StruCad - an Overview
What it is, and what it does
What is StruCad?
StruCad is an interactive 3-D solid modelling system that is used to detail structural steelwork, and then to automatically produce all the drawings, fabrication and management information required. The basic components of StruCad are illustrated here. StruCad consists of a family of products that work together, and the relationships between these products are illustrated in the diagram above as well.
Using StruCad
Using the StruCad software, the draughtsman constructs a 3-D wireframe model of a steel structure, incorporating specific types of standard members, either straight or curved.
Connections between members in the structure are then selected from a comprehensive library of standard end connections. This library contains most of the connections used in the construction of commercial and industrial buildings and sheds, and it provides end plates, cleats, fin plates, extended and haunched moment connections, gusseted bracing, fully welded connections, and all types of cold rolled connections. Many of these connection types feature full-strength design calculations according to BS5950, Eurocode 3 or AISC standards. The user assigns these connections directly to the wireframe model, together with any appropriate design loads, and StruCad automatically makes the connection when the structure is modelled.
Multi-member assemblies can also be created for items such as trusses. StruCad makes the necessary adjustments to component lengths for cambering, and automatically generates all other necessary information.
The Modelling Processes
StruCad then processes the wireframe model into a full 3-D solid model of all the steelwork, including detailed fittings and bolts, and you can display any members and/or joints in solid form whenever you like.
Subsequently, the draughtsman can select a joint for modelling in order to interactively create or modify any connection detail in 3-D. The combination of using the standard connection macros described above, together with interactive modelling, provides the StruCad user with a tool capable of detailing virtually any type of structural steelwork.
In addition, the allocation of special User Attributes to members allows non-geometric information to be handled in the model. This means that aspects such as phasing, special finishes, etc, and a selection of additional notes, can be allocated to particular members, and outputs produced reflecting these.
The three-dimensional model of the entire steel structure is represented in a StruCad model database. You can now use StruCad Walker to view and examine a rendered solid version of part or all of the structure as though flying round and through it. StruCad can also analyse the structure in order to detect clashing steel and lack of access to bolts. In effect, the structure can be built in the computer, and then checked by both StruCad and the user prior to manufacture and erection, so avoiding expensive errors and delays later on.
Producing Drawings, Material Lists and CNC Data from the Model
Once a StruCad solid model has been established, the user can produce all the drawings (ie fabrication details, fitting details, general arrangements, 3-D hidden line views, full size templates, etc), together with the material lists and bolt lists, completely automatically. For subsequent changes, StruCad incorporates a formal revision control system. In addition, StruCad can also "download" data directly to CNC fabricating machinery for sawing, drilling, punching, burning, and notching.
For further details, see Chapter 1 of the StruCad Reference Manual for the 3D Modelling Environment.