Effektivisering av projektering för betonggrundläggning : Automation m.h.a. Python, FEM–Design och Revit

Sammanfattning

The automation of workflows has become increasingly relevant for construction consultants. Initially, scripting focused on automating minor aspects of an engineers’ daily tasks. The next stage in this development involved automating repetitive and geometrically simple structural designs. This study investigates the feasibility of such a program by making a script for a concrete slab on ground. The slab is analyzed using FEM-Design and modeled in Revit, with Python serving as the shared programming language. This work is designed to be extendable to additional foundation cases, while simultaneously highlighting the possibilities and difficulties in such an undertaking.The study aims to assess the feasibility of automation as well as its inherent limitations. The scope is confined to a specific case study with fixed values for concrete quality, steel grade, insulation thickness, and material properties, as well as ground conditions suitable for a slab on ground without considering deep foundations. Furthermore, the focus is placed on developing a functional prototype, avoiding extensive optimization and alternative design choices. Aswell as alternative programming languages, APIs, or software beyond Python, struXML files, and fdscript files for the interaction with FEM-Design. For Revit, only pyRevit in combination with IPython is utilized.No limitations were encountered in the reading of data, with either CSV or XML formats. However, a few constraints emerged in the use of struXML and fdscript as APIs for FEM-Design. It is not currently possible to define Geo-technical load cases, punching shear zones, or vertical offset for centric reinforcement in FEM-Design 23. Additional issues were identified in FEM-Design 23 regarding centric reinforcement in combination with top or bottom reinforcement. Moreover, overlapping concrete slabs are not supported in FEM-Design, necessitating that the thicker sections of the slab are implemented as beams. Which in turn require shear reinforcement for validation within FEM-Design. Difficulties to pass the bearing capacity verification was found for cases where edge beams or thickened sections of the slab intersect.For the modeling of the concrete slab, RevitAPI was accessed through pyRevit, which uses IPython for code execution. The use of IPython necessitated modified syntax compared to standard Python and complications when using loaded libraries. While no hard limitations were identified in the use of the RevitAPI, difficulties arose in modifying thickness values due to read-only permissions. Additionally, difficulties were encountered when trying to change concrete cover parametrically, which was solved by changing the geometry.The concept of automated workflows could be used for other types of structures or developed further for more foundation types. Alternatively different programs could be used to evaluate the possibilities that exists within the domain of structural engineering.