Challenge
MSE Engenharia, a Paraná-based industrial engineering firm, needed to design a tree-shaped steel structure in Londrina to support photovoltaic panels — combining structural integrity with aesthetic intent under wind loads. The team also regularly handles large-scale industrial structures involving steel-concrete combinations, second-order analysis, and joint verification under tight deadlines.
Previously, their software lacked a Revit interface, forcing engineers to reenter data manually between the design and analysis phases. Lost cross-section data, version mismatches, and duplicated effort were a constant drain on project time.
Solution
Victor Luis de Oliveira and Carlos Eduardo Amaral Nicacio adopted RFEM 6, integrating it directly with Revit as the backbone of their BIM workflow. Conceptual modeling happens in Revit, then imports into RFEM for analysis, then exports back to Revit for documentation. The Steel Joints add-on handles connection design in the same model — including the solar tree's column base and full wind load analysis — eliminating the data loss and rework of their previous approach.
Advantages
- Seamless BIM round-trip: The Revit–RFEM interface transfers cross-sections and geometry accurately in both directions, eliminating reentry and version conflicts.
- All-in-one design environment: Steel joint verification happens in the same model, removing the risk of outdated data being used for connection calculations.
- Confidence in second-order analysis: RFEM's P-Delta and imperfection handling deliver reliable results on geometrically complex industrial buildings.
- New design capabilities: The team is expanding into aluminum and steel plate design, with timber structures planned next.
- Responsive support: The Dlubal team in Argentina provides fast, expert assistance whenever needed.
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