Workflow utilizing the Single Point of Truth concept for connection design in steel truss bridges: from industry solutions overview to database and workflow prototyping

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

URL

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Insinööritieteiden korkeakoulu | Master's thesis

Date

2024-08-19

Department

Major/Subject

Structural and Computational Mechanics and Engineering

Mcode

Degree programme

Master's Programme in Building Technology (CIV)

Language

en

Pages

104

Series

Abstract

The majority of modern design methods require a significant number of calculation procedures, different models, and in turn, a large amount of data processed. The Single Point of Truth (SPOT) concept is one of the approaches helping with data management by introducing a central database and an automated workflow into the design practice. While the general BIM and global FEM parts of a workflow are usually the most developed, the detailing of their local features is often left behind the scope. The goal of the thesis is to propose a software-neutral methodology for automated connection design in steel truss bridges, potentially generalizable for other steel structures. To gain the latest industry developments on the topic, five existing industry solutions are considered: IDEA StatiCa open model (IOM), Structural Analysis Format (SAF), Industry Foundation Classes (IFC), The Buildings and Habitats object Model (BHoM), and Speckle. Since none of them have a ready-made workflow and a comprehensive object model for the goals of the thesis, custom workflow and database prototyping are accomplished. The database is defined from the general content, theoretical object model and BHoM-based implementation standpoints. After formulating the theoretical data flow, the algorithms are developed for inter-process data transfer. The theoretical form of the developed workflow is tested on a case study century-old steel truss bridge. During the test, a BHoM-based software-neutral object model along with IDEA StatiCa (FEM) and Tekla (BIM) local models are created for one non-standard connection. The developed methodology proved to be applicable in practice. Limitations observed in the case study are formulated as further development tasks.

Description

Supervisor

Niiranen, Jarkko

Thesis advisor

LeCoultre, Sean

Keywords

Single Point of Truth, steel truss bridge, connection design, workflow and data flow, database, object model

Other note

Citation