Dynamo-Powered Infrastructure Design for Automation and Sustainability

JAKUB BIELSKI: Hello, everyone. My name is Jakub Bielski, and today I'm going to present you a class called Dynamo-powered Infrastructure Design for Automation and Sustainability.

Let's start with a small introduction and please allow me to introduce myself, the speaker of today's class. So I'm the structural engineer. I have this engineering background. I studied in Krakow in Poland and then also in Vienna. And later on, I started working in SOFiSTiK in Germany. And right now, I am the product owner and based in Nuremberg, in Bavaria.

My primary role in the company is the product owner of the BIM for infrastructure. So we are developing multiple software applications and different modules. And this is what I'm doing as my daily task.

So it's also my pleasure to enhance our products and create new solutions. And I'm really happy that I can present some of them for you today. And hopefully we will meet after the presentation when we simply get in touch online or in real life.

Let's take a look at the agenda. So what we will be talking about-- we start at the small introduction of the company. So who we are, what we do, and where you can find us. Then we will focus down on the software of today's topic, which is the SOFiSTiK Bridge and Infrastructure Modeler.

We will take a look at the basic concepts, some learning materials, what you can find where, and also what's in the latest version for Revit 2023. Then we'll have the three main topics, which is the Dynamo [? nodes ?] for SOFiSTiK Bridge and Infrastructure Modeler. We will take a look at the generative design where we can have a study for the automation and sustainability, and of course the carbon footprint, which is right now a really important part of the whole conference.

And also at the end, we will take a look in the future. And we'll see what kind of the new developments are awaiting us or actually are maybe already there. And we'll see the digital twin of the cable-stayed bridge in Germany.

So first of all, SOFiSTiK. It's the German-based company which is focusing on the development of the software for the construction industry. So it's been already almost 50 years since the first FEA development. Then we had also done this. Then the company was created as SOFiSTiK, which is called the [SPEAKING GERMAN], so for the finite elements and the construction or the static analysis and the construction.

And then later on, when the BIM methodology was created, or was getting more popularity, then SOFiSTiK also focused on this task. And one of the applications is actually the result of the work which has been already since some years. Historically and also strategically, we are connected with Autodesk, because we are using Autodesk as a platform for our development-- actually, AutoCAD was the first one, and right now, Revit application. I mean, the Revit platform for applications.

Where to find us. So, we have the international presence. We have the multiple offices in Europe, but also in South Africa, in North America, and as you can see on the map, we are almost everywhere. So please don't hesitate to find us on our website and to get in touch with our sales representatives.

This is our products palette. So of course, our core competency is the FEA and especially for bridges. But as well we are also focusing on the 3D reinforcement and also 2D reinforcement with the focus on the drawings, and also the newly-developed BIM team, which is focusing as well on the bridges and infrastructure projects.

So our philosophy is to be open. So of course, we are connected with the Autodesk company and with the Autodesk platforms for many years. But we are also collaborating with different software solution providers. And so we are staying-- so if you have the solution, and if you have the problem, maybe we can find it with the different modules than usual. So we are for the hard tasks.

We have one software for multiple applications. So what is really important to understand here is that SOFiSTiK philosophy is to create the software which is as generic as possible, and as easy to use as possible. So actually, it's up to you. It's up to you, designer, to decide what you want to make and how you want to make it. And then we will help you to do it.

And here is the list of some of our reference customers. And actually, these ones are only from that only are using the SOFiSTiK Bridge and Infrastructure Modeler. If we put in this slide the other ones that are using the FEA solutions or the 2D modules, then this list would be a lot bigger.

OK. Let's right now jump into the main topic of today's presentation, which is the application SOFiSTiK Bridge and Infrastructure Modeler, which is our BIM solution for infrastructure design. So the basic information is that we are working on the Revit platform. So we are using the Revit API to develop the solutions that are adjusted for the special tasks in the infrastructure industry.

So the basic or the most important part is that it's an axis-based design. So we can create anything that is following an axis. We are creating an alignment using the vertical and horizontal curvature.

We are then sweeping the cross sections along an axis. And then you can place the different substructures and later on create drawings in Revit. So this is the basic workflow when you go from an axis, which is the backbone of the project, and then you place and connect different components according to the stationing. So at the end of the day, you have the 2D and 3D documentation available.

So the same process that you can replicate also for some other structures. So [? said ?] infrastructure project, it's not about a specific tunnel. It's not about a specific bridge. It's about everything that is following an axis. It can be a road. It can be a cantilever wall. So if you have the data, if you have the right tools in the right place, then you can design what you want.

If we can describe the bridge modeler into words, or into slides, then I would divide it into the modeling part, when we can create the components based on the data structure. So on the left hand side, you can see the bridge which is based on an axis. There is the so-called [? CUDA ?] system with the BIM components on it, and with all of the dependencies that are adjusted to it. So we know which element is based on which one.

And these dependencies you can see on the right hand side in an Infra browser when you can see that the axis has its own secondary axis. Then on the secondary axis are the barriers and so on and so on.

The second part is the documentation. So of course here we are working in the 3D environment. But in many countries still, you need to develop the documentation in the form of the 2D drawings which you need to deliver for the client. So we have also developed these [INAUDIBLE] tools that will enable you to work efficiently in Revit and create the drawings and as well the longitudinal sections and the dimensions.

So I could tell a lot about the Bridge Modeler, but it's not exactly today's topics. It's not about the basics. If you are new to the Bridge Modeler I really recommend you to get the different sources for the learning materials.

And I had the pleasure to present already twice [INAUDIBLE] so you can take the first presentation that I did with the [INAUDIBLE] the challenges of bridge design and detailing in Revit. And the second one last year with [INAUDIBLE] advanced design of infrastructure projects in InfraWorks and Revit. There are also the multiple webinars available on our website. You can also find videos on YouTube, Vimeo, and LinkedIn, and also check the user reports and online documentation.

So in this presentation, I have linked all of the websites. And of course, you will find in the handout all of the needed information if you want to get to know SOFiSTiK Bridge and Infrastructure Modeler.

Just as the last word about the bridge modeler is what's new in 2023. So the software has already some years, like it is the fifth anniversary [INAUDIBLE] so right now we are constantly developing them in different parts of the software. So you can really see that your feedback, the customer feedback, is flowing directly into us and then we can create the better software for better designs.

And yes, for axis, we are working right now with the polycurves and supporting non-tangential alignments. We are also focusing on the tunnelling. So you are able to create the segment tunnels, or also actually segment bridges with the more accurate way. And also for the shop drawings we have developed new dimensioning tools for complex shapes and also for the curved edges and lines. So maybe this information is for someone who already knows the Bridge Modeler and can say yeah, finally, I can do it. But just to let you know, we can find the highlights of SOFiSTiK applications on our website as well. So don't hesitate to check it out.

The last development is the most important for today's presentation, which is the Dynamo Nodes. So right now we are opening the Bridge and Infrastructure Modeler through the visual programming port. And we'll talk about it during today's class.

And we'll go through project references. And first of all, I would like to mention that you will see what is actually doable with the Bridge Modeler. And this is to give you a hint what you are capable of using our tool, and what it actually is only up to you and your creativity to use the same tool for the different tasks.

And the first one is the example from Australia, from LatterRain, the Super-T bridge. Then we'll move to the South Africa, where we also see the multi girder bridge from SMEC. And now we are in Israel, when we can see that AMY-METOM created a really nice project, another Super-T bridge according to the local standards.

Then we can see another project, which is really special about the drawings and development and the quality, created by LAP in Germany. So we can see that the geometry is really accurate. There are a lot of details in the drawings and everything based on the 3D model also according to the German standards this time. And it's really good work.

And right now, let's take a look at a few screenshots and a few slides from the bridge created by the IBBS together with the Tecton Consult in Vienna, Austria. So this is the integral bridge where the superstructure was created by the multiple girders. And as always, IBBS is providing us the really nice visualization. So really nice to see the quality of the pictures and so how we can see that. And as we can see, so we can actually take a look at what will be built before it's even there.

And another project, the overpass, also for the rail and highway. Also from IBBS. And this time it's the concrete plate bridge, which was created of course using the Bridge and Infrastructure Modeler with the different variants for the OBB, which is the Austrian railway.

And we are right now in Hamburg, also in Germany, where the company, the WTM engineers is working on the Argentinienknoten, which is the Argentinean nodes in the very center of the Hamburg harbor. In this place, the rail, the motorways and also the waterways are connecting together and intersecting. So the 3D planning has a crucial role for taking care of all of the required spaces and the availability of the construction spaces for each erection pace.

So we can see how it looks like with all of the bridges and the ramps. This is the slide where we can see all of the substructure on the [? underground. ?] We can see actually that different bridge types were created in the same project. And also with the different parameters, such as the [INAUDIBLE] and phases for the construction. And at the end, we have really nice slides also with the visualization for the steel arch bridges.

Right now we are taking a look at the project from [INAUDIBLE] it's on the A44 Bergshauser bridge. And we can see that the different types of the bridge were actually taken into consideration and we can see that using the same alignment, we can create multiple choices and options, and we can select the best one that fits the design requirements.

And the last one is the tunnel, also created by the Schussler-Plan, which has the very good geometry, the multiple concrete elements, and so on. We can see the two streets are actually joining each other. So and then we have also the curved structures.

So this was about the project references. So we know already what is the SOFiSTiK Bridge and Infrastructure Modeler, what you are able to do with it. And right now let's take a look at the main topic, which is the Dynamo Interface.

And so let's start from the basics. So the Dynamo for Revit is the visual programming interface where we are able to create your own scripts without the deep knowledge of the programming, and to design whatever you want in Revit. And whatever you want is of course whatever Revit is capable of.

And it's like 100% customizable. So it's really open and adjustable to your requirements. And what are the main benefits? You can automate the repeatable processes. So for example, instead of clicking through 10 times a day in the same icon or the same construction elements, then you can basically do it with the help of the Dynamo. The computer is doing the work for you.

You can open the project for the new workflows and interfaces. So anything that is digestible by Dynamo can be also used for your project. So you can have the data from the multiple sources and use it for the better design.

And what is really important is that all of it optimizes and customizes the design process. And design process that understood in the big picture from the first conceptual phases through the detailed phases and the end, that's where the construction and the [? maintenance. ?]

And just to let you know, this class is not about the Dynamo itself. I could spend more than one hour to talk about it. So if you are new to the topic, I also recommend you to visit the Dynamo primer using that link down below to learn more about the basics of the Dynamo.

But let's right now focus on the concept behind the Dynamo nodes. So as we have seen before, there is the nice interface of the Bridge and Infrastructure Modeler where you can basically click through the whole project using the nice dialogues you can input the information. You can control the data.

You can place down the components. You can create [? overdependencies ?] and so on. So this is really nice to have. No, it's not nice to have, but it's really nice development that you can have for in your design.

But sometimes when the projects are getting bigger and bigger and maybe some formats are not supported, it can be quite tricky to do everything. So that's why we have opened for the Dynamo. So the functionalities that you can find in Bridge and Infrastructure Modeler right now you can find also as a package in the Dynamo. So basically you have the Dynamo Node Package called SOFiSTiK Bridge And Infrastructure Modeler, where you can create your own scripts and to customize the logics behind and automate the processes of the design.

So right now, let's take a look at how it looks like. So I said before, this is the interface after the installation of the Bridge Modeler. We have all of these nice icons. We have a lot the whole wide palette of the different tools that does different stuff that enable you to create the bridge or different infrastructure projects in the nice, intuitive way. However, if you go to Manage tab and you open Dynamo, you can find the same functionalities in the form of the Dynamo nodes.

So for example, as we have seen before, let's take a look on the left hand side where you can see how the package looks like. And as we have seen before, we had the same nice dialogue for the creation of an axis. And you can create [INAUDIBLE] this axis, and you can control the input using this Dynamo nodes and connected with the wires. And the same for the girder system, the same for the placement of the BIM components on it, and as well if you want to extrude the superstructure using the profile along an axis and place other substructures on it.

And then you feed all of this information to the Create Revit elements node to design your own infrastructure project. And so this is why we are doing it, right? So you are using the functionalities of the Bridge Modeler in a more open and more customizable way.

So how the basic Dynamo workflow would look like? So we are taking the different sources with the data. Then we are creating the custom scripts. Then we are creating the infrastructure model in Revit. And then we keep on working on this model, and we create-- for the detailings and the creation of the drawings.

So let's take a look again, what we can do to create a bridge. So we'll be working on the same script that we have seen before. But however, we'll start a bit earlier, when we can select a model line as a basis for our axis. Then this information will be forwarded to the nodes that are actually creating an axis. Then we'll create the girder system. We'll place the BIM systems on it. And then we will also extrude the concrete deck as the superstructure geometry.

All fine and good, but actually the [INAUDIBLE] now when you want to edit it. So right now we can use this. We can tweak the design as we want. So for example, we can change the geometry of this spline and the element is the same. So we don't have to do anything.

And right now we are also reaching to the information that is in an Excel file. So we have some information about the [? families ?] that we are using and also the basic or advanced information. We can also, using these sliders, we can change the girder type and also the length of each span. And all of these changes will be forwarded to the rest of the script to the very last node that is doing the actual work that we can see in the model area. And we can update all of this information so we can have a new bridge or actually the same bridge with the new information.

So we went through the first step, which was the Bridge and Infrastructure Modeler with the UI. Then we have learned that we can use it as well, that we can create the infrastructure projects using the Dynamo scripts. And right now we will take it to the next level and we will use the Dynamo for the generative design to create the better outcomes.

So it's exactly as before. Let's start with the basics. So what is the generative design? The generative design is basically the data behind the decisions. So actually, instead of focusing on the design itself, the designer is focusing on the procedure and the defined goals that is pushing the outcomes.

So we can design the process that we want to follow. And we want to define the goal, so actually, where we can go with it. And then the generative designs will give us the proposals that we can select to reach the goal that we wanted to achieve.

The concept is quite easy. The idea or the model, the design, is evolving through the integration or the iterations according to the given input. So then we can give an input. We can give the constraints and set goals. And then we iterate multiple times to give the best possible solutions. And during this use case, we'll consider two types. We'll take a look at the optioneering. So we will create multiple options. And we'll see the different possible outcomes of the bridge. And we'll also focus on the optimization.

So we'll try to get the best solution or the best solutions only. And of course, we'll be using the Autodesk solutions, which is the generative design for Autodesk in Revit as the generator for the [INAUDIBLE] data.

So this is how the workflow looks like for the generative design. So you can see that it's really similar to the workflow with the Dynamo. So we are starting with the data input. And we set some of the constraints that makes our bridge doable and logic.

Then we are processing this data, and we are exploring and analyzing different possibilities and outcomes. And later on, we are selecting the data, or the outcomes that are later on our inputs, actually, for the modeling of the actual bridge in Revit. And we create drawings.

So this is how the calculation schema looks like. So we are using an Excel table that you have seen, actually, before already. And we are using the custom nodes created by the Python in Dynamo. And we are connecting it to the SOFiSTiK Bridge and Infrastructure Modeler nodes through the data gate to create the actual model in Revit.

And here we can take a look how it looks like. So we have the first equal will be the axis geometry. We have also the variables, which is the girder type and span length, and some additional data. We have the computational part where we can sort out the data. We can process it. And we can give the output to the generative design to explore the studies.

And later on, we can select the given options, or when we select the given options, we can take this data and forward it further to the second part of the script, which is actually creating the bridge in the model.

And right now, let's take a look at the use case information. So of course, we are focusing on the sustainability and in this case, we'll be focusing on the carbon footprint. So first of all, the general assumptions. It's not an academic example, but more the proof of concept.

So if some of the numbers are not as you would expect them to be, please don't complain. It's just to see if the concept is right and if with the given tools we can do what we have thought about, and to see if we can push it further. Then this span length [? per due date ?] are also simplified. So of course, all of the materials you will find in the library, and also in the handouts. So please keep in mind that it's not the structural calculation [? behind running, ?] but the simplified assumptions.

Then the calculation of the carbon footprints was created according to the three factors. The first one was the variable volume of girders, because each girder type has got a different unit volume. And of course, the number of girders is varying in the span, and as well as in the length of the bridge, because we are considering different number of spans.

Then the volume of [? girders ?] is constant. However, the number of [? girders ?] is not. So the more spans, the more concrete will be used for the substructures. And then later on, we have also included the constant value for the assembly of each element for the [? work ?] [INAUDIBLE] there for us, as well.

Then basic values. So the bridge geometry is based on the selected line. So here the line will be the straight line, 100 meters long. We are taking into consideration I-type girders from I1 to I15 and the CO2 output or the CO2 score will be calculated as the sum of the overall material used for the creation of the bridge, as well as the works due to the assembly and earthworks.

And our objectives, what we want to achieve in here, we want to find the minimum score of a carbon footprint for given constraints. So we have given that in an Excel table, we have given the constraints which need to be taken into account. And then we want to see with this data how can we get the smallest carbon footprint for the given bridge geometry.

Then we want to also check some other options and analyze the correlations between the span length and as well the girder types. And at the end of the day, of course, we want to build the Revit model based on the selected values.

So let's go to the Revit and let's create the study. So we have the straight line, which is basically the model line, 100 meters long. And we create the new study. We are searching for the directory where we can find the appropriate study, or the Dynamo script.

We are selecting the model line as a basis. We can give some additional values as a deck with-- or the on the index that has to be taken into account. We are looking for the score of the carbon footprint only. So we are deactivating the values and clicking OK.

And right now the we are looking for the best possible option, which means that we are looking for the combination of different girder types and also span lengths that will give us the smallest carbon footprint. And yeah. This video is fast forwarded, as you can see in the case study.

And in a few minutes, we have already got the numbers. So the type index 10, span length 13, and number of girders is 12. So we are expecting that we will have the 30 meters long spans with girders I10 with 12 of them in the span.

And here we go. So after a few moments, we have already the bridge in Revit that we can continue working on. We can also as well create the multiple case studies to check the different options. And we can see this [? stationing. ?] As I said before, all of the elements created by Dynamo with, of course, our nodes are the proper SOFiSTiK bridge and elements, the components, that we can continue on working on.

And of course, we can use other tools, for example, sections to create the automatic sections along an axis on the given station. And let's open it and see how the bridge looks like in the cross section. It looks quite good. We have 12 girders with the constant spacing along or across the deck.

Right now let's take a look again at the different options. So we are back to the generative design. And we will create one more study. But this time, we'll not use the method optimize, but we will use the method space evenly.

So in this case, we'll try to have the study, or we try to get the different solutions for the different number of girders in each span. We'll also check the different variations for the span length and different girder types.

And so with quite fast calculation, we have that we are going through the 700 different cases that we want to check out. And right now the generative design is calculating the outcomes for the 700 different cases, how we can create the same bridge. And we can see that we have the multiple options that we can right now go through.

And of course, we want to focus on the score, which is the score for the carbon footprint. And we want to eliminate the worst ones. And we want to focus on the best ones.

So already we can see that there are some tendency. That's because all of the lines are close to each other. So we can see that there is the correlation between the span length and the girder types. But as well, we can see that there are some design options that are actually not falling into the common principle.

And we can also take a look at the graphics. So if we put in the score of the CO2 footprint on the y-axis and the type of the girder on the x-axis, we can see that the bigger the girder, the smaller the score. And as well, we can do the same if we put the span length on the x-axis that we'll get the smaller score, so which means that if you want to have the minimum for the carbon footprint-- of course, for the given constraints, we are looking for the longest span with the biggest girder type.

And what was really interesting in this case, of course, we have only two studies with some random numbers, but the space evenly method didn't hit the optimum. So there was the slight difference in the score between the best value from the space evenly method and the only one that we got from the optimum. And it was due to the number of girders. So optimum gave us 12 girders per span and the space evenly method got us 13.

And once again, let's take a look at the optimization. Let's take a look at the outcomes of the optimization and the optioneering and also the correlation between the CO2 score and the span length and the girder type.

And at the end of the day, we want to have something tangible. We want to have something that we can see and keep on working on, which is basically the bridge 3D model created with the SOFiSTiK Bridge and Infrastructure Modeler.

And the last topic is the digital twin. And we'll take a look where the future might take us.

So the digital twin is, I understand-- we can say I understand because actually this topic is not yet 100% defined. And I'm based on some informations that I find in multiple papers. But it looks that actually the industry is going this way.

So the digital twin is basically the next level of model-based design and maintenance. So if you have already your 3D model, you have already created the drawings, you have already put all of the parameters that you want to have inside, then what you are doing here with it.

So you created the bridge. And you want to use it as long as possible. And you want to use it in as much intelligent way, or as much a smarter way as possible.

So based on the geometric model, we can use the enhanced data. So basically we are putting all of the parameters-- all of the information that you have inside. And you can keep them up to date. It's important that the data is from the current revisions.

And you can also use the in-time monitoring. So you can process all of this data so that the geometric model becomes actually the hub for the information, where you can store it, you can share it. And you can further develop all of the important information about the given assets.

So for example, you can use it for the risk management and predictive maintenance. So if you have the information that the cracks on the bridge are getting too big as the assumptions or the assets allowed, then you can check out the problem before the further damage happens. So this whole process of the creating the network of the digital twin and reaches our information-- let's say processes to get the better and more sustainable infrastructure.

And we can take a look at the projects, or at the bridge, actually, that is already created some years ago in Hamburg in Germany. So it's called Kohlbrandbridge. And it's a cable-stayed bridge with its digital twin. It was built between 1970 and '74, so it's almost hitting its fifties. And it's connecting the highway with the Hamburg harbor. So it's, as previously, the [? Argentinian ?] [? node. ?] It's a really important part of the infrastructure in Hamburg for its industry and connections.

It's about 5.6 kilometers long, and almost 18 meters wide. And its capacity per day is about 30,000 vehicles. So it's [INAUDIBLE] And due to the complex geometry and not the easiest conditions in the harbor, the maintenance of the bridge is the hardest task to do. And it's important. Its important status it takes a lot. It makes it really hard to be replaced. So the bridge has to be healthy for some next years.

As you can see in the video, the inspections and the reparations have been done manually by the skilled workers. But right now, the thing is done a little bit different.

So as I said before, the first part of the digital twin is the 3D model. So this is also one of our reference projects, done also by WTM engineers from Hamburg. And we can see that we have the main span was created or was also modeled as the steel structure, and also created with the multiple ramps and with the [? double-hole ?] cast sections.

The 3D model is right now enriched with the different information sources, which is of course the 3D geometry of the actual structure, the historical documentation and the current documentation of the-- we see some corrosions. There are also the number of different parameters and attributes that is connected to the bridge. And as well the in-time sensors are working constantly to give back the actual data of the bridge for the processes.

And this digital twin, and all of this information in process is processed to create so-called digital twin of the Kohlbrandbridge.

So this is the project from Smart bridge Hamburg. And this is the award winning project that really is showing us how the technology can really help us to create better projects, better outcomes and how can we maintain the existing infrastructure so it can serve us longer.

So this is the-- right now we can see the small video from smartBRIDGE Hamburg, where we can see that the geometrical model was connected with the tons of data that is processed in time and where you can get all of the information and you can say, predict the future. So you can take care of the problems before they even appear. And this bridge also, this whole project, the digital twin project, helps to made alive the Kohlbrandbridge in the digital world, to keep it in life in the physical world. And this is the real example of one of the most important examples, for me, how really we can use the technology for the maintenance of the infrastructure and the sustainable world.

So this was all from my side for today. I hope you enjoyed it. And thank you again for your attendance. And if you would like to, if you have interest in one of our solutions, if you would like to know more about the digital bridges and the digital infrastructure, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us and see you around. Thank you and have a nice day.