Generating the columns of the BIM model
The 2018.i version of CYPECAD includes the automatic generation of concrete columns based on the columns of the BIM model. The program will generate a rectangular or circular concrete column of the same size and at the same position for each column that has been defined in the BIM model.
To do so, the assistant that is activated when a project is created from a BIM model, contains the new stage “Columns”. In this stage, users can select the columns that are to be generated depending on their material. The assistant generates the columns with the same reference they have in the BIM model or with an automatic reference. In this stage, users can also select the type of support (with or without external fixity) columns starting at the first level will have. Columns starting on higher floors will be generated without external fixity.
The fixed point of the column will also be generated in accordance with the fixed point of the column of the BIM model.
Updating the columns of the BIM model
When users decide to update the BIM model with the changes the architectural model may contain, any columns that have been generated previously will not be modified. Neither will their position be changed nor will they be deleted nor new columns added, even though these changes have occurred in the BIM model. What is updated is the template of the BIM model and it is up to users to decide what to do when a column has been moved, deleted or introduced, as this affects intersections with the beams, columns and floor slabs that have already been introduced in CYPECAD.
In the previous version (2018.h), the way CYPECAD acts when a column is added or an existing column is moved was modified. As of this version, CYPECAD does not automatically recreate column-beam intersections and users can choose to recreate the intersections manually or have the program recreate them automatically for a floor using the “Reload group” option.
New column (BIM)
To be able to introduce a column that interprets another column of the BIM model that was not present when the connection of the CYPECAD project to the BIM model was launched (after the first import), the tool, “New column (BIM)” has been implemented. When this option is selected, the outlines of all the columns of the BIM model will appear. Then, if we click on one of these outlines, a column will be generated with the same dimensions as the column of the BIM model on each floor.
Users must bear in mind that including a new column may interfere with beams that are already present in floors of the CYPECAD project. Nonetheless, how the program behaves, regarding the automatic adjustment of beams, when a new column is introduced or an existing one is moved, was modified in the previous version of CYPECAD (2018.h). As of that version, the program does not automatically recreate column-beam intersections. Users can recreate them manually or use the “Reload group” option (“Beam Definition” tab > “Groups” menu) to recreate them automatically in the current floor group.
