Interoperability
Contents
IFC Export improvements
The FEM-Design 24 software enables all objects modelled and designed in FEM-Design to be exported and accessed by IFC-compatible software. The following sections introduce the objects that can now be exported, as compared to previous versions of FEM-Design.
Note: It is worth noting that the Save as command exports all elements of the current project, while the Export to IFC command exports only the selected objects, based on the IFC export settings. In these settings, the export of certain specialized design objects can be adjusted.
Structural components
All structural accessory components available and applicable in FEM-Design (found under the Bar component and Shell component icon groups) can be exported.
- Bars with Intermediate sections
- Bars with Haunches
- Bars with Apex
- Corbels
- Post-tensioned cables: The inclusion or exclusion of Post-tensioned cable objects (placed in shells and bars) in the export can be controlled through a dedicated option in the IFC export settings that appear during the export process. During export, in addition to the cable geometry, the type, material, and number of strands within the cables are also included.
Profiled panels
For profiled hollow-core slab and wall elements, the type of objects to be exported can be specified at IFC export settings to align with how IFC-compatible modelling software will handle them:
- Export of profiled beams/columns with precise geometry per panel (using the IfcBeam/IfcColumn entity), which are generally editable and modifiable by the receiving software.
- Export of slab/wall with precise geometry (using the IfcSlab/IfcWall entity), which are typically viewable as references only.
- Export of a simplified representation of slab/wall without cuts or hollow sections, providing an editable and modifiable bounding shape (using the IfcSlab/IfcWall (simplified) entity).
Steel Bar-Shell model objects
FEM-Design allows steel bar structural elements to be modelled and analysed as 3D shell-based objects. In this approach, structural elements can be extended with ribs, plates, and openings to simulate more realistic behaviours.
From now on, shell models converted from steel bars and developed in detail are also exported to IFC. The shell components are exported as IfcPlate entities, categorized with their thickness and material properties.
Steel joints
Steel joints created with the FEM-Design can now be exported via IFC models. The export function supports all steel joint types (approximately 50 types) and their components, including standard and anchor bolts, end/cover/splice/gusset/stiffener plates, and haunch components. Welding information is also associated with the relevant steel objects.
The properties saved with each component include key design dimensions, materials, and the connection type name as used in FEM-Design (e.g., “KN3” = knee, 3rd type). The property set name that collects these properties also includes the FEM-Design identifier for the specific connection (e.g., “SJ.30”).
The inclusion or exclusion of Steel joint components in the export can be controlled through a dedicated option in the IFC export settings that appear during the export process. When the export option is enabled, using the Save as command will export all steel joint components in the project. However, since the Export to IFC command exports only selected target objects, we need to select the specific steel joints we wish to export. To make this selection, ensure that the “Steel joints, symbol” object layer is visible.
IFC Import improvements
When importing IFC models from other disciplines or engineering fields, it is crucial to transparently and comprehensively import only the data that is relevant and essential for analysis and design. To facilitate this, the import process enables multi-level, step-by-step model filtering, as well as the option to import complex or unique geometries as either analysis or reference objects.
Step-by-step model filtering
The structure of the IFC import settings dialog has been redesigned to support real-time, multi-level model filtering based on a logical, sequential hierarchy. These hierarchical levels, in execution order, are:
- Project hierarchy (Site > Building > Storey)
- Layer
- IFC entity type
The execution order means that, for example, if in the first step we select only a specific Storey for import, then in the second step, only Layers associated with that Storey will be available for selection; similarly, in the third step, only IFC entity types located on the selected Layers will be selectable.
The following figure provides an example of how to filter the set of elements to be imported, narrowing it down to slabs and walls located on the “Structural - Slab” and “Structural - Wall” layers of the first floor, with the objective of converting them to shell objects (Plates and Walls).
Due to the logical sequence of import steps, in steps 4 and 5 we only need to map IFC material and cross-section data to FEM-Design data for the filtered elements. This eliminates unnecessary data mapping, allowing us to focus solely on the currently available, filtered set of elements. (As shown in the following figure, section mapping is required for bar elements but not for slab and wall elements.)
Support of special geometries
IFC model elements from various software can be represented with a range of geometric methods, depending on their modelling and export capabilities. FEM-Design is designed to process all incoming geometries and convert them into analysis or reference objects, ensuring compatibility. In FEM-Design 24, the range of supported geometries for meaningful import has been expanded (see the next figure).
IFC General features
Model positioning
In bi-directional, BIM-based coordination and model federation within a shared project, the accurate positioning of incoming and outgoing models is critical. For analysis and design workflows, engineers generally prefer working close to the origin and aligned with the global coordinate system. With FEM-Design’s two import settings, models positioned far from the origin or with arbitrary orientations can be quickly adjusted to the origin and in parallel with the global axes.
Since these import settings allow us to reposition and rotate incoming BIM models as needed, maintaining bidirectional communication requires re-transforming the exported models back to their original IFC positions. FEM-Design 24 now provides an export option that enables this functionality.
The following figure illustrates how FEM-Design’s well-designed import and export functions support the management of incoming and outgoing model elements, enabling their integration or comparison within a common project coordinate system on external BIM platforms.
Allplan Connection improvements
The latest version of the FEM-Design - Allplan Connection Add-On (detailed description available here) introduces numerous new features to facilitate, streamline, and significantly accelerate the tasks of detailed reinforcement editing and documentation within the Nemetschek Allplan modelling software, starting from reinforcement designed in FEM-Design.
Standard-driven automatic geometry editing
A variety of automated tools edit and enhance the simplified 3D reinforcement objects imported from FEM-Design, transforming them into fully documentable reinforcement elements that meet the standards applied in Allplan projects and appear as though they were natively created within Allplan.
List of new automation Add-On features:
- Mesh cuttings and rebar overlapping based on the allowed starting and maximum bar lengths
- Automatic hooking of stirrups
- Automatic bending roller radius setup
- Automatic anchorage length setup for concrete bars
- Automatic rebar overhanging with cranks at column ends (where overhang is allowed)
- Automatic bar spacing adjustment for identical regions to prevent overlap
The “Auto” value available for each parameter means that the Add-On automatically sets their value based on the Reinforcement Standard applied in the current Allplan project (e.g. the hook length values are the prescribed multiple of the imported bar diameter).
If area reinforcement regions with identical external contours have rebars oriented in the same direction and planar position, and with the same spacing, then the distribution of bars within each region will automatically adjust relative to one another, ensuring equal spacing between resulting bars (halving, thirding, … the bar distances). Thus, in this specific scenario, the overlapping and obscuring of bars are avoided.
For automatic rebar overhanging with cranks at column ends, the crank directions and sizes can be set manually.
New placement methods
When importing FEM-Design reinforcement, individual Allplan drawings or layers can be assigned to various reinforcement types and positions. The following placement methods are available:
- Applying different Drawing files places FEM-Design 3D reinforcement objects separately by type (bar/area/unique area/shear area/punching), by position (bottom/middle/top) and/or by direction (x’/y’).
- Applying one Drawing file places all FEM-Design 3D reinforcement objects on one Drawing file with a given ID, and optionally on Allplan’s default layer structure based on their types, positions and directions (e.g. Area reinforcement, bottom x’ goes to layer numbered “3842”).
