, as well.

Integrated

BIM and FEM models have been a wish for construction industry in many years. Software for BIM and FEM are developed fast, especially BIM, but still in two different products. Recently, Autodesk Robot and Tekla Structural Designer has presented theirs BIM-FEM integration, but limited in the building constructions. On the other hand, full FEM features are found in some leading FEM software, but they do not communicate clearly to the BIM model. As the result, designer/assistant and engineer work on two different inputs for the two platforms, and unfortunately, overlook the deviations. ICDAS eliminates these deviations by get the two leading software to automate the models through a common parametric input where Revit & LUSAS is chosen as BIM & FEM models in the default ICDAS workflow. Revit (Revise Instantly) provides intelligent model-based technology, in 2016 also Revit LIVE cloud services incl. Virtual Reality just two clicks away from the BIM model. LUSAS (London University Stress Analysis System) provides full 3D FEM features for both building and infrastructural constructions. LUSAS provides 3D cross section deformations and have the easiest user interface compared to other tools.

In October 2018 ICDAS keep further focus on the integrating GIS and BIM using InfraWorks 360 tool and workflow of software. It allows us to create 3D site model incl. roads design (InfraWorks, Civil3D, GIS Data), bridges and buildings (Revit) all in one cloud model.

Construction

in an ICDAS project can both be a building or an infrastructural construction, in structural materials concrete and/or steel. For building constructions the BIM models have further non-structural materials like glass, insulation, water and so on which are stored in Revit Material Libraries. For infrastructural constructions ICDAS provides BIM models for any shape of the constructions, from vertical wind turbine foundations to bridges in double-curved alignments. Construction can also be a quite simple as you meet often in your projects. Some examples are shown in the Models tab above. The term “Construction” in ICDAS from 2017 March refers also to ‘Virtual Design & Construction (VDC)’. It is about designing and then building virtually before building in reality. More about these technologies are outlined in the design section.

Design

in ICDAS is focused on to automate BIM and FEM model concurrently, or just one of them after the need. For bridges the automation read parametric Excel input to automate both Revit and LUSAS model immediately. Unlike BIM-FEM or FEM-BIM workflow, the users do not need to complete the one task for the next task. In case of constructions having standard steel profiles, ICDAS automation reduces further time to input profiles twice in BIM and FEM models as they are inputted once in Excel file. ICDAS Excel input provides further: 

›    very large numbers of parametric objects which can be automated

    in one run, as the Excel allow 1048576 rows and 16384 columns

    input of data.

›    be also the input for other software applied in project if the other

    automations are desired.

›    be also the output where non-graphic information are writing back

    from BIM model.

›    two or many models can be in the same Excel file, just as the first

    two sheets are used to BIM and FEM only. The users can easily

    modify numerical input and compare graphics from project to

    project.

›    allow the users to apply Excel sheets for other calculations, e.g.

    points of curved lines/surfaces which are linked to sheet1 for BIM

    model, or Eurocodes post processing for the FEM results. 

In terms of VDC the BIM model is connected to wearable holograms for HoloLens Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) headsets, and where the models are available in cloud-services for all involved parties.

Analysis

in ICDAS refers to two issues described in short below.

In terms of structural analysis it refers to FEM software such as LUSAS, ROBOT or StruSoft. Analysis model provides e.g. deformations and sectional forces for a construction for a given load or loading combination. As the results all dimensions of components of the construction are optimized and verified for a given code, e.g. Eurocodes.

In terms of VDC, the analysis refer to 4D- and 5D models for time- and price scheduling on each period during a project. Software such as Synchro (4D) and Sigma (5D) are used for these tasks. They provide in addition also quantity, project markup, conflict resolution, code checking, flow analysis, energy analysis or visualization. 4D- and 5D analyses apply Revit information model as input (or other BIM tools which export the model to IFC format).

For the structural analysis ICDAS focus on automation for the FEM model with:

› Geometry of the model as BIM information model

› FEM mesh, element properties, materials, coupling & support

   conditions.

› Load cases & loading combinations on the model.

Once the above automations executing on screen, the users can start the analysis work. LUSAS will display deformations in 3D cross section, from version 16 also in perspective view. Smart combinations of envelopes of load cases, and opposite, are the features that ICDAS choose LUSAS as default FEM tool. LUSAS is also easy to use for both of simple and advanced constructions.

For VDC 4D Time and 5D Cost analysis for bridges the users can self-develop the time- and price sheets in the existing Excel file. There are not many elements in bridge than in building as the wall, door, window, floor, roof are varying by level. For concrete bridges ICDAS has already taken the reinforcement quantities and concrete volumes in Revit model down to Excel file automatically.

Animation

 in an ICDAS project refers to two issues described in short below.

› Animation of landscape, terrain and 3D information model using 3ds

  Max, AutoCAD Civil 3D and Revit, respectively.

› Animation of 3D model in line with time scheduling and price as the

  construction is built in time function, using Synchro and Sigma,

  respectively.

For the landscape animation ICDAS provide guides for rendering’s parameters and animating camera motion in 3ds Max, and how to edit the move in highest quality of images.

System

in an ICDAS project refers to the following points as summary for the above mentioning concepts

› BIM-FEM integration

› AR and VR reality tools

› Design and Static Documentation

The two available workflows for BIM-FEM in ICDAS are

› to automate Revit (BIM) and LUSAS (FEM) models concurrently.

› to automate FEM model from existing BIM model, or opposite.

In both of workflows ICDAS focuses on digital tools for digital construction. With e.g. AR and VR tools (HoloLens and Headsets) the users can easily check any detail in the 3D construction in scale 1:1. The papers drawings for 2D dimensions are always available from the BIM model, which can be automated at any desired section.

Finally, System in ICDAS focusses also on Design and Static Documentation which are generated from FEM and BIM tools.

ICDAS

is a small team of structural engineers and .NET C# programmers with over 18 years' experience in our fields. Yet, our tool has been used in Ring 3 Light Rail project, Copenhagen Denmark 2016 for 3D Revit BIM geometry and a part of LUSAS FEM analyse. The Ring 3 is the biggest light rail project in Denmark, as well as in all the five Nordic countries (2016-2021). In April & December 2018 has ICDAS digitalized existing 2D drawings in Lusas FEM & Revit BIM model for the Limfjordstunnelens lifetime extension project from the Danish Road Directorate. The BIM model of total 945m length has been created in high-detailed 3D in Revit 2019 from which any existing drawing can be viewed  digitally in one Revit project file. The model can then be uploaded on cloud services for involved parties of the project, or to experience in Virtual Reality.