Advance Design

articleissues
notable=September 2008
unreferenced=September 2008Advance Design is a computer-aided engineering (CAE) software application developed by GRAITEC and dedicated to structural analysis and design for building and civil engineering.

Features

Advance Design offers an environment for the static and dynamic analysis of 2D and 3D reinforced concrete and steel structures using the finite element method.

The application provides functions for:
*CAD 2D / 3D modeling (based on Open GL technology);
*Input structure elements (providing wizards for typical structures like trusses and portal frames);
*Input loads (providing wizards for seismic, climatic and pressure loads, and also for creating load combinations);
*Defining analyses (static / dynamic / non-linear analyses, large displacements, generalized buckling, etc.);
*Model verification;
*Meshing (using Delaunay or Grid meshing algorithms [cite web|url=http://www.graitec.com/en/ad_mesh.asp|title=Advance Design meshing] );
*Calculation(with finite elements method engine, and also with reinforced concrete and steel calculation engines, following standard regulations);
*Results post-processing (graphical visualization of results, result curves, stresses diagrams, storing post-processing graphic views, reports with automatic update).

Advance Design functionalities are grouped under three operating modes:
*Model mode: users can create structure elements (e.g., beams, slabs, walls etc), input loadings (point, linear, planar loads), organize the structure elements in systems and subsystems and define the analysis hypotheses.
*Analysis mode: users can create the model mesh, launch calculation and post-process the results.
*Document mode: management utilities for calculation reports and stored views.

Advance Design is available in two versions: one according to North American standards and one according to European standards.

The application is compatible with: Windows 2000 Pro, Windows XP Pro, Windows Vista.

Advance Design received the European label Eureka (Project FT-EXPERT !3335) [cite web|url=http://www.eureka.be/inaction/AcShowProject.do;jsessionid=0a00001b22b8210bb70ab15b49ecb721e2e05a1a262b?id=3335|title=Eureka project E!3335- FTEX] for its innovation. The French Government through the ANVAR OSEO agency confirmed GRAITEC’s innovations by awarding the group an “innovative company” certificate.

pecific functionalities

Customizable reports with automatic update

Advance Design includes a generator, which allows users to create standard or customized reports.:
*Users can add different items to their reports (tables, texts, images, stored post-processing views, etc).
*Advance Design reports can be saved in several formats (DOC, RTF, TXT, PDF).
*During the modeling phase users may generate reports of the structure description (quantitative and qualitative data). After calculation, it is possible to generate reports containing result tables.
*The report generator takes into account the selection elements defined by users. As a result, the reports content will refer only to the selected elements. Users are able to configure the look and structure of the document and also to input text and add images to the report.
*Users can define and save custom tables, in order to obtain the desired results in the calculation report.

"Result Memory" technology

Advance Design integrates "Result Memory" technology that allows automatically updating the content of different outputs, such as calculation reports or saved views of the model. With each calculation iteration, Advance Design automatically updates the graphical views and rewrites the design report taking into account the specified criteria.

oftware interoperability

Advance Design integrates GRAITEC’s technology, “GTC” (GRAITEC Transfer Center), a data synchronization technology that allows:
*Importing / exporting data to other Graitec software and standard formats: IFC 2.×3, CIS/2 [cite web|url=http://www.coa.gatech.edu/~aisc/index.php?menu=faq#1|title=About CIS/2 standard] , SDNF.
*Multiple Advance Design users working simultaneously on the same project and synchronizing their models.
*Synchronization in Advance Design of modifications made by engineers in other Graitec software (e.g., section changes, addition of structural elements, etc.).

Release history

References

External links

* [http://www.graitec.com/en/ad_main.asp Advance Design official page]
* [http://partnerproducts.autodesk.com/popups/product.asp?rdid=FRFR0103&prodid=FRP08401&id=18929 About Advance Design on Autodesk web page]