adgtx08 Posted December 10, 2023 Share Posted December 10, 2023 Does anyone know if Chief Architect is able to actually perform structural calculations and point loads on the foundations and framing it generates? If not, do you think it can be done using Ruby programming to generate those calculations through an add-on to the software? Or does that have to be in another calculation software like StruCalc or Forte? I have a programmer willing to make a utility for me, but I was just curious if anyone had attempted actual calculations in Chief Architect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammer7 Posted December 10, 2023 Share Posted December 10, 2023 The short answer is no. To paraphrase answers that I have seen in the past is that the program is used all over the world and engineering is subject to many different local conditions making it impossible to introduce that specificity not to mention potential liability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mthd97 Posted December 10, 2023 Share Posted December 10, 2023 As you may know the process is usually done by sending a 3D structural model to another app that does the calculations after importing the 3D file from the CAD app. I have asked for a 3D file export system from CA to other apps in the past and they are not available at this stage. As you know most engineers do the work on the 3D model and then provide the calculations. You can send 2D DWG files from CA to another app but that’s about it for now. Lots of us use timber span tables and other apps to do the calculations for us. There are some here using CA and Ruby script but I am not sure if anyone is actually using it for engineering calculations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renerabbitt Posted December 11, 2023 Share Posted December 11, 2023 On 12/9/2023 at 6:15 PM, adgtx08 said: Does anyone know if Chief Architect is able to actually perform structural calculations and point loads on the foundations and framing it generates? If not, do you think it can be done using Ruby programming to generate those calculations through an add-on to the software? Or does that have to be in another calculation software like StruCalc or Forte? I have a programmer willing to make a utility for me, but I was just curious if anyone had attempted actual calculations in Chief Architect. Not really, a wall can report its trib length on one side of the wall and be marked bearing but it cant do both sides of the wall. So no matter what there would always be some manual input Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe_Carrick Posted December 11, 2023 Share Posted December 11, 2023 I use Strucalc. It doesn't communicate with Chief. However, I can use Chief to calculate the loads and then enter those into Strucalc. Of course, you either need to be an engineer or an Architect to sign the calculations. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheoryDesign Posted December 12, 2023 Share Posted December 12, 2023 Forte is a free app by Weyerhaeuser that will do this for you. My contractors use it themselves with ease, often in conjunction with SketchUp. There don't seem to be any recent youtube videos on it but perhaps it just hasn't changed much in the past few years. Does the job. Give it a whirl. https://www.weyerhaeuser.com/woodproducts/software-learning/forte-software/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe_Carrick Posted December 12, 2023 Share Posted December 12, 2023 Forte only does single member sizing. It doesn't do foundations, etc. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironbretoo Posted May 17 Share Posted May 17 On 12/10/2023 at 8:41 AM, mthd97 said: As you may know the process is usually done by sending a 3D structural model to another app that does the calculations after importing the 3D file from the CAD app. I have asked for a 3D file export system from CA to other apps in the past and they are not available at this stage. As you know most engineers do the work on the 3D model and then provide the calculations. You can send 2D DWG files from CA to another app but that’s about it for now. Lots of us use timber span tables and other apps to do the calculations for us. There are some here using CA and Ruby script but I am not sure if anyone is actually using it for engineering calculations. There are services that offer engineering help. I saw one https://essays.edubirdie.com/engineering-assignment-help for example. You can ask them. But this is mainly for students. Maybe you know if it's possible to do a proper export in SolidWorks? I wanted to try using it for my project, but it seems like it might not work out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mthd97 Posted May 18 Share Posted May 18 10 hours ago, Ironbretoo said: Maybe you know if it's possible to do a proper export in SolidWorks? I am not familiar with SolidWorks 3D export file formats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
payettedesigns Posted May 18 Share Posted May 18 The ans is no. I calculate beams/lvs ect for my own amusement. That being said everything we do unless you can cover it by (Prescriptive Code) Span table right out of the Residential or Commercial Building code goes to our Structural Engineer. When we use Trusses we make sure the Structural Engineer and the Truss Manufacturer are looking at each others work and are on the same page. I have to ask why because I see it on here a lot. Why would you want to put this task on yourself? No jurisdiction within 3 states of where we work will allow anything structural outside the Prescriptive Code to be signed off by an Architect or Residenital Designer. If you want to play Structural Engineer purchase Simlified Engineering for Architects and Builders ( James Ambrose) Ninth or Tenth Edtion it is some of my favorite bathroom reading. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portrait Posted May 18 Share Posted May 18 I know of no architectural software that can perform structural calculations. Structural load calculations require a different set of tools, which is why it's common practice to use separate software for that purpose. The main issue is how architectural data is transferred from the architect to the engineer. Sending plans in DWG format often causes errors and discrepancies. However, as the BIM process evolves, software companies are working to integrate design and engineering on the same platform. Revit, for instance, has three separate modules for design and engineering: the architect designs the building with Revit Architecture, the structural engineer performs load calculations with Revit Structure, and the MEP engineer uses Revit MEP. This way, the entire team uses the same software with different tools, and the final design is consolidated into a single file containing all relevant data. Archicad allows you to generate a structural analytical model, which can be exported to a structural engineer who then opens the model in their own structural analysis program. At the moment, Chief Architect is not part of this integrated process, but I don't think this will last forever. Recent advancements in artificial intelligence have significantly accelerated software development, so I wouldn't be surprised if Chief Architect introduces structural calculations or enhances interoperability with other software like Revit or Archicad in the coming years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now