Hi,
Good to know that the STAAD is being enhanced to include a physical modeler, according to the 2016 Structural Applications Year in Review vid on the BI server.
Please include a means to reference in dgn's, i.dgn's, i-models or upgrade ISM to have the option include ALL geometry.
I find it amazing how structural engineers often have to re-model the physical structure in the analytical package which often has the most cumbersome modeling tools (no Accudraw, Ref files to use underlays etc).
Have a look at ADAPT Builder, which can import dwg's so that the engineer can trace over and snap to the base geometry when (re)defining the analytical model. Ditto for SCIA, STAAD, GT Strudl, SAP2000 and MultiFrame etc can also import linework DXF but tries to convert them into analytical members. This does not really provide very good situational awareness and also does not support bi-directional design workflows... on its own. Fully understand that the purpose of these import tools is fairly narrow.. ie to help the engineer convert the geomtery into a analytical strick frame.
Of course, this 'importing' workflow is pretty primitive, whilst Microstation Ref attachment and ISM functionality are industry leading and defining features for Bentley. It would be good to extend this 'DNA' to STAAD.
SCIA is pretty impressive in the way provides CAD modeling type of model control (real geometric representation, ability to turn members on/off by level etc). Really good example of Analytical Modeling, I think.
The UX for the structural engineer needs to take the next step and be more graphic.There seems to a new wave of analysis apps that have built in a lot of support for graphic feedback and feature a CAD-like interface. It would be great to leverage Mstn/Navigator'sHypermodeling display tools which can already slice and dice the models, provide thematic re-symbolisation.
I think that there is a great business case for anyone wanting to serve those engineers who do not have architects or others to model the physical model first... like electrical towers, infrastructure civils structures like plant and substation type buildings. Being able to model in the analysis package would save the engineer having to learn a CAD package modeling commands... or switch between apps.
Even when working with architects etc, being able to reference the 2/3d cad info the analytical model would allow the engineer to better understand the situation and make his mods without incurring a high risk of clashes etc. For exmaple, it would be invaluable to have the site boundary or existing third party structure in the STAAD model window so that the engineer has maximum confidence about what space he has for his structure. Shafts are also a typcial problem area due to need to avoid clashes withe MEP and the stairs etc. You would be trying to visualise the spatial problems in your head if all you had on screen was a stick frame on screen. Even worse, you would be reliant on you making a guess, passing the instructions to a cad drafter would then mod and subsequently upload the model for clash detection and wait for another piece of paper (digital or otherwise) to come back. Good mechanism for wasting time and money.
GT Strudl's ACAD-based CAD Modeler and Bentley's Structural Modeler uses a CAD app to model both the physical model members with analytical info and behaviour. Bentley's new OpenBridge Modeler seems to take a similar same approach. But, this would probably be overkill for some and exclude some due to cost.
Maybe, the compromise would be to integrate an ISM Viewer-type window, enhanced to provide a Ref-type model hierarchy tree/controls in STAAD.Pro CE.