Today we are summarising www.StruCompare.com, a platform that allows building designers to quickly generate preliminary structural designs for their projects in a web browser.
Here’s a breakdown of the process:
- Import Architectural Plans: Start by importing architectural plans and an outline of the frame onto the platform.
- Generate Initial Design: The platform automatically generates a preliminary structural design, including framing layouts, beam sizes, material volumes and sections.
- Refine Design: The designer can refine the design by:
- Dragging Columns: Use the mouse to move columns into alternative locations.
- Modifying Spans: Adjusting the maximum primary and secondary spans to optimize framing depth.
- Changing Materials: Experimenting with different materials like glue-laminated timber to reduce framing depth.
- Adjusting Loading: Changing the loading type (e.g., from residential floor to flat roof) to reflect the actual building conditions.
Benefits of using Strucompare.com:
- Speed and Efficiency: Quickly generate preliminary designs and explore different options.
- Design Optimization: Explore design variations to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
- Improved Communication: Use the generated designs as a starting point for discussions with engineers.
- Cost Estimation: Get an initial understanding of material costs.
Overall: StruCompare offers a valuable tool for building designers and architects to streamline the early stages of structural design, allowing them to make more informed decisions and potentially reduce project costs.
Structured Parametrics 