From Load Calculation to Finished Report in Minutes
Run standard load combinations, see the worst-case results at every point, and export a professional report — all without leaving your building model.
The Problem
Structural analysis is a multi-tool process. You design in your modeling software, export geometry to a structural analysis program, re-enter loads, run the analysis, take screenshots of the results, and paste them into a report template. Every design change means repeating the entire process. Comparing design options means running each one separately — there is no easy way to see which load combination governs across all scenarios.
The old way: export beam geometry from your modeling tool, import it into your structural analysis software, re-enter the loads (because they do not transfer), define load cases and combinations by hand, run the analysis, take screenshots of the moment and shear diagrams, paste them into a document, type up the load table by hand, and try to avoid transcription errors along the way. The process takes 4 to 6 hours per beam and repeats for every design change.
- 1
Select the beam in the model
Click any beam in the 3D viewer. Its geometry, material, and section properties are already there — no re-entry needed.
- 2
Define load cases
Create named load cases (dead, live, wind, seismic, snow) with their loads. Loads are assigned to positions on the beam — point loads, distributed loads, triangular loads, and moments.
- 3
Run load combinations
Click "Compute Envelope" and ApexBIM runs all the standard strength-based (LRFD) or allowable-stress (ASD) load combinations automatically. It shows the worst-case moment and shear at every point along the beam and tells you which combination is in control.
- 4
Export the report
Click "Export Report" and choose a document or spreadsheet format. The report includes project info, beam properties, load tables, results, and diagrams — ready for review or submission. No more taking screenshots or copying and pasting.
The Outcome
A structural analysis report that used to take 4 hours now takes about 5 minutes, based on customer reports. Every design change can be re-analyzed in seconds, so you can evaluate far more design options. The report comes from the same model the architect is using — no geometry transfer errors.
Results
Features Used
ApexBIM capabilities that power this workflow.
Related use cases
Who this helps
This use case is relevant to the following roles:
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