AnchorageToMasonry.xls
BeamToWall.xls
BearingWallOpening.xls
BendingPostAtTopWall.xls
CollectorToWall.xls
DevelopmentSpliceMasonry.xls
Elevator-DSA-OSHPD.xls
FlushWallPilaster-CBC.xls
FlushWallPilaster-IBC.xls
GirderAtWall.xls
HorizontalBendingWall.xls
MasonryBeam.xls
MasonryBearingWall-CBC.xls
MasonryBearingWall-IBC.xls
masonrycolumn-cbc.xls
masonrycolumn-ibc.xls
masonryshearwall-cbc.xls
MasonryShearWall-IBC.xls
Engineering spreadsheet environment and spreadsheet hosting application with embedded links to Robot Structural Analysis products, allowing users to integrate their spreadsheet applications and communicate with Robot Structural Analysis.
Spreadsheet Calculator consists of a set of simple and complex calculation schemas for many areas of structural engineering. It provides a practical representation of codes and standards that can be used when performing calculations as well as detailed formulas for specific engineering problems. You can create complex calculations by selecting simple problems.
You can also add custom calculations to the existing schemas or create new schemas using the Spreadsheet Calculator tools. This way you can build a library of custom applications. Parameters can be exchanged between schemas so the output of a given calculation can serve as the input for other calculations.
Spreadsheet Calculator program is an open system.
You can have an unlimited number of new schemas, codes, libraries, languages.
Because Spreadsheet Calculator is built on COM technology, you can exchange information among other programs and engineering tools.
Output from Spreadsheet Calculator can be read as input into the Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis program. There is no need to type the information.
You can generate structure models using the Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis program.
You can perform a detailed analysis of structure data.Calculations are presented as complete technical documents containing detailed formulas, code references, and drawings. A generalized schema of a library module as well as its graphical form is maintained for all engineering problems.
The USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) announced the availability of a new way to access and process lidar point cloud data from the 3DEP repository. 3DEP has been acquiring three-dimensional information across the United States using light detection and ranging (lidar) technology- an airborne laser-based remote sensing technology that collects billions of lidar returns while flying- and making results available to the public.
The USGS has been strategically focused on providing new mechanisms to access 3DEP data beyond simple downloads. With 3DEP’s adoption of cloud storage and computing, users now have the option to work with massive lidar point cloud datasets without having to download them to local machines.
Currently, there are over 1.77 million ASPRS LAS tiles compressed using the LASzip compression encoding in the us-west-2 region, which equates to over 12 trillion lidar point cloud records available from over 1,254 projects across the United States. This resource provides users a mechanism to retrieve and work with 3DEP data that is quicker than the free FTP download protocol.
“The 3D Elevation Program was founded on the concept that high-resolution elevation data should be provided unlicensed, free and open to the public,” explained Kevin Gallagher, Associate Director for USGS Core Science System. “This agreement with Amazon helps to fulfill that promise by providing cloud-access to the trillions of data points collected through the Program.
The democratization of elevation data is a tremendous achievement by the community of partners leading this effort and promises to revolutionize approaches to applications from flood forecasting and geologic assessments to precision agriculture and infrastructure development.”
Hobu, Inc. and the U.S Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) collaborated with the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Public Datasets team to organize these data as Entwine Point Tile (EPT) resources, which is a lossless, streamable octree based on LASzip (LAZ) encoding. The data are now part of the Open Data registry provided by AWS, similar to the Landsat archive.
US: Livox is shifting the marketplace for LiDAR sensors by introducing a reliable, compact, ready-to-use solution for innovators, professionals and engineers, around the world working closely with 3D sensing technology. After years of intense R&D and exhaustive testing, Livox has released three high-performance LiDAR sensors: The Mid-40/Mid-100, Horizon, and Tele-15. All sensors are developed with a wide range of different industry applications in mind, offering customers a best-in-class combination of precision, range, price and size.
As the first available Livox sensor, the Mid-40/Mid-100 sensor can accurately sense three-dimensional spatial information under various environmental conditions, and plays an indispensable role in fields such as autonomous driving, robotics, mapping, logistics, security, search and rescue, to name a few.
Low Cost and Mass Production
Traditionally, high-performance mechanical LiDAR products usually demand highly-skilled personnel and are therefore prohibitively expensive and in short supply. To encourage the adoption of LiDAR technology in a number of different industries ranging from 3D mapping and surveying to robotics and engineering, Livox Mid-40/Mid-100 is developed with cost-efficiency in mind while still maintaining superior performance.
Instead of using expensive laser emitters or immature MEMS scanners, Mid-40/Mid-100 adopts lower cost semiconductor components for light generation and detection. The entire optical system, including the scanning units, uses proven and readily available optical components such as those employed in the optical lens industry. This sensor also introduces a uniquely-designed low cost signal acquisition method to achieve superior performance. All these factors contribute to an accessible price point – $599 for a single unit of Mid-40.
Livox Mid-40/Mid-100 adopts a large aperture refractive scanning method that utilizes a coaxial design. This approach uses far fewer laser detector pairs, yet maintains the high point density and detection distances. This design dramatically reduces the difficulty of optical alignment during production and enable significant production yield increase.
Powerful and Compact
The Mid-40 sensor covers a circular FOV of 38.4 degrees with a detection range of up to 260 meters (for objects with reflectivity at 80%). Meanwhile, the Mid-100 combines three Mid-40 units internally to form an expansive horizontal FOV of 98.4 degrees (Horizontal) x 38.4 degrees (Vertical). The point rate for Mid-40 is 100,000 points/s while for Mid-100 is 300,000 points/s. The range precision (1σ @ 25 m) of each sensor is 2 cm and the angular accuracy is < 0.1 degrees.
Livox sensor’s advanced non-repetitive scanning patterns deliver highly-accurate details. These scanning patterns even provide high point density in a short period of time and can even build up a higher density as the duration increases. The Mid series can achieve the same or greater point density as conventional 32-line LiDAR sensors.
With this level of 3D sensing capability, Livox has optimized the hardware and mechanical design, so that a compact body of Mid sensors enables users to easily embed units into existing designs.
Reliable and Safe
All Livox LiDAR sensors are individually and thoroughly tested and are proved to work in a variety of environments. Every single unit has a false detection rate of less than one ten-thousandth, even in the 100 klx sunlight condition[3]. Each sensor’s laser power meets the requirements for a Class 1 laser product to IEC 60825-1(2014) and is safe for human eyes[4]. The Mid-40/Mid-100 operate in temperatures between -4 degrees F and 149 degrees F (-20 degrees C to 65 degrees C) and always reliably output point cloud data for objects with different reflectivity. Livox LiDAR does not use any moving electronic components, thus avoiding challenges such as slip ring failures, a common problem in conventional, rotating LiDAR units. Livox has also optimized the optoelectronic system, including software, firmware, and algorithms, enhancing environmental adaption in a wide variety of conditions including rain, smoke, and fog.
Livox Horizon and Tele-15
Beside Mid-40/Mid-100 sensors, Livox is currently working on extending its product portfolio with two additional LiDAR sensors, the Horizon and Tele-15.
The Livox Horizon is a high-performance LiDAR which offers a broader FOV with much higher coverage ratio while retaining all the key advantages of the Mid-40, such as long detection range, high precision, and a compact size. Compared with the Mid-40, the Horizon has a similar measuring range, but features a more-rectangular-shaped FOV that is 81.7 degrees horizontal and 25.1 degrees vertical, highly suitable for autonomous driving applications. The Horizon also delivers real-time point cloud data that is three times denser than the Mid series LiDAR sensors.
Made for advanced long-distance detection, the Livox Tele-15 offers the compact size, high-precision, and durability of the Mid-40 while vastly extending the real-time mapping range. This allows users to detect and avoid obstacles well in advance when moving at higher speeds.
As for the Tele-15, it features an ultra-long measuring range of 500 meters when reflectivity is at 80%. Even with 20% reflectivity, the measuring range is still up to 250 meters. In addition, the Tele-15 has a circular FOV of 15 degrees and delivers a point cloud that is 17 times denser than the Mid-40. These key features enable the Tele-15 to see objects far ahead with great details.
Livox Hub
The Livox Hub is a streamlined way to integrate and manage Livox LiDAR sensors and their data outputs. When using Livox Hub with our LiDAR SDK, you will have unified access to software and hardware, making the development process simplified and efficient. The Livox Hub can access up to 9 LiDAR sensors simultaneously and supports an input range of 10-23V.
Livox SDK
To release the unlimited potential of LiDAR, Livox SDK offers a wide range of essential tools that help users develop unique applications and algorithms. The Livox SDK supports various development platforms, such as C and C++ in Linux/Windows/ROS and applies to all existing products such as Livox Mid-40, Mid-100, Horizon, Tele-15, Hub.
Bentley Systems presented SYNCHRO XR, its app for immersively visualizing 4D construction digital twins with the new Microsoft HoloLens 2, which Microsoft announced during a press conference at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
Selected as a Microsoft mixed reality partner representing the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, Bentley demonstrated how with SYNCHRO XR for HoloLens 2, users can interact collaboratively with digital construction models using intuitive gestures to plan, visualize, and experience construction sequencing.
Project digital twin data is visualized with the HoloLens 2 via Bentley’s connected data environment, powered by Microsoft Azure. With the mixed reality solution, construction managers, project schedulers, owner-operators, and other project stakeholders can gain insights through immersive visualization into planned work, construction progress, potential site risks, and safety requirements. Additionally, users can interact with the model together and collaboratively experience 4D objects in space and time, as opposed to traditional interaction with a 2D screen depicting 3D objects.
Noah Eckhouse, senior vice president, project delivery for Bentley Systems, said, “Our SYNCHRO XR app for HoloLens 2 provides a totally new way to interact with digital twins for infrastructure projects. Users benefit from a new perspective on the design and a deeper, more immediate understanding of the work and project schedule. Instead of using a 2D screen with a mouse and keyboard, the user can now walk around the model with their body and reach out and grab digital objects that appear to co-occupy physical reality. This is a powerful way to review work that is completed and to prepare for upcoming work at the jobsite.”
Menno de Jonge, director of digital construction for the Royal BAM Group, said, “We are currently using SYNCHRO and HoloLens 2 mixed reality solution for the construction site for a large museum project in the city of Rotterdam. The real need for a digital transformation in our industry is about avoiding rework at our construction site. Using this technology, we can easily visualize the construction schedule. Then, we can see if we are behind in schedule, we can flag any potential problems or issues, look into the problems, and get back on track.”
Source: www.geospatialworld.net
Trimble has announced a new wearable hard hat compatible device that enables workers in safety-controlled environments to access holographic information on the worksite—the Trimble® XR10 with HoloLens 2.
In addition, an expanded set of Trimble software and services will be available to provide field-oriented workflows that leverage constructible 3D models and mixed reality to solve daily work tasks.
The announcement was made with Microsoft at MWC Barcelona (formerly Mobile World Congress), the largest mobile event in the world, bringing together the latest innovations and leading-edge technology.
The Trimble XR10 with HoloLens 2 is the first device created with the Microsoft HoloLens Customization Program and integrates the latest spatial computing technology into a certified solution for use with a hard hat for worker safety. With a wider field-of-view, improved usability and a unique, flip-up viewscreen, the Trimble XR10 with HoloLens 2 combines state-of-the-art mixed reality and safe operation in restricted access work areas.
The full solution provides even greater accessibility to 3D models by front-line workers. Field-oriented workflows enable broad adoption of mixed-reality for jobsite activities to improve efficiency, productivity and quality of work. Continued development of the cloud-based collaboration platform, Trimble Connect™ for HoloLens, is enabling workers in the field to get more value from constructible 3D models and transform daily work such as assembly and inspections.
“Microsoft has provided both the vision and execution needed to stay at the forefront of the mixed-reality evolution,” said Aviad Almagor, director of Trimble’s Mixed-Reality Program. “We’re excited to extend our collaboration with Microsoft in producing a safety-first mixed-reality solution that can be used in production environments such as construction, where workers are building, monitoring and inspecting products and services that deliver tangible value every day.”
“The ability to access and interact with holographic content has inspired new visualization, collaboration, and production workflows in enterprise markets,” said Alex Kipman, technical fellow, AI and Mixed Reality at Microsoft. “For people that spend their days on the work site, the Trimble XR10 with HoloLens 2 and Trimble’s portfolio of software unlocks the power of mixed-reality to help them get more work done.”
Source: www.geospatialworld.net
In recent decades, we have witnessed an intense progress of technology and computer applications. This progress is very noticeable in all aspects of the construction industry and especially in the development of BIM software. In
a recent market survey with the Virtual Construction Software
programming BIM 4D are reported as a huge support tool for all involved
in major construction projects: construction managers, prime contractors
and their customers.
In the small group of specialized software for programming BIM 4D, BEXEL Manager stands out for its unique features and capabilities directed toward management, programming (BIM 4D), cost estimation (BIM 5D) and even, facilities management (BIM 6D) of construction projects. I will try to briefly introduce its main features related to construction scheduling, which are a real game changer for future programming processes BIM construction.
Traditional
programming process begins when planners and project managers often
create construction schedules containing thousands of tasks to the level
of each work item. Sort
these tasks, connect and create dependencies and relationships
allocation and balance a lot of resources can be extremely challenging
and slow, even for more experienced managers project.
The main objective of the program is to improve 4D BIM planning processes and communication between all parties involved, allowing all participants to visually provide the entire process of building a very understandable and natural. Visual real-time simulations revolutionize complete planning processes, leveling traditional Gantt planning a 4D virtual presentation of the whole project implementation on the screen long before you start building.
The obvious and most significant benefits of BIM 4D programming process are:
Programming processes and estimation based on the model help the entire team to identify and optimize every detail designed. The
efficiency and accuracy of visualization created BIM 4D allows experts
project to identify and mitigate risk in the initial stages of the
project, long before its construction. It
also allows planning teams run different scenarios built to generate
the best possible solutions while verifying their impact on costs. All schedule changes and variations made the Gantt chart are immediately updated and viewed in 3D view programming.
Today,
many software solutions are advertised or used incorrectly as “4D BIM
software,” however, there is a clear and obvious difference between
viewing BIM 4D and 4D BIM software programming. The “4D BIM software” in general, can produce virtual construction simulation (visualization of construction process).
However,
4D BIM software programming as BEXEL Manager allows users to view the
construction process and also virtually plan (create schedule)
construction project. Our
programming software BIM 4D allows you to create and change tasks /
planned activities, change their duration and predecessor / successor
tasks as well as optimize and validate the sequence of these activities,
all within the software itself, while almost simultaneously, has
updated the display changes in the view of 3D programming software.
On the other hand, the scheduling engine BEXEL Manager implements advanced programming algorithms, specially designed to provide the functionality to create fully automated construction schedules, simplifying manual sequencing unpleasant 4D. That’s where the real power of BEXEL Manager.
Unlike other solutions BIM 4D market, where it is necessary to create the schedule activities manually or semi-automatically depending on the elements of the BIM model available, our complete solution BIM 4D-5D-6D uses a visionary concept that allows planners and managers to easily apply their engineering experience.Its engine unique and intelligent programming allows the creation of construction methods and construction activity groups such as planners think and anticipate the processes running on your mind. Similarly, groups can be created different levels of activities of tasks based on the phases of construction, buildings, activities and anticipated elements. The next step is to create logical relationships and dependencies of these groups of activities and methodologies. In the same way most experts are accustomed to the softwares traditional programming, here you can select types of relationships between elements (for example, from end to beginning from start to start, end to end, etc.) and the duration or delay the created relationship.
Additionally,
the next logical step in the process construction management BIM is
assigned labor, equipment, material resources and costs to tasks and
reach the next dimension BIM, ie 5D. Our
solution allows multiple custom implement cost classification systems
for different versions of costs within the same model, this is feasible
in the BIM 5D Cost module named Editor (Editor Cost).
In addition, the user can manage, view and export graphs and reports cost, labor, materials and equipment. Keep track of planned and actual costs, and once construction begins, track and update progress on schedule, and analyze actual versus planned progress, hypothetical scenarios and mitigation strategies.It is very valuable that a user is enabled to handle and manage practically all dimensions BIM (3D, 4D, 5D and 6D) within an integrated software platform.
In
addition, all created methodologies are saved in the software so that
the user can store multiple templates to automatically create schedules
using pre-defined methodologies and their variations. Once
created the methodology of construction, scheduling engine CPM
(Critical Path Method) with all its features, is used to find an optimal
solution in terms of cost and minimum construction time and the balance
of resources, providing fully detailed construction schedules in
seconds, even for the most complex projects containing thousands of
tasks and respective elements. All methodologies and previously saved templates can be reused for any other similar project,
BIM 4D initial schedules generated automatically and can be tuned further by the user by placing a specific order of steps and activities with BIM model elements linked in temporal and spatial sense.
The amounts of resources can also be defined and modified for any task or phase subcontractor company. A user can change and improve visual sequences built using custom color schemes for items, tasks and resources. Changes can be made and additional exceptions by implementing custom calendars for tasks and subcontractors.
Management,
optimization and classification of a lot of work by any standard model
are extremely easy and intuitive programming using built-in filters.Planning
teams can also compare visually and within the Gantt chart, different
versions of the schedule and planning methodologies directly in the
solution, easily switching between different versions cost for any of
the scheduling options.
Finally, the duration of the entire activity of a task can be changed manually, before finalizing the schedule BIM 4D and video simulation construction. All programs created can be exported from BEXEL Manager to traditional software programming and most commonly used, such as Oracle Primavera or Microsoft Project ™ ™ or Microsoft Excel ™. All activities, durations, links and dependencies of the schedule originally created in BEXEL Manager will be retained and stored in the exported files, enabling seamless interoperability.
Mentioning
interoperability, taking into account that the solution also allows the
import of schedules traditionally derived from the aforementioned
programming tools. As all tasks, duration, links and dependencies created originally explained also they are kept in BEXEL Manager.
Unlike most software BIM 4D market, where the process of linking programming tasks imported with the respective elements of the model is mostly done manually, BEXEL Manager uses an intelligent engine for semiautomatic linking elements activities using predefined rules, name / identification of activities and level of hierarchy. With comfortable views of each set of selection of model elements and cross-checking with categories, families, properties of each element, and improved search capabilities based on their properties and other criteria, bind errors are eliminated almost completely.
Once
programming is imported, you can make additional adjustments,
modifications and verification tasks within the Schedule Editor (Editor
Programming) of BEXEL Manager. When
all activities are linked, the software generates a video simulation of
4D construction, suitable for real-time review by project stakeholders.
The created virtual simulation of 4D construction can also be exported as a video file.
Once
all stakeholders, mainly planners and project managers embrace the full
potential and benefits of smart processes 4D programming, the entire
industry will benefit and evolve, leading to a very accessible and
tangible future of building BIM, where the 3D parametric design,
construction simulations in real time and exchange of information are
part of impeccable business every day.
By: Mileta Pejovic, BEXEL Consulting
Once all stakeholders, mainly planners and project managers embrace the full potential and benefits of smart processes 4D programming, the entire industry will benefit and evolve, leading to a very accessible and tangible future of building BIM, where the 3D parametric design, construction simulations in real time and exchange of information are part of impeccable business every day.
By: Mileta Pejovic, BEXEL Consulting
Source : www.bimcommunity.com
Tekla Structures is one of the most capable and advanced software in this field, but on the other hand, that makes it also a little more complicated because it has more tools, settings, possibilities, and opportunities for customization. Very much like with any other software, it`s possible to learn Tekla by yourself.
A knitted structure capable of supporting five tonnes of concrete? This is the insane project of the inventors behind Knitted Concrete technology.
As part of their research into digital fabrication, Mariana Popescu and Lex Reiter, both researchers at the ETH Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, have produced a 3D textile structure using a computerised rectilinear knitting machine.
This new technology is being used on an architectural scale for the first time in a prototype being shown at an exhibition in Mexico. A five-tonne concrete structure, which has been poured onto knitted textile formwork, supported by a steel cable net. This prototype, known as KnitCandela, pays homage to Spanish-Mexican architect Félix Candela (1910-1997).
KnitCandela, a prototype of a five-tonne concrete structure, which has been poured onto knitted textile formwork.
The formwork was created from a digitally generated pattern, then knitted on a rectilinear machine. In 36 hours, the machine knits a fully shaped 3D textile consisting of four long strips.
The textile is also double layered. The first internal layer is an aesthetic surface with a colourful pattern, forming the visible ceiling within the structure. The second outer layer contains sleeves for the cables of the formwork system and pockets for balloons which, after the entire structure is coated in concrete, become hollow spaces.
There are multiple advantages to using this technology, such as saving on time, cost and materials, reduced waste, etc. The Knitted Concrete process has great potential for use in creating geometrically complex structures of this kind.
Philippe Block, Professor of Architecture and Structure at ETH Zurich, who also worked on the project, explains that the method could be a new form of 3D printing, “only it doesn’t require a completely new kind of machine. A conventional knitting machine will do just fine!”
Source: blog.bouygues-construction.com
