Structural analysis of a buidling using Robot Structural Analysis

1) What are HVAC systems? Why are they essential in the modeling of buildings

Solution: HVAC Systems:

HVAC systems are responsible for the regulation of heat, airflow, ventilation, and air conditioning of an entire building. You won't see
the machines when you enter the building but you will most certainly feel the effects of a comfortable and well-ventilated workplace.

Here are some of the top reasons why business owners opt to have reliable HVAC systems in place for their office buildings.

• HVAC systems control the overall climate in the building. They also make the proper adjustments whenever we experience
  changes in outdoor temperature.
• During the winter season, the HVAC systems (mainly the boilers or heaters) work to keep the indoor temperature at a
  comfortable level.
• In hotter times of the season, the HVAC systems regulate air temperature by providing the necessary cooling to keep the entire
  building comfortable.
• Having a comfortable office climate increases the level of productivity and increases morale amongst the workers and
  employees.
• If you let your people work in settings conducive for work, they will surely be motivated to perform better because they feel
  good in their work environment.
• No employee will enjoy working in an office where it is freezing, or in an office where you frequently have to ignore your
  perspiration just to focus on your computer screen.
• Having a proper HVAC system installed is guaranteed to make your employees happy, hence, giving you better work results in
  return.
• HVAC systems not only regulate the temperature inside the building, they also improve the quality of air.
• The quality of air pertains to humidity, and a typical HVAC system will reduce the amount of humidity in the air so your workers
  and employees can continue enjoying a cozy and pleasant atmosphere at work.
• Proper HVAC systems are a worthy investment for any business or building owner because it gives you energy savings.
• HVAC systems today are automated, which means you no longer have to manually adjust the temperature settings or the time
  settings of each machine.

2) From week 7 assignment, based on the building designed use the same Revit file to design a HVAC system for each floor to cover the topics included in the class.
a. Typical HVAC unit includes Distribution center
b. Collector
c. Ducts
d. Blower

Solution:

Aim: Based on the building designed in the last week, use the same Revit file to design a HVAC system for each floor to cover the topics included in the class.

Procedure:

1. Open a new revit file in mechanical template.

2. Go to manage links tool and link the architectural model with this model.

3. Add the compenents such as supply diffusers, air-handling unit, ducts and flux ducts that constitute the HVAC system at the cieling level.

Result:

The desired components have been added to the school model designed last week.

3) Use the add-ins tab to load plug-ins for robot structural analysis to your Revit software

Solution:

Aim: To use the add-ins tab to load plug-ins for robot structural analysis to your Revit software

Procedure:

1. Go to the autodesk store icon displayed at the top right of the revit toolbar.

2. Sign into the autodesk site and install robot structural analysis.

3. After installation reopen the Revit software.

4. Under the analyse tab, check for Robot Structural Analysis icon.

Result:

Robot Structural Analysis tool is successfully installed.

4) Why do we need to assess buildings/analyze while modeling elements? Does design affect modeling in anyways?

Solution:

Structural analysis is the process of calculating the forces, moments and deflections to which the members in a structure are to be subjected. There is a vast range of analysis tools offering speed, precision and economy of design. 3-D, FE modelling, bespoke portal frame, cellular beam or plate girder design software are now widely available. Modelling catenary actions, cold formed member performance or grillage analysis - all these are now commonplace for structures, where hand analysis is impossible. Increasingly sophisticated analysis methods continue to improve the accuracy with which the behaviour of structures can be predicted.

To perform an accurate analysis a structural engineer must determine information such as structural loads, geometry, support conditions, and material properties. The results of such an analysis typically include support reactions, stresses and displacements. This information is then compared to criteria that indicate the conditions of failure. Advanced structural analysis may examine dynamic response, stability and non-linear behavior. There are three approaches to the analysis: the mechanics of materials approach (also known as strength of materials), the elasticity theory approach (which is actually a special case of the more general field of continuum mechanism), and the finite elements approach. The first two make use of analytical formulations which apply mostly simple linear elastic models, leading to closed-form solutions, and can often be solved by hand. The finite element approach is actually a numerical method for solving differential equations generated by theories of mechanics such as elasticity theory and strength of materials. However, the finite-element method depends heavily on the processing power of computers and is more applicable to structures of arbitrary size and complexity.

5) From the structural model developed in week 6 and 7, export the complete analytical model to robot structural analysis.
a. List your assumptions on what boundary conditions will be realistic for the analysis approach
b. Use the design standards to decide what loads must be applied to floorings based on the type of structure decided
c. List the load combinations and include them in the analysis model
d. Analyze the building and report the following results
i. Maximum Moment in each floor for all Load Combinations
ii. Maximum Displacement in each floor for all Load combinations
iii. Lateral Displacement in building for all Lateral Load combinations
e. After analysis, do you think you have a better approach or idea in modeling structural members?

Solution:

Aim: To carry out structural analysis using robot structural analysis.

Robot Structural Analysis Professional is structural load analysis software that verifies code compliance and uses BIM-integrated
workflows to exchange data with Revit. It can help you to create more resilient, constructible designs that are accurate, coordinated, and connected to BIM.

Procedure:

1. Open the structural model created in week 6.

2. Go to the 3D analytical view.

3. Under the manage tab, go to the structural settings.

4. Assign the load combinations as per requirement.(IS 456:2000)

5. Under the analyse tab, select proper boundary conditions and loads and assign area load.

6. Then, select the robot structural analysis tool and select robot structural analysis link.

7. Wait until the model is exported and then under the results tab, select diagrams for members.

8. Select reactions and check the reactions.

Result: The structural analysis using Robot Structural Analysis is complete.

6) What is energy analysis and why do we need to consider it while modeling in Revit?

How does the factor of sustainability improve the quality of your design?

Solution:

Perform energy analysis on the building design through all stages, from the earliest conceptual phase through detailed design, to ensure
that you are constantly working towards the most energy efficient building possible. Energy simulation can help you analyze the movement
of energy in, out, and through the rooms and volumes in a building model. This information can help designers make better informed, cost-
effective decisions that improve the performance and reduce the environmental impact of buildings.Whole building energy simulation
measures expected energy use (fuel and electricity) based on the building's geometry, climate, building type, envelope properties, and
active systems (HVAC & Lighting). It takes into account the interdependencies of the building as a whole system. Use Energy Analysis to
perform energy simulation for conceptual forms and detailed architectural models created in Revit. Use the simulation results to understand
building energy use. Then iterate the designs to improve their sustainability ratings.The energy model created from the Revit building model
can be displayed in Revit, so you can view and validate the energy model used for analysis. The energy model can also be exported to third-
party applications for further analysis in a variety of common formats: gbXML, DOE2, and EnergyPlus.

Sustainable design deals with the philosophy of having built and designed objects, buildings, environments and services that conforms with
the many principles of ecological sustainability. This includes maintaining change in a homeostatic environment where the use of resources,
inclination of investments, and the direction of development are balanced and meet the current and future needs of humanity. Simply put,
sustainable design represents development that not only meets the needs of the present but does so without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs. Ways to approach sustainable design include utilizing sustainable chemical engineering,
responsible resource management, and holistic environmental protection.