THE IDEA AND THE CONCEPT
The design activity begins with customer request, who supplies first documentation concerning the project (drawings, terms of contract, handmade sketches, and so on). Usually it is about an architectural project, in which works to be realised are developed at a very preliminary level. It is then very important to understand, starting from talks with customers and architects, which result is expected in terms of performances, technology, design. Analogous importance has the information about foreseen budget for the work.
The first phase includes then development of the CONCEPT, i.e. the study of solutions to propose, with the first drawings. Usually this phase consists of three-dimensional schemes, simplified renderings, with preliminary details or handmade sketches.
All of it is accompanied by preliminary measuring, with rough estimate of costs.
To explain technical solutions three-dimensional drawings are fundamental, especially with exploded schemes of node and mechanical junctions. All this, with customer feedback, leads to a PRELIMINARY project, in which there are already detected general dimensional characteristics of the work.
THE STRUCTURAL ANALYSES
An absolutely fundamental phase of the project is structural analyses, in other words the study of the static behaviour of the structure under the action of permanent and variable cargoes to which the structure is subject (wind, snow, earthquake).
For this activity, we use sophisticated specialized software of calculation with which a "model" of the structure is created, i.e. a virtual reproduction extremely accurate and detailed, that supplies the deformations under the project load and the stress state of the sections.
In this way, the structural components of the construction are measured and optimised. As well as the study of the complete model of the structure, the finite element method (f.e.m.) is carried out for the structural details, for example the bolted nodes of beams junction.
THE DYNAMIC ANALYSES
In addition to the "normal" analysis, i.e. static structural analyses, dynamic analyses are also carried out, to study the oscillation of the structures under the action of earthquake or wind.
For example, in case of the arches of the “EVOLUTION TOWER” the dynamic analysis has highlighted that wind could cause resonance phenomena, therefore it has been decided to install a TUNED MASS DAMPER inside the arch 2
THE EXECUTIVE DRAWINGS
At this point the definition of the project is at an advanced level, therefore there can be developed the EXECUTIVE drawings, which include general sights, perspective drawings, sections, structural details, and describe completely all the components of the work, from the structural sides to the covering, in glass or other materials, up to the special components, for example possible mobile parts.
Normally the EXECUTIVE drawings have the purpose of illustrating the project in a complete and exhaustive way, so that the customer is able to give a final approval.
THE STRUCTURAL DRAWINGS
At this point it is possible to pass to the phase of carrying out the work; the STRUCTURAL drawings and the shop drawings are needed. These can be drawings "of workshop" for the construction of metal carpentry.
Or these are ABACI for the manufacture of glass plates or other types of panel wall.
Actually, the main software used by technical office of ST Facade Technology are:
Design 2D and 3D design
Autodesk Autocad, Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Revit, Naviswork, SolidWorks, Tekla Structures, Catia V5, Rhinoceros.
Engineering
Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis, Mepla, Therm, EdilClima.
Project Management
Microsoft Project, Oracle Primavera, Microsoft Office, BIM 360.
