Karamba Exporter to GSA, Robot, SAP2000, Sofistik etc

I'm seeking out Karamba users (and potential users) for a new workflow for this grasshopper plugin.  For anyone that doesn't know Karamba, it's a structural analysis plugin for Grasshopper.  GeometryGym has developed various plugins to allow generation of structural analysis data within Grasshopper, but then has the overhead of having to export the data out of Grasshopper to the external software, and then import back the results.

Karamba works as a solver entirely within Grasshopper, and should perform faster as a result.  But more traditional software has advantages of being proven and trusted, and often project requirements mandate particular software or certifications for detailed design.  At present, many users are generating the Karamba model for preliminary design, but then rebuilding the model using Geometry Gym equivalent components to export the model out for refined analysis or advanced assessment.

I've been discussing with the Karamba developer Clemens (and advancing on) a utility to extract the Karamba Structural Analysis model so that it could be verified or advanced in alternative commercial structural analysis software.  I know that Karamba can presently export to RSTAB, but I'm working on enabling this further for a wider range of software.  The exporter for Karamba would save users on generating, maintaining and coordinating multiple components if desired to use the data downstream.
At least initially the primary options are the software that I have developed plugins for.  This includes Oasys GSA, Autodesk Robot, SAP2000, Sofistik, Spacegass, Strand7/Straus7 and hopefully shortly SCIA.  The way this exporter would work also means that any structural analysis software recognizing the structural analysis aspects of IFC could also be utilized.

This would permit verification of the model results, and often projects have mandates on using specific (often certified) software for detailed design calculations.
If you're interested in participating in the early testing and advancing of this feature, please get in touch.

Also refer to this forum post for discussion and details.

Thanks,
Jon

Three pin Truss

An assignment was set recently at UC Berkeley to model a three pin truss utilized at the previous Eurostar Terminal at Waterloo, London.

A question on how to generate this arrangement was posted on the Grasshopper forum, and I think it is a fantastic example of structure that should be modelled in Grasshopper to achieve the best design possible.

The assignment due date has passed (I hope), so I think it's safe to post how I would use the Geometry Gym plug-ins to model this structure.  This includes a new BullAnt Truss component, that allows you to select the nature of the truss connectivity (at present, Pratt, Warren, Vierendeel and Brown) between two chord curves.  Other truss types are available upon request.

GSA screen Capture

Download AVI from here

Robot screen Capture


Download AVI from here

And the files so you can try for yourself:

Rhino Model (Required for all Grasshopper Definitions)

Grasshopper definition for BullAnt
Grasshopper definition for Oasys GSA
Grasshopper definition for Autodesk Robot
Grasshopper definition for SAP
Grasshopper definition for SDNF (Steel detailing neutral format can be exchanged to BIM software such as Tekla and Digital Project)
Grasshopper definition for Strand7/Straus7
Grasshopper definition for Sofistik

Other software models coming soon, please request to accelerate.

Parametric Structure Models in Grasshopper

The first Geometry Gym plug-in for Grasshopper with Structural model Interaction has just been uploaded.
http:\\www.geometrygym.com/downloads  Versions for GSA, Strand7/Straus7 and Sofistik are available, other modelling interaction will soon follow (ie  SAP, SDNF, Robot etc).  If you want to influence the priority list for release, send me an email with which version you'd like to use.

So, here's a screen capture demonstrating the use of the plug-in, and sending the parametric model out of Rhino into GSA (similar for Strand7, Sofistik and others).



And to try this for yourself, here's the sample models shown and a revisit of the Gherkin.

First Grasshopper Definition to generate structural beams :          GSA Robot SAP2000 Sofistik Strand7

A simplified version of Newcastle Millennium bridge.  I haven't had a chance to add a slider to rotate it yet :-(

Associated Rhino model with properties :  GatesHead Rhino Model
Grasshoppper Definition : GSA Robot SAP2000 Sofistik  Strand7

Revisiting the mini-Gherkin.  Note I'm sure if I get a chance to study Grasshopper Trees and Branches this definition could be simplified a bit.

Associated Rhino model with properties :  Gherkin Rhino Model

Grasshopper Definition : GSA Robot SAP2000 Sofistik Strand7