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UK office of IDEA StatiCa s.r.o.
Email:Β info@ideastatica.uk
Phone: +44 (0) 20 3579 9397

About IDEA StatiCa

We develop software for structural engineers and detailers. Our development team researches, tests, and applies new methods of analyzing the behaviour of structures and their members. Based on this, we created IDEA StatiCa – software that enables engineers to work faster, evaluate requirements of the national code thoroughly, and use the optimal amount of material. For us, creating software is a way to contribute to making every new construction around the world safer and cheaper.

Idea StatiCa Resellers

BIM and IDEA StatiCa: Towards Seamless Collaboration in Structural Engineering

Building Information Modelling, widely known as BIM, is a collaborative process centred on a 3D model of a structure. This digital representation carries up-to-date information about the geometry, materials, and construction process. By fusing data from various disciplines, BIM enables early-stage collaboration between architects, engineers, and contractors in order to minimise errors and optimise designs. Beyond construction, these models can be continuously updated to support operations, maintenance, repairs, and eventual replacements, offering long-term value.Β 

 

While senior engineers acknowledge the potential of BIM – especially as governments worldwide push for its adoption – they often raise concerns about practical challenges. Research shows that the barriers vary regionally, but the key issues include:Β 

  • Interoperability challenges – the difficulty of ensuring software platforms communicate seamlessly.Β 
  • Lack of standardised tools and protocols – which complicates workflows across disciplines.Β 
  • Data ownership concerns – uncertainties about who controls and has access to critical project data.Β 

 

For structural engineers specifically, there are additional hurdles to overcome in BIM workflows, including:Β 

  • The need for analytical models, which often differ significantly from the geometric representations used in architectural designs.Β 
  • Managing additional data such as loads, combinations, finite element meshes, and analysis results.Β 

 

BuildingSMART, the global authority driving digital transformation in the built environment, developed the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) format. This open standard, now ISO 16739-1:2024, has become the backbone of many BIM workflows, ensuring consistency and interoperability across platforms. Yet, even IFC has limitations. While it addresses some challenges, it does not fully resolve the issues structural engineers face. Its evolution has also been slow, with IFC 5 still under development.Β 

 

 

This is where IDEA StatiCa steps in. Our mission is to enhance collaboration for structural engineers, and our flagship contribution to BIM workflows is Checkbot. This free tool facilitates the sharing of entire structural engineering models or specific parts, bridging the gaps left by other tools. With 43 supported integrations (and counting), thanks to our open API, Checkbot enables interoperability across platforms – whether maintained internally or by third parties.Β 

 

For structural engineers, Checkbot directly addresses key challenges by:Β 

  • Allowing the distribution of analysis models that differ from the geometric representations used by architects and mechanical engineers.Β 
  • Handling additional data, such as loads, combinations, and analysis results, in a manner tailored to structural engineering workflows, accelerating the design process for connections and members.Β 

 

Checkbot extracts this data and shares it as a ZIP file with stakeholders. An online viewer allows teams to view geometric representations of subgroups without exposing the full dataset, easing concerns over data ownership and confidentiality. Finalised models can also be exported as IFC files and used as references in CAD platforms that support them.Β 

 

The current capabilities of Checkbot are just the beginning. At IDEA StatiCa, we’re committed to further improving structural engineering workflows, and we’re committed to expanding our role in shaping seamless BIM collaboration.Β 

 

The future of BIM is bright – and we’re thrilled to be part of the journey.Β 

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