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What is BIM / IFC Compliance in StatiCAD Useful for in Practice

BIM/IFC compliance transforms the software from a closed tool that only "performs calculations" into a tool capable of exchanging models with architectural, structural, MEP and other applications.

Practical use cases are as follows:

1. Importing the structural system from an architectural model faster​

If the architect's BIM model contains information such as columns, shear walls, slabs, beams, storey levels and grid lines, the structural program can import these via IFC.

This allows the engineer, instead of drawing everything from scratch, to read from the model:

  • storey heights,
  • column/shear wall locations,
  • slab boundaries,
  • some beam and wall geometries.

However, one important point: the model imported from IFC is often not a ready-to-use analysis model. The structural engineer still needs to perform cleanup, idealization and verification.

2. Sharing the structural model with other disciplines​

Elements such as columns, beams, shear walls, slabs and foundations produced by the structural program can be exported as IFC. This allows architects or coordination teams to view the structural model in environments such as Revit, Archicad, Tekla, Solibri, BIMcollab and Navisworks.

This is especially useful for checking:

  • does a column conflict with an architectural space?
  • does a shear wall conflict with a door/window?
  • does a beam obstruct an MEP duct?
  • are slab openings in the correct location?
  • is the foundation model compatible with other disciplines?

3. Clash detection​

Thanks to IFC compliance, the structural model can be checked together with mechanical and electrical models in a common BIM environment.

For example, errors such as:

  • an air duct passing through a beam,
  • a pipe clashing with a shear wall,
  • an elevator shaft being incorrectly placed in the structural model,
  • an architectural opening not matching the structural opening,

can be caught before going to the construction site.

4. Convenience for quantity take-off and estimation​

If the element information in the IFC model is transferred correctly, quantities such as column/beam/slab/shear wall amounts, concrete volume and formwork area can be extracted more systematically.

However, caution is needed here too:
The analysis model and the quantity take-off model may not have the same level of detail. For example, a slab defined as a shell element in the analysis model may require different detailing for quantity take-off purposes.

5. Revision tracking​

When the architectural model changes, IFC comparison makes it easier to identify differences such as:

  • a column has been relocated,
  • a grid line has shifted,
  • a storey height has changed,
  • a new opening has been introduced,
  • a shear wall has been removed,
  • a slab boundary has changed.

This reduces the manual checking workload, especially in large projects.

6. Reduces redundant drawing​

In a workflow without BIM/IFC support, the architectural model, structural model and construction model are all drawn separately. The same information is processed multiple times with each revision.

IFC compliance can reduce this duplication. It does not eliminate it entirely, because structural analysis models always require engineering assumptions; but it can save significant time.

7. Archiving and software independence​

IFC is an open data format. The project is not tied to the file format of a single commercial software. In the long term, it becomes more feasible to open, review or archive the model in different software packages.

The most important distinction​

In structural programs there are two different models:

Physical BIM model:
The geometric model of actual building elements such as columns, beams, slabs and shear walls.

Analysis model:
The calculation model containing engineering assumptions such as bars, shells, supports, rigid diaphragms, loads, load combinations, hinges and connections.

IFC generally transfers the physical model well.
However, it does not always transfer the analysis model, loads, load combinations, code settings and reinforcement design decisions completely.

For this reason, in practice IFC compliance provides:

"Share the model, coordinate, detect clashes, track revisions; but perform engineering calculations by checking within the structural program itself."

In short: BIM/IFC compliance in a structural program improves project coordination, data exchange, revision tracking and inter-disciplinary communication rather than directly enhancing calculation quality.