MIDAS CIVIL NX BIM link for steel connection design

1 Activation 

Since version midas Civil NX 2024 and newer, the API has been added, and due to this new possibility, the new link to IDEA Statica Checkbot was created.

In the following figures, you can see how to activate the link.

Press YES when the User Account Control asks for permission to make changes to your device.

Install midas Civil NX BIM link.

Subsequently, the new icon appears on the Desktop.

Now run midas Civil NX and open the new or existing project.

In the ribbon, in the last tab APPs, there is API Settings, where the Base URL and MAPI-Key are given. The MAPI-Key is unique for every user and shouldn´t be shared with others. The Copy button can be used to copy them. 

Connect to the API. 

The API is connected when the Tab changed to "Disconnect".

Open the IDEA to MIDAS CIVIL NX Integration Tool from the Desktop and paste the copied Base URL and MAPI Key from your opened MIDAS CIVIL NX project (1). Then, Validate (2) and connect to Civil NX (3). After that, Start Checkbot (4).

Select path to active MIDAS CIVIL NX file and open it. Both .mcb and .mcbz file formats can be chosen.

Create the New project in Checkbot.

The Chekbot folder is created in the same folder as the MIDAS CIVIL NX project.

2 Export

At first, run the linear analysis to get the internal forces. After analysis, go to the menu tree where will be available Export-->IDEA File.   

Select the path where will be saved the mct. and mid. files. Both files are necessary to have in the same folder. Otherwise, the import to IDEA StatiCa BIM won't be accessible.    

3 Import

Launch IDEA StatiCa application and move to BIM part. Press the Import from other programs and select the Tut 4 Arch Bridge -BD37. The selection of the .mct file will be allowed if you scroll down the menu of supported FEM programs and select Midas mct Files(.mct).

You can sort the design members into groups. It's suitable from the design point of view. The members assigned to one group are checked at the same time. 

4 Result Classes

The Result class tab serves for selecting combinations that will be included in the code-check. The envelopes from the Moving load analysis will be deleted. The moving load is included in the combination LCB1 as the static load cases generated in the Midas Civil.   

5 Connection Design

Select node N16 using the New button in the ribbon. The node is located between members 24 and 25. There is also the option to select more than one. You will work with only one node (joint).

Address the name of the joint for saving and run the application IDEA StatiCa Connection by using the Design button in the ribbon. 

6 Design

The connection is in equilibrium. This is an important step for controlling and correctness of your model. Using Propose button in Connection Browser you can import the template which is suitable for your topology.

The predefined template in IDEA StatiCa set, which will be used for design, is available for selection.

Perspective transparent view with manufacturing operations introduces the designed connection.

7 Check

Run the analysis. You will obtain results in all components as plates, welds, bolts, and equations according to the code where all results are described.

Let's look at the equivalent stress on the plates turned on the mesh and deformed shape with the tab where are sorted out the stresses gradually from the maximum to minimum.  

7 Report

Next, go to the tab Report. IDEA StatiCa offers a fully customizable report to print out or save in an editable format. The printed-out format can be PDF and doc. file.

Known limitations

Midas Civil is a powerful tool for the calculation of envelopes from moving load or settlement analysis. IDEA StatiCa Connection cannot work with the envelopes from Midas Civil. If you want to do the code - check the combinations with the impact of moving load, there is important to create a static load case from the moving load analysis.     

Static load case from moving load

For the actual combination LCB1 imposed in the Midas Civil and also in IDEA StatiCa Connection was selected static load case for node 16 and maximal bending moment My on the member 24.