Design calcs and analysis workflows
Engineering calculations, analysis and design software workflows.
11 workflows · updated
Conventional automation Keep engineering calcs organized, checkable and reusable in a calc platform
Calculation management tools put calcs in a shared, versioned workspace; an AI assistant can draft the narrative and check units.
Conventional automation Generate electrical and raceway routing options in the model
Spatial AI tools aim to automate building system design such as electrical routing.
Conventional automation Run non-standard steel connection checks in connection design software
Connection design software checks steel connections and concrete details against AISC, Eurocode and other standards.
Conventional automation Run quick structural analysis in browser-based software
Browser-based structural analysis and design software covers frames, beams and member design.
Conventional automation Size simple beams, joists and posts in member calc software
Calculation platforms provide reviewable, traceable member calcs with standards built in.
AI assists Extract connection data from steel shop drawings into a spreadsheet with an AI skill
Write a step-by-step extraction skill, run an AI model over the shop drawing set, and verify every cell with cross-checks such as plate weight from geometry vs. the bill of materials. In our own trial on 21 connections (273 values), the best model run matched 268 of 273 values (98%) against the verified answers; verification rules made the biggest difference.
Conventional automation Build a transparent, tested Excel calc for a repeatable connection check
Generate an unlocked spreadsheet from a script, cite spec section numbers next to every formula, and test it against an independent hand calc so the workbook can be reviewed instead of trusted as a black box.
Conventional automation Back-calculate submittal due dates from the schedule and send a weekly due-soon list
Join the submittal log to schedule activities, subtract lead time and review time from the need-on-site date, and email the team a list of submittals that must move in the next two weeks.
AI assists Turn a PDF calc package into a working, checkable spreadsheet
Use an AI coding assistant to rebuild a PDF calculation package (for example a connection plate redesign) as a spreadsheet: inputs in highlighted cells, then one check per block (gross yielding, rupture, combined axial and bending, buckling, block shear), each matched to the PDF value.
AI assists Plan a study of a tank wall where an opening was added after design
When an access opening is cut into a tank shell after design and the shell deforms near it, use AI research to gather reinforcement approaches, then plan a shell finite element comparison (no opening, as-built opening, proposed reinforcement) checked against hand hoop-stress calcs.
Conventional automation Build panel schedules and load calcs in Excel and link them into AutoCAD
Keep panel schedules and the load calc in one Excel workbook, apply demand factors from a load-type column, and use AutoCAD Data Link so the drawing table updates when the spreadsheet changes.