CYPECAD

Since the possibility of connecting to a BIM model from CYPECAD was implemented in the 2018.c version, the program could obtain two types of templates from the BIM model:

• The DXF or DWG templates associated with the BIM model. Furthermore, when a BIM project is launched from IFC Builder, users can automatically export a template in DXF format with the outline of each floor.
  
• The templates of the “BIM model” that display the outlines of the floor slabs and outlines of the columns. These are updated when the BIM model is updated if the initial model has any changes.
  

The views of the DXF/DWG templates (including those IFC Builder may generate in the BIM model) can be managed from the “View selection” dialogue box.

As of the 2018.i version, another section appears in the same dialogue box in which users can also manage the templates of the BIM model. The templates of the BIM model will be shown in magenta when they are generated for the first time (validated outlines). When the BIM model is updated, new outlines or outlines that have undergone any changes will be displayed in cyan (Outlines not validated). In the “View selection” dialogue box, users can mark “Outlines not validated” outlines of the BIM model (cyan) as “Validated outlines” (magenta).

With this improvement, the outlines before the update can be clearly distinguished from the new outlines and so graphically appreciate the changes the architectural model has undergone.

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.

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.