Convergence of design technology and structural analysis software will contribute to improved built environment safety standards. That is the opinion of Louis Viljoen, a member of the team of Prokon Software Consultants' structural engineers that incorporated the company's Prokon structural analysis software with internationally developed Autodesk design technology, to create an integrated structural design application.

Prokon comprises a comprehensive suite of modules for frame and finite element analysis, steel member and connection design as well as concrete design and detailing. The software is used in more than 80 countries and has become the de facto standard in many countries that use British design codes. "In our opinion, convergence of technologies was a necessity, not simply a nice-to-have upgrade," explains Viljoen.

"All built environment project team members work under extreme pressure, particularly when projects are fast-tracked. For a structural engineer, having to go back and forth between design and structural analysis programs is frustrating and time consuming, and could result in someone taking a short cut."

In addition to integrating its structural analysis software with AutoCAD, Prokon has extended its product offering by creating a new product - ProDesk. The new software combines the company's structural analysis software with Autodesk's model-based design technology, Autodesk Architectural Desktop.

Viljoen, who is also ProDesk product manager, believes the combined technologies offer considerable productivity gains and also promise to alter the way in which built environment professionals collaborate on projects. "Because the nature of model-based design lends itself to the re-use of design data, I think we will see professionals collaborating much more closely in future," says Viljoen.

"For example, an architect will create a single model, embedded with every shred of design data, from dimensions, window specifications and a bill of materials to external reference documents and object-specific notes. That same data will be used in the development of the design and the generation of detailed drawings.

"I predict that it will not be long before allied consultants share the knowledge contained in the original model, each adding their own layer of data - be it civil or structural engineering calculations, airconditioning specifications, or electrical schematics."

One of the biggest benefits offered by Autodesk model-based design technology is the ease with which revisions can be made. Because all the design data is contained in the original model, revisions are made once to the model. All views are automatically updated. "Time savings achieved in downstream revisions will give structural engineers time to focus on engineering and design, and not on churning out detailed drawings." Users of ProDesk can work in 2D or 3D, however, Viljoen points out, that 3D is no longer about providing attractive presentations. It can, in fact, help engineers proactively pin-point possible problem areas.

An example would be the task of fitting holding down bolts between stub column reinforcement in the pad footing of a steel column. The position of the bolts relative to the steel column is critical to achieve a design strength for the steel column-to-footing connection, so too the position of the reinforcing within the concrete stub column. The challenge is to balance these two requirements and still produce a practicable foundation solution. With 3D reinforcement detailing, determining the viability of a solution is only a matter of taking a look at the 3D output. Changes can be made to the model and the influence on design strength checked immediately, using ProDesk in conjunction with Prokon's structural design suite.

For more information contact Autodesk, 012 664 8115.