As the deadline for the annual StruCad modelling and detailing competition drew near, the South African AceCad staff were delighted with the material that was submitted. Small and large, projects were diverse, covering mining, religious, industrial, cultural and bridge structures.

Some of the many interesting structures include: the new Sauer Street Skywalk, a 50t steel bridge, which was erected on a Sunday afternoon without any disruption to traffic; the Impala Platinum 12 North Shaft Headgear, a prize winner in the 2004 South African Institution of Steel Construction awards, which was completed three months ahead of schedule; the 63t Mandela Museum designed as part of the Alexandra renewal programme; the 120t conveyor structure designed and detailed for Tarkwa Phase IV; the 400t new blast furnace at Iscor, Newcastle; and the 200t roof for the International Pentecost Holiness Church designed by Archistudio.

The international competition draws entries from around the globe. Last year the winner was the Ashford Concert Hall in Israel, followed by the Glanmire to Watergrasshill Bypass in Ireland. The competition allows users to measure their competence against stiff international competition, and encourages innovative use of the steelwork solution StruCad.

StruCad is a 3D modelling system for the detailing of structural steel buildings. The option of using wire frame allows for rapid development of the model. Full solid modelling techniques are used to create and view complex geometry and a virtual reality system provides the facility to view part or all of a structure in fully rendered 3D detail. StruWalker, the freeware viewer, allows clients, engineers, and architects to check the model.

Advanced parametric tools are available to automate the process of steelwork detailing. The system includes a comprehensive library of connection types that consist of industry standard and specialised connections.

From the 3D model, high quality accurate drawings and CAM data are generated automatically.

Using 3D modelling techniques can effectively increase productivity by three to seven times compared to manual 2D systems, dramatically reducing project times, one of the contributory factors to the early completion of the Impala headgear.

We wish all participants in this year's competition well and congratulate you on the quality of work produced.

For more information contact Allyson Lawless, 011 476 4100, acecad@worldonline.co.za