 |
Introduction |
|
The Overview of IFC |
|
Why IFC ? |
|
IFC ST-4 |
|
TEKLA & IFC |
|
Test Case Files |
|
Links |
|
Contact |
|
This website describes the Tekla IFC translator development project at College of Architecture, Georgia Tech. The project aims to develop the modules for exporting and importing structural analysis data in IFC for Tekla structures¢ç. This project began in August 2004 and will be completed at the end of 2005. This website briefly describes what IFC is and why we use IFC instead of other data models or formats. It also describes the IFC structural analysis model (IFC ST-4) and details on this project and provides test case files. IFC is one of the standard building product models that cover the whole gamut of information generated, used, and modified through a life cycle of a building. The goals and the status of IFC are well described in the following two excerpts from a "Short History of the IAI and the IFC Information Model" by IAI. ¡°In August 1994, 12 US based companies joined together to examine the potential for making different software applications work together. Basing their efforts around the then newly developed ARX development system for AutoCAD Release 13, they felt that there was significant economic benefit to be gained from this interoperability of software if only it could be shown to work.¡± "So, in October 1995, they established the industry alliance for interoperability (IAI) in North America and IAI developed a neutral building information model named IFC(International foundation class). It has been developing continuously since 1997 when the first version of IFC was released. And now IFC 2x2 addendum1 which contain a structural analysis model is released." *The IFC2x2 addendum 1 was released on November 1st 2004. Why do we use IFC instead of other de facto standard data formats such as DXF or DWG? The scope of DXF and DWG is limited to the geometry data. IFC is different from them in that it includes not only the geometry data but also the other types of data such as material inforamtion, change mangement information, structural analysis information, and so forth. 4. IFC ST-4: Structural analysis model IFC ST-4 is an extension of structural analysis and steel construction to the IFC 2x. "A major objective of IFC ST-4 is to tightly integrate the structural engineering domain into the information management process." So it is intended to reuse already existing building data for making relations with structural data and "it can capture important decisions of the structural engineer and make theses visible to other related domains (http://cib.bau.tu-dresden.de/icss/structural-papers/meetings/structural_papers.html )." 5. TEKLA IFC Export and Import module The ultimate
goal of this project is to design and implement software for
import and export of the IFC data model to/from the Tekla
Structures¢ç. It is initially targeted to support
structural analysis workflow cases, then optionally other cases.
As like following a Figure 1. Structural design is also an iterative
process like other design process. so the capability of data
exchanges with different application is also critical issue
in structural design. So, this project is composed of three phases: Phase 1 (Jul - Sep, 2004): Inforamtion flow, use-cases, and requiremenst analysis The goals of this phase were to specify possible use cases and flow of structural analysis information between Tekla Structures and other systems and also to map Tekla Structures analysis data and IFC2x2 ST-4 Structural Analysis Domain. Phase 2 (Oct, 2004 - Jan, 2005): Development of the export module The export module sends out a structural analysis model (nodes and elements), section profiles, boundary conditions, three types of (point, linear, and planar) loads, load groups / combinations, materials, and so on. The currently developed Tekla-IFC Export module can export a structural analysis model composed of structural members with various material types (e.g., steel, concrete). Phase 3 (Feb - June, 2005): Development of the import module For the import module, the IFC translator will be able to read in structural analysis results from targeted structural analysis systems. The structural steel will be the main target application areas of this project. Any structural analysis package developers, who are interested in developing an IFC translator for structural analysis data exchange, are welcome to download and use the test cases below. (Disclaimer: The risk of any or all damage or loss from use of these test cases rests with you as the user.)
Chuck
Eastman,
chuck.eastman@arch.gatech.edu Ghang Lee, ghang.lee@arch.gatech.edu Jae-min
Lee, gtg119j@mail.gatech.edu
|
Figure 1 Overview of
a general steel structure design process 
