Prototype: Using Table Input in SCIA Engineer

Table input in SCIA Engineer is a tool that allows modelling parametrically in Excel and then import such structure in the SCIA Engineer to finalize and analyze the model.

We have developed a way how to work efficiently in Excel to produce models with thousands of beams and slabs fast. When Excel is established, the model may need some manual changes, but with every new project we automate things more and leave less items to be necessary to modify manually. Such model we are able to create in a few hours, based on the complexity of the cross-section and the design details.

Table input I find as a great tool for creating design variants of single bridges - in Excel it is easy to define the longitudinal shape of the structure, set up longitudinal discretization and to import and quickly update the structure. For using for multiple different structure designs, we feel some of its limits, especially if even a general topology parameter changes (i.e. number of spans). 

Table Input was used for most of our projects so far, the Kralupy Bridge, Troja footbridge, Sázava footbridge and Cooling tower modeller is also based on Table Input.