Structural Modelling
"Our team of detailers have provided excellent feedback regarding the software functionality and the ease of use. Our clients have already seen the benefit from the additional services that we are now able to provide to them".
Stuart Hall, Specialised Steelwork Limited
Structural Modelling
All these tools provide fast and efficient modelling. Creating a precise model is important since Advance Steel will subsequently create all project documents (drawings, lists, NC files) from this model.
The first step of Advance Steel provides the user with a large library of structural elements and deisgn functions such as:
- Common Industry Frames, Bracings, etc,
- Common Profiles,
- Common Roofs,
- Steelwork (stairs, railings, ladders, etc, including joints),
- Welding, tapered and curved beams,
- Plates management tools
Advance Steel works in 2D or 3D depending on the user's preference and the type of structure being modelled. Advance Steel supports all basic AutoCAD concepts and functions (snap points, grip points, copy, etc.)
In the second step, Advance Steel has libraries of customisable automatic joints (more than 300 joints) and offers the possibility to create specific joints using a wide range of tools:
- Polygonal cuts on plate and beam (cope, along centerline, polygonal, on the UCS, with an angle),
- Placement bolts, holes and shear studs,
- Welded Connections.
Advance Steel assigns automatic part marks. Through dialog boxes, the user can define the numbering prefix, method, starting number and increment. Advance Steel will then proceed to final checking: element collisions, tool access (buildability), and consistency of element marks (fabrication, delivery and assembly).
Knowledge engineering: Advance Steel integrates a new adaptive technology that automates and significantly accelerates joint creation. When creating a joint, Advance Steel analyses its environment and recognises if a similar situation has occured in the past. The software then suggests the optimal joint in the desired category while taking into account its structural integrity. (Only available for certain types of joints and standards.)
New Joint Design Engine
Advance Steel can now automatically design common joints within the user interface. To create a joint the user specifies the efforts (kip) and Advance Steel quickly designs the joint. The correct type and quality of bolts, plate thickness etc., are automatically inserted in the model and a full design report is created.
Advance Steel is the only CAD software for steel structures that easily models sheets of metal work. It only takes two clicks to create an element, for example, a conical shape from two AutoCAD entities (circle, square, etc) or between two profiles with different diameters.
The drawings for these shapes are automatically obtained along with their unfolded representation.

