StruSoft PREFAB – Data Exchange and Documentation Tool for FEM-Design, Tailored for Precast Concrete and CLT

PREFAB is a stand-alone tool and extension for FEM-Design, developed by StruSoft to provide a quick overview of analysis results and compile comprehensive reports tailored for the precast concrete industry . Its primary purpose is to document the load take-down process, presenting load and reaction data for a structure storey by storey down to the foundation.

Primary Users

StruSoft PREFAB is designed for structural engineers, precast concrete detailers, and project managers who need to efficiently manage, document, and transfer analysis results for precast concrete and cross-laminated timber (CLT) structures . It serves professionals who:

  • Require a clear overview of analysis results from FEM-Design for precast concrete and CLT projects .

  • Need to compile detailed and dynamic reports for precast concrete suppliers, ensuring uniform data quality .

  • Seek to streamline data transfer between analysis models and component designers .

  • Want to perform plastic redistribution of forces for optimized structural design

Key Features & Capabilities

Dynamic Reporting and Data Visualization

  • Dynamic PDF Generation: Creates interactive PDF documents that present loads and reactions in a standardized format, accessible even to users without FEM-Design .

  • Interactive Tooltips: Hovering over objects in the PDF reveals detailed information, such as loads and load combinations, reducing time spent searching tables .

  • 3D View of Utilizations: Users can visualize element utilizations directly in the 3D viewer, with options to filter by specific load combinations and utilization intervals .

Analysis and Redistribution

  • FEM-Design Result Based: Processes results from FEM-Design to generate component-level load outputs .

  • New Plastic Redistribution: Performs a lower-bound plastic redistribution of forces based on element capacity, minimizing utilization for the entire model or storey by storey .

  • StruXML Export: Exports plastic calculation results and FEM-Design results directly to StruXML for seamless integration and improved data exchange .

Interoperability and Export

  • FEM-Design Export: Exports models (in .struxml format) containing all necessary load cases and combinations for semi-automatic component design .

  • Locked PREFAB Export: Creates a locked file that can be opened in the PREFAB Viewer, allowing recipients to access and interact with the data .

  • Excel Export: Exports data for further analysis and reporting .

What’s New in PREFAB 23.0.1

  • 3D Utilization Display: Element utilizations can now be displayed directly in the 3D viewer, with options to filter by load combination and define utilization intervals .

  • Add Thickness to Covers: Users can add thickness to covers, which will cut into adjacent walls. This feature ensures that the exported geometry and loads reflect the actual structure, with loads automatically adjusted to the new geometry .

  • StruXML Export: Direct export of PREFAB plastic calculations and FEM-Design results to StruXML .

  • Enhanced Export Clarity: Exports of elements and reactions are now clearer, with each reaction including a comment detailing its origin .

  • Improved PDF Layout: A new algorithm prevents objects from overlapping in PDF exports, significantly enhancing document readability