Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional
Comprehensive analysis for your structural projects.
Integrated Structural Analysis Made Easier
Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional software complements building information modeling (BIM) with coordinated digital analysis and design.
Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional software is a collaborative, versatile, and faster software application that can help you compete and win in the global economy. Purpose-built for BIM, Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional calculates even your more complex models with powerful finite element auto-meshing, nonlinear algorithms, and a comprehensive collection of design codes to help you achieve results in minutes, not hours. Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional offers a smoother, collaborative workflow and interoperability with 3D bidirectional links to Autodesk companion products. The open API (application programming interface) helps to provide a scalable, country-specific analysis solution for large and complex building structures.
Modeling in Autodesk Revit Structure
Structural Analysis in Robot Structural Analysis
Subscription Benefit As an exclusive Subscription benefit, Robot Extensions for Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional software extend the capabilities of Autodesk structural analysis tools, providing structural engineers with even more flexibility to achieve their results. Simple tools are available that enable users to extract a large range of data from Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional, and no special programming experience is required.
Bidirectional Links with Autodesk Revit Structure Experience the powerful bidirectional integration of Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional and Autodesk Revit Structure software. More smoothly import and export structural models between the two applications by using the Autodesk Revit Extensions analysis link. Bidirectional linking enables more accurate structural analysis and design results to be updated throughout the building information model for coordinated construction documentation.
Shop Drawings Created with AutoCAD Structural Detailing
From Analysis to Fabrication Drawings Structural engineers using Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional can benefit from the ability to more smoothly transfer select design data to AutoCAD Structural Detailing software, providing an integrated workflow from analysis through design to final project documentation and structural drawings.
Faster Simulation and Calculations of Complex Structures
Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional software utilizes state-of-the-art finite element auto-meshing capabilities.
We are very pleased with Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional, which combines powerful advanced analysis capabilities with the multimaterial design expertise in one structural software package. Without a doubt, this solution helps us better respond to our clients challenges and also stay more competitive.
avid Monti D Principal, Structural Engineer GP Structures
Modeling, Analysis, and Design While Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional can enable users to analyze a wide range of structures, the software includes features specifically created for the modeling, analysis, and design of buildings. The building design layout includes floor plane views to more easily create columns and generate beam framing layouts. Engineers can use tools to efficiently add, copy, remove, and edit geometry for similar building stories.
Analysis Capabilities Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional is a powerful, easier-to-use, and efficient tool for general linear static analysis. In addition, it equips structural engineers with the ability to go beyond the traditional analysis capabilities of other software programs. Engineers can better explore design alternatives and investigate the linear and true nonlinear behavior of a structure. The software enables the simple and effective analysis of many types of nonlinearity, including P-delta analysis, tension/compression members and supports, cables, and plastic hinges, just to name a few. Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional provides cutting-edge tools for the dynamic analysis of structures, and high-level fast dynamic solvers help provide dynamic analysis that can be more easily carried out for demanding structures. Analysis Solvers Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional includes state-of-the-art solvers to deliver faster processing of even more complex structural models. These analysis algorithms, based on advanced technology, enable engineers to deliver more accurate results faster, helping them to more easily optimize and reanalyze structures and explore a variety of structural configurations.

Wide Range of Analysis Capabilities
Advanced Auto-Meshing and Modeling Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional is a robust structural analysis software application with powerful mesh generation techniques that enable structural engineers to more efficiently work with even more complex models. Automatic mesh definition tools allow for manual manipulation of the mesh, refinement, and meshing around openings of any shape and size. The many meshing tools available enable structural engineers to more quickly create a high-quality finite element mesh on virtually any shape of structure.
State-of-the-Art Analysis Solvers
Advanced Auto-Meshing and Modeling Capabilities
Greater Versatility and Global Analysis
Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional software is a comprehensive global analysis application with an open API, delivering more flexibility to analyze and design a broad range of structures.
Reinforced Concrete and Steel Design Solution Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional contains integrated reinforced concrete and steel design modules based on more than 40 international steel codes and 30 reinforced concrete codes, helping to simplify the design process, and assist engineers with selecting and evaluating structural elements.
Extensive Output of Analysis Results Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional provides wide flexibility in obtaining analysis results. Results may be viewed on individual members, parts of the structure, or for the structure as a whole in the forms of diagrams and maps. Tabular results may be easily filtered to show specific data and easily output to spreadsheets for user postprocessing of data.
Extended Capabilities with an Open API The concept of linking applications together to provide a single solution is not new, but few solutions offer the practical approach of Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional. This program utilizes component object model (COM) technology as introduced by Microsoft, allowing the solution to be open architecture and openly programmable by any engineer. The open and more flexible API offers an extensive list of possibilities, including integrating Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional software with external programs, such as Microsoft Excel software, Microsoft Word, and AutoCAD software; extracting results from Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional; writing postprocessing software, such as special codified analysis for steel, concrete, timber, and aluminum; and the ability to create parametric structures in Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional.
International Design Codes Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional includes more than 60 sections and materials databases from around the world, enabling international projects to be completed more easily. With 70 built-in design codes for an array of countries, structural engineers can work with country-specific section shapes, imperial or metric units, and country-specific building codes within the same integrated model. Multilingual for Global Markets Compete in the global market with Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional. The software supports multinational design teams by providing many languages, including English, French, Romanian, Spanish, Russian, Polish, Chinese, and Japanese. Structural analysis can be performed in one language and output can be generated in another, providing versatility among global teams. Imperial and metric units can be used in combination within the same structural model, providing adaptability to varying environments.

The printout composition feature provides the ability to save tables and model views in a userdefined layout. Results and maps saved in this layout are automatically refreshed after model changes. Printouts can be made directly from printout composition or can be presented in Microsoft Word editor HTML format.
Building Information Modeling for Structural Engineering A smoother workflow and interoperability with the Autodesk structural engineering BIM solution.
Building information modeling (BIM) is an integrated process built on coordinated, reliable information about a project from design through construction and into operations. By adopting BIM, architects, engineers, contractors, and owners can more easily create coordinated, digital design information and documentation; use that information to visualize, simulate, and analyze performance, appearance, and cost; and reliably deliver the project faster, more economically, and with reduced environmental impact.
BIM for structural engineers follows this same methodology for the entire structural engineering process, focusing on a digital model that can be used for coordination with architects; mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineers; and civil engineers that is integrated with analysis, design, and construction documentation, and extending that digital model from design through fabrication and construction. Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis software offers a smoother workflow and interoperability with the Autodesk structural engineering BIM solution, Autodesk Revit Structure software. Extend design and analysis capabilities by harnessing the power of the softwares open API (application programming interface) to help fit your unique needs.
Autodesk Revit Structure Autodesk Revit Structure integrates multimaterial physical and analytical models, providing concurrent structural modeling for more efficient, up-to-date documentation as well as tight integration for analysis and design. AutoCAD Structural Detailing AutoCAD Structural Detailing software is a powerful solution for faster and more efficient detailing and creation of fabrication shop drawings for reinforced concrete and steel structures.
We have been using Robot Millennium software for more than 10 years because of its analysis performance as well as its design versatility for reinforced concrete, steel, and wood structures. We are looking forward to moving to Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis software and becoming even more productive and competitive.

rzegorz Bad G Vice President and Technical Director Biprostal SA Engineering and Consulting, Poland
Learn More or Purchase Access specialists worldwide who can provide product expertise, a deep understanding of your industry, and value that extends beyond your software. To license Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional software, contact an Autodesk Premier Solutions Provider or Autodesk Authorized Reseller. Locate a reseller near you at www.autodesk.com/reseller. Autodesk Learning and Education From instructor-led or self-paced classes to online training or education resources, Autodesk offers learning solutions to fit your needs. Get expert guidance at an Autodesk Authorized Training Center (ATC ) site, access learning tools online or at your local bookstore, and validate your experience with Autodesk certifications. Learn more at www.autodesk.com/learning.
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AUTODESK ROBOT STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS PROFESSIONAL
Exploiting Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional API for Structural Optimization
Al Fisher, Shrikant Sharma SMART Solutions, Buro Happold Ltd.
Access to an open API (application programming interface) can assist in the automation of common and repetitive tasks, helping to save time and costs. The open API provided with Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional software enables programmatic control of Robot, through which sophisticated bespoke tools for structural design optimization can be developed.
Within the construction industry, there is constant pressure to deliver projects more effectively on multiple fronts. This is most notable in the desire to reduce project time scales, while also consistently increasing capability and design quality. This double-edged challenge leads designers to continually seek more effective ways of working. In this white paper, we demonstrate the use of Robot Structural Analysis Professional API to increase efficiency through automation of design processes, which can help reduce time scales and simplify workflow. Furthermore, with this automation capability, innovative design processes such as rationalization, standardization, and design optimization become possible.
CONTENTS Overview of Robot Structural Analysis Professional API.2 Introduction to Optimization.3 Analysis Automation and Optimization..5 Implementation and Case Studies.6 Summary.9 About the Authors.10
Structural optimization applied to a freeform space frame. ( Buro Happold Ltd.)
Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional: Exploiting API for Optimization
Overview of Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional API
Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional software inherently offers full access to an open API. Robot Structural Analysis Professional API exposes the standard functionality of Robot, facilitating programmatic control through external software. Access to Robot through this mechanism can enable any routine tasks or processes accessible through the standard user interface to be fully automated and, thus, more rapidly repeatable, extendible, and scalable. With help from Robot Structural Analysis Professional API, users can drive their analysis model for a number of tasks, including creating complex models; generating and modifying geometry/mesh; applying and editing material properties, sectional information, and boundary conditions; and running analyses and extracting results. Programmatic access can enable the execution and control of the analysis tasks so multiple design options can be more quickly evaluated while also testing for design compliance. Therefore, Robot API is a powerful tool for concept design optioneering as well as detailed design. Automation of Design Processes A typical design analysis process involves the following steps: 1. Geometry generation 2. Mesh generation 3. Assignment of structural material and sectional properties 4. Analysis run and results evaluation This is invariably followed by step five: 5. Iteration through the above four steps until design criteria is met The Robot Structural Analysis Professional API enables programmatic control of each of the above processes, helping provide rapid reduction in each design iteration time. The example below illustrates automation through links to Microsoft Excel software; however, the open API enables real customization of the design processes by integrating Robot with proprietary CAD packages, post-processing software, or bespoke tools developed as a plug-in to the Robot interface. The API uses Microsofts component object model (COM) technology. This means the user can develop simple Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) code from within applications such as Excel, Microsoft Word, AutoCAD software, or develop sophisticated.Net applications to link Robot analysis software with external software.
Example of automation using Robot API enabling parametric model generation from within Microsoft Excel
The benefits of automation are numerous. Automation can help: Reduce of design time Increase accuracy Increase efficiency Eliminate arduous, repetitive tasks Support rapid design exploration The culmination of all these benefits can result in a greatly improved workflow. In addition, as we go on to show in the paper, a major advantage of automation is the potential for increased capability through optimization.
Example of form optimization through an iterative dynamic relaxation procedure
Introduction to Structural Optimization
Optimization as a process seeks to minimize or maximize a design target (for example, weight, cost, deflection, and so forth) through modifying a number of design variables (for example, geometric form, member sizes, prestress, and so on). As an example, the images on the right illustrate an iterative form-finding procedure in which a minimum energy state is sought by modifying the design geometry. In this case, the form relaxes to the optimum equilibrium state converging on a minimal saddle surface. Form optimization is just one such example. Optimization procedures can be applied to virtually any feature of a design or design process. Why Optimize? Iterative optimization is inherent to every design process. This is especially important at the concept design stage, where the engineers explore a number of design options in terms of geometric forms, structural schemes, and individual member sizes before arriving at a working solution. The process continues through the detailed design stage, where more precise member sizes and connection specifications are detailed. In the majority of projects, the iterative design process is manual and trial-and-error based. The engineers typically decide on a design target, for example maximum deflection, or a target weight for the structure, and manually adjust the geometry and sizing parameters until the target is achieved. Manual design iterations are often ad-hoc and inefficient; it can take a long time, and engineers can never be certain of how far the design is from the true optimum solution. Automated design optimization can help to drastically reduce design time, reduce costs, and enhance confidence in the design.

Starting geometry

Form found geometry

Clad final geometry

Optimization Targets, Constraints, and Variables Typical objectives or targets for optimization may include: Minimizing Stress Deflection Weight Cost Embodied energy Maximizing Repetition of components In many cases, these objectives will need to be met within a framework of other conflicting architectural, engineering, fabrication, and client constraints. Typical constraints may be the minimum or maximum section sizes available, maximum deflection due to physical constraints, maximum curvature, total cost not to be exceeded, and so forth. Variables of optimization process are typically the section sizes, but may also be the whole geometric form, numbers of section types used, and so on. The optimization question then is: Given the constraints, what are the most appropriate values of the design variables to achieve the optimization target? The answer to this question requires use of mathematical techniques that iteratively seek the optimum solutions. Optimization Techniques Optimization as a topic is vast and spans a wide range of mathematical and numerical techniques. A sample of which include: Simple Newton Raphson techniques Dynamic relaxation Genetic algorithm Simulated annealing Hill climbing methods Each algorithm is a common factor in that it seeks to (progressively) improve a design based on the targets and constraints defined above. When applying these optimization techniques to real design projects, the emphasis must be on practical, constructible solutions. Thus, we go on to look at how novel, but practical, tools can be developed and integrated into established design processes and existing software practices.
Example of a multiobjective optimization
Analysis Automation and Design Optimization
As introduced earlier, Robot Structural Analysis Professional API helps to provide control over the following aspects of analysis: 1. Geometry generation and manipulations (for example, node coordinates) 2. Mesh generation (for example, mesh size) 3. Structural size and property assignment (for example, section database, material stiffness) 4. Analysis runs (for example, nonlinear) and results evaluation (for example, deflections, member forces) With a programmable COM interface, the API helps enable automation of the analysis. Using this capability, one can more easily write a program that automatically: Re-creates the geometry and mesh parametrically Applies the sizing and material properties to the mesh elements Runs the analysis Interrogates the results Reports the results, for example, forces schedules in a table or a drawing The integration of Robot Structural Analysis Professional with a powerful BIM application, such as an Autodesk Revit product, helps to further benefits including direct linking of the analysis with the parametric design model, as well as automated generation of fabrication scheduling. Automation of design analysis by itself helps increase efficiency. When integrated as part of an optimization procedure, the capability and benefits can be greatly enhanced. Optimization is then just a step forward from automated analysis. As illustrated in the diagram below, the procedure setup for automated analysis is run in a closed loop, varying the design parameters and checking for results until the target is met.

From this generic template for optimization, elaborate algorithms can be defined through a combination of automation and reiteration; thus, the key is in defining effective performance criteria together with a feedback loop that updates the design variables.
Implementation and Application Case Studies
The screenshot below is a good example of practical implementation of a bespoke structural optimization tool SMART Sizer, developed by the SMART Solutions team of Buro Happold Ltd., a global engineering consultancy firm. Responding to the challenges highlighted above , SMART Sizer was developed as a plug-in to Robot Structural Analysis Professional. The tool enables fast interrogative and diagnostic facilities to evaluate the effectiveness of an individual design solution, as well as full design optimization capability. The later functionality actively resizes individual structural members to meet specific serviceability and ultimate limit state requirements specified by the designer. When meeting the serviceability constraints for advanced projects such as tall buildings and lightweight and wide span structures, sizing members for effective distribution of structural stiffness and optimum performance is a challenging and time-consuming process. A tool such as a SMART Sizer helps these complex constraints to be accurately met and frees the designer from routine number crunching to spend more time designing and exploring more effective design options.
SMART Sizer ( Buro Happold) Example of a bespoke structural optimization tool built using Robot Structural Analysis Professional API
Optimization of a Tall Building Structure The screenshots below taken from Robot show an application of SMART Sizer on a high-rise building structure. The optimization algorithm implemented here identifies the most influential members within a structure to limit the deflection at a determined point and subsequently increases the sizes of those members. This process is reiterated until the maximum deflection criteria are met. This powerful design tool thus enables the overall stiffness distribution throughout the structure to be carefully controlled, helping to meet the design requirements while minimizing the structural mass and, thus, material used and potentially cost.
Even in this simple example, the individual steps of analyzing the structure, selecting crucial members, and subsequently sizing the pertinent members appropriately is repeated numerous timesan impractical and virtually impossible process to perform manually without full automation.
Selected Steps Illustrating an Automated Iterative DeflectionBased Optimization Within each step, crucial members are identified and increased in section size. After multiple iterations, the structure has converged, naturally satisfying the imposed deflection criteria. The true power of automated design processes and optimization becomes more readily realized when scaled up and applied to large, complex structures. The example model below is made up from more than 10,000 elements. Thus, together with additional symmetry and rationalization constraints, performing advanced analysis procedures and sizing each member by hand becomes not only laborious, but logistically infeasible. The images show the results of how through use of the automated design tool, the global behavior of the structure could be controlled and crafted, forcing efficient stiff regions within the structure to emerge. Although the final result appears naturally complex with an elaborate and freeform distribution of members of different sectional capacities throughout the structure, the automated procedures harnessed enable full rationalization to be performed simultaneously with the optimization, helping to produce a final solution that is practical and constructible.

The images illustrate the intricate distribution of sections evolving naturally from the stiffness based optimization capability of SMART Sizer tool

Summary

This paper introduced the capabilities of Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis Professional and the Robot Structural Analysis Professional API, and their exploitation to help automate analysis and to develop tools for design optimization. It highlights the concepts of analysis automation, design optimization, rationalization, and standardization, demonstrated using Robot APIbased examples, while illustrating how these can help streamline workflow and design efficiency. Robot Structural Analysis Professional API exposes most of the standard the standard functionality of Robot, facilitating programmatic control through an external piece of software. Access to Robot through this mechanism can enable any routine tasks or processes accessible through the standard user interface to be fully automated and, thus, more rapidly repeatable, extendible, and scalable. Programmatic access enables the execution and control of the analysis tasks, so multiple design options can be more quickly evaluated, while also testing for design compliance. Robot API is therefore a powerful tool for concept design optioneering as well as detailed design optimization. The paper shows an example of practical implementation of a bespoke structural optimization tool, SMART Sizer, developed by the SMART Solutions team of Buro Happold Ltd. SMART Sizer has been developed as a plug-in to Robot Structural Analysis Professional. The specific examples presented in this white paper cover a broad range of engineering tasks from concept form-finding to detailed optimization, and project examples from tall buildings to long-span structures.

About the Authors

Al Fisher joined SMART Solutions, Buro Happolds advanced analysis and simulation group, in 2007 following his PhD at the University of Bath. His expertise lies in the field of numerical modeling and generation of complex geometries, with applications in the definition of arbitrary architectural geometries. As a structural engineer with this background in computational design and analysis, his interests include form-finding, geometric rationalization, optimization, parametric design, and nonlinear structural analysis. Al is particularly interested in the design and analysis of freeform engineering geometries where the structural and architectural forms are inextricably linked. Since joining Buro Happold, he has worked on developing a number of novel tools to generate rational structural geometries from arbitrary forms. Al is also developing software to model wind flow around surfaces of freeform geometry. This shall have an immediate application in the wind loading analysis of tensile structures where complex doubly curved geometries are intrinsic to their design. Shrikant Sharma leads SMART SolutionsBuro Happolds specialist service that offers engineering innovations driven by computational modelling, analysis, and simulations. SMART Solutions specializes in the development of efficient solutions for the built environment and beyond. The team, founded by Shrikant in 2002, has won a reputation for providing simple, practical, and innovative solutions to complex engineering problems. Shrikant has a PhD in engineering and is an expert in the analysis and optimization of complex forms and structures. Shrikant has more than 15 years of experience in the development and application of numerical software and new technologies. Prior to working with Buro Happold, he worked at the universities of Cambridge and Manchester with consortia of automotive and aerospace firms on modelling and manufacturing of complex composite structures. Shrikants expertise lies in developing and applying digital technology to provide solutions that integrate architecture, structural engineering, and fabrication. He has led the integrated modeling, optimization, and digital fabrication process on a number of high-profile projects at Buro Happold.

About Buro Happold

Buro Happold is a world-class multidisciplinary engineering consultancy operating out of an international network of offices in the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, the Middle East, and India. Founded in Bath in 1976 by the late professor Sir Ted Happold, Buro Happold is now a limited liability partnership, providing a comprehensive exemplary engineering consultancy for complete developments, buildings, and infrastructure. Buro Happolds aim, on behalf of its clients, is to achieve maximum value in our engineering design. The company provides design solutions that are elegant, easily constructed, environmentally responsible, and efficient in their use of materials and energy. As architectural design becomes increasingly more challenging and complex in nature, Buro Happold is continually developing new technology to enable us to deliver original, innovative, and efficient design solutions. SMART Solutions is at the center of Buro Happolds innovation process and offers cost-effective engineering solutions on technically demanding projects.

About Autodesk

Autodesk is a world leader in 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software.
Autodesk, AutoCAD, Revit, and Robot are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document. 2010 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
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