Every steel structure we realise is created on the drawing board in the engineering department. Here, our engineers work together on efficient, innovative and technically feasible designs, which at the same time meet the highest requirements in the field of safety, quality and sustainability. With each design, they take on the challenge of solving the most complex issues.
Besides Structural, Detail and Project Engineers, the team consists of a Programmer and a Lead Engineer, who supervises the large projects. Erik Baan (Group Leader Engineering) tells more about the activities: "For most projects, we make the detailed calculations of the steel structure. For the projects of our colleagues from Voortman Design & Build, we also often make the main calculations. Occasionally, we also do this for third parties."
Our engineers work with various 3D software packages, such as Dlubal RFEM, IDEA StatiCa and Tekla Structures. Erik: "Our programmer designs software tools for each project that our modellers, production and calculation use, such as tools for modelling commonly used connections. He has also developed a tool which, after selecting the steel in the model, shows immediately the corresponding production time."
Once the Structural Engineer and Project Engineer have completed the detailed calculation and model, they send it to the client for review. After they have processed the client's comments, the model is final. Erik says: "We then work out the assembly plans and, in consultation with Assembly, determine the phasing, i.e. the order in which the steel is assembled. For each phase, we make the 3D drawings and the list of bolts and nuts for our assembly teams." Model sharing enables all colleagues involved in the project to see the model.
"We subject the final model to a clash check with Solibri Model Checker. We check the welds and connections and the size of the bolts, among other things. This way, we make sure that the design is completely correct," Erik explains. After the clash check, our engineering colleagues make the workshop drawings and prepare the model for production. Erik adds: "We also prepare the production and order lists, based on the data in the 3D model, and the NC (Numerical Control) files used to control the machines. Finally, we create an IFC model* and export it from Tekla to Trimble Connect, so that our assembly teams on site can work with it from their tablets."
At Severfield , we are always looking for ways to further improve our operations, also in the field of engineering. Erik gives an example: "A new development is the use of the HoloLens in combination with Tekla Structures, which we are currently testing. We send model data from Tekla Structures to the HoloLens. Based on this data, we check welds and joints with the HoloLens in the workshop." Initial experiences are positive: this working method offers many opportunities to further improve the quality of our steel structures.
*Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) is a file format for exchanging and sharing specific BIM information