Being different from my other blog posts, this particular article will be a walkthrough of the engineering tools which I created and used to optimize the time.
As you might be aware, that I am proficient with Excel VBA and C# programming (which I learned very recently, and anyone with mere consistency could learn the same from free sources available through the internet within months).
I mostly use VBA to create my excel tools as it is handy. If you are a practicing steel design engineer and would like to learn programming to optimize your workflow. Do leave a comment or get to me through my YouTube channel, so that I might provide the necessary guidance for you to learn and work effectively.
The mere purpose of this post is to show, how very little knowledge in basic programming could benefit US (the structural engineers). Also, this post might help to get an idea of how we can leverage the power of automation to our benefit.
The Excel Tools that I prepared are as follows. (These are not some fancy programs that would ease 90% of your work. But these are very tiny tools, that might optimize 20% of your time)
1. Slope Correction Program
2. Wind Load Application Program
3. Iterative Joist Design Engine
4. 3D STAAD Frame Generator
5. Steel BOM Extractor
And before describing the working of the programs mentioned above. If you guys could come up with any better ideas or suggestions on these tools. I would be happy to implement those changes and it is going to benefit me after all.
1. Slope Correction Program
You would have already seen the demonstration of this particular tool from my YouTube Channel, if not I would leave a link below. Kindly go through it. This is not a simple excel tool, it is an interactive program that uses OpenSTAAD functions and helps the designer, and saves a lot of time.
2. Wind Load Application Program
A demonstration of this program is also available on my YouTube Channel and I am leaving a link below for access. This program makes use of OpenSTAAD functions to apply load on the A-type frames automatically. This can be a handy tool when you are about to apply a wind load for a 3D model with different bay spacings.
3. Iterative Joist Design Engine
The joist design engine is a program that I created to automate the complete process of designing a simply supported beam in STAAD. Based on the range of values specified, the program will create a STAAD model, then apply load to the beam and design the beam and get the results. This process will be repeated until all the possible sections in our initially specified range are checked.
After which, based on the section report, the lightest section will be reported. This all will take place within a minute. The demonstration video link is provided below.
4. 3D STAAD Frame Generator
This is one of the important programs, which would completely automate the process of creating a 3D STAAD model from the minimum inputs within a click. This is actually an extended version of a 2D frame generator that would completely model, apply loads, and design parameters by itself.
5. Steel BOM Extractor
Steel BOM Extractor is one of the most useful tools for the current scenario, as steel prices are going up day by day, the contractors and fabricators are in the utmost need to purchase the materials at the earliest. This particular tool will directly extract the plate weights from the 3D or 2D STAAD model, which the in-built STAAD operations could not perform. A demonstration of the tool is provided below.
These are some automation tools that actually make my workflow better and easier. With very little knowledge and some awesome idea, anyone can create such optimization tools. Looking forward to hearing out from my readers, regarding their ideas or viewpoint on the above-mentioned tools.
Also, for those who are interested to learn about OpenSTAAD, I am covering the majority of the topics in my YouTube channel playlist named “Mastering OpenSTAAD“. Kindly check it out.
Hello Sir,
I am watching your videos related to automation and steel structure since last month’s, I very inspired from the knowledge you were delivered to the society,
Sir last year I was completed my Graduation
and from the last year I am practicing in a Structure Consultant.
Sir I really want to learn, Please guide.