Checkbot: BIM for structural engineers exists!

For structural engineers, connection designers, detailers, and checkers, clear and accurate communication is key to avoiding costly errors in the connection design process. IDEA StatiCa offers a suite of free tools that help you achieve this without the need for manual data re-entry. Finally, a BIM tool for structural engineers is available to all!

Checkbot is the essential tool for efficiently managing and sharing structural design data. Whether working with FEA or CAD models, Checkbot integrates both into one hub, enabling Checkers, Engineers of Record (EORs), Detailers, and Connection Designers to collaborate without the hassle of back-and-forth exchanges.

With Checkbot, large projects are simplified. Multiple connections can be reviewed simultaneously, allowing you to clearly see structural relations and export connections in their original positions for accurate communication and verification.

Checkbot ready for BIG projects

Checkbot handles large data sets, enabling the transfer of hundreds of members with numerous load combinations in a reasonable time. Engineers can share their work securely and for free, without risking exposure of intellectual property or analysis models.

Multi-selection and multi-editing in Checkbot
Export multiple connection files at once

Quicker import of bigger structures - 1000 nodes are not an issue

Does the envelope of internal forces always cover the critical case?

Not always. While it's common to use envelope forces for loading connection details, it's not always the most efficient or accurate method. Often, neither the maximum nor minimum forces are the most critical for anchors.

The BIM tool for all structural engineers

Engineers of Record (EORs)

For EORs, Checkbot enables sharing only necessary parts of the analysis model, protecting intellectual property. Critical load cases can be shared to avoid overdesign, ensuring structural integrity without compromising efficiency.

Protect your know-how by sharing only necessary data
Share structural analysis models using direct hyperlinks
Avoid overdesign by using critical load cases instead of blanket forces
Ensure fabricators receive detailed information for project execution

Connection Designers

Checkbot enables Connection Designers to manage multiple connections, import critical data from FEA models, and verify designs using IDEA StatiCa. Designs can then be shared with Detailers or Engineers via direct links or project files.

Handle multiple connections effortlessly using Checkbot’s advanced tools
Import critical load cases into IDEA StatiCa for accurate design
Share verified designs using IFCs or hyperlinks for real-time collaboration
Provide clear, actionable data to other project stakeholders

For Steel Detailers, Checkbot streamlines exporting connection models from CAD tools like Tekla and Revit, eliminating the need for remodeling. Accurate connection data is received directly from Connection Designers, ensuring reliability

Export connection models directly from CAD software such as Tekla and Revit
Avoid remodeling by using accurate IFCs and connection data
Share models for verification and code-checking
Use hyperlinks for real-time collaboration with engineers

Checkers benefit from Checkbot by reviewing and validating connection designs with full visibility into the design context. By using Viewer to see internal forces on members and the load effects at connection points, you can ensure the designs are both safe and efficient. Review the entire connection in 3D, and provide feedback without needing access to the entire structural model.

View internal forces and load effects in Viewer for accurate validation

Review connection designs in 3D using Viewer for a complete understanding
Provide feedback and approval through easy-to-share hyperlinks
Ensure the safety and efficiency of connection designs without needing full model access

Workflows with Checkbot and Viewer serve for plethora of different scenarios in engineering offices and their inter-company communication. Let's take a look at the most typical ones.

EORs send models to Fabricators

"Stop sending envelopes! Trust your forces"

A typical way for quickly transfering internal design forces from the project structural engineer to people dealing with connection designs is through sets of envelope/blanket forces for typical details. This can save some time in communication but also cause a huge material and labor inefficiency. What is even more alarming, the envelopes are not always safe.

Does the envelope always cover all the critical combinations?
An envelope of internal forces is always out of equilibrium and can even miss the decisive load state.
Share your FEA model without compromising your know-how.

Connection designers exchange models with Detailers

"Discuss over digital drawings instead of red marks in PDFs"

Shop and assembly drawings are not always prepared by connection detailers. In many companies, it's more effective to delegate this part to specialized positions. The popular method of info and revision transfer from one desk to another is simply putting hand-written or digital remarks onto PDF printouts. It may be an easy-to-learn method, but it is way too far from being the most efficient one. Is the drawing with remarks better than a 3D synced model? Probably not for huge models with hundreds of connections and for transferring feedback between people not sitting in the same room, building, or even on the same continent.

Steel Connection data is shared via a URL link, IFCs, or via browser-ased Viewer
Detailers can share dozens of connections with their original position in one bulk export
Redmarks in PDF drawings are replaced by a digital structural model

EORs and Checkers can now view the model while reviewing third-party connection designs

"Gain the trust of your proof engineer"

Every structural design should be checked at some point. Is it a structural design team lead, client's checker, EoR, or government office proof engineer? Whoever covers this role, proper and clear inputs are critical. If anything is missed, unnecessary communication is needed, and the whole process slows down. The Checkbot app, in cooperation with cloud-based Viewer, helps you share all the details that could be missing in the calculation reports.

Fill in the missing information from the analysis model
Share your FEA model results without compromising your know-how
Make the EOR and Checker sleep peacefully

Isn't time you insisted that Checkbot and Viewer become the vital link in your workflow?