Develop StructAI: Automated Structural Design System

StructAI – Full Application Concept and Workflow StructAI is a mobile-first web application designed to automate the preliminary structural design of low-rise reinforced concrete buildings by integrating urban planning logic, structural modeling, ETABS analysis, AutoCAD documentation, and SAFE verification into a single intelligent workflow. The goal of the application is to allow a user to define a site and building concept through a simple interface, and then automatically generate a context-aware structural design package without manual modeling. ⸻ User Interface and Project Input The application begins with a step-by-step interface where the user enters project data. The app collects: • Location and city • District or context type (heritage, dense urban, suburban, coastal, etc.) • Map position or site image • Plot dimensions and setbacks • Building height and number of floors • Structural system selection • Loads and soil conditions This interface is designed to be simple and accessible, allowing non-experts to initiate a structural design workflow. ⸻ Urban Planning and Exterior Context Module Before structural modeling begins, the system interprets the location and generates an “imaginary building” concept based on urban planning rules and the character of the place. The system analyses: • cultural surroundings • historical significance • urban density • environmental conditions • zoning and planning restrictions For example: • Sites near heritage areas (such as historic landmarks) result in conservative layouts, lower heights, regular structural grids, and symmetrical configurations. • Dense city environments lead to compact footprints and vertical efficiency. • Modern districts allow wider spans and flexible layouts. • Suburban areas allow lower density and adaptable building placement. The system does not design architectural decoration; instead, it translates the identity and aesthetic character of the location into structural planning constraints such as: • height limits • footprint size • orientation • column spacing rules • grid regularity • structural symmetry This stage generates a conceptual building mass and layout that fits the urban context and becomes the base geometry for structural modeling. ⸻ Structural Modeling and ETABS Automation After the urban planning stage, the system automatically converts the conceptual building into a structural model using ETABS through its official API. The backend launches ETABS and performs: • grid and storey generation • column, beam, slab, and shear wall creation • material and section assignment • load definition and combinations • structural analysis • reinforced concrete design ETABS calculates: • member forces • column and beam sizes • reinforcement requirements • structural behavior and performance The ETABS model becomes the core engineering output of the system. ⸻ AutoCAD Integration – Structural Plans and Documentation Once the structural design is completed in ETABS, the system transfers structural geometry and design data into AutoCAD to generate professional engineering drawings. AutoCAD automatically produces: • column layout plans • beam layout plans • slab layouts • grid drawings • reinforcement schedules These drawings are exported as structural PDF plans suitable for documentation and visualization. ⸻ SAFE Integration – Serviceability and Deflection Verification To ensure performance and serviceability, slab and foundation data are transferred from ETABS to SAFE. SAFE is used to: • check slab deflection • analyze foundation behavior • verify punching shear • confirm serviceability conditions SAFE generates: • deflection reports • slab verification results • foundation performance outputs ⸻ Backend Workflow and API Integration The app communicates with the engineering software through a backend system. The workflow is: 1. User enters project data in the app 2. The app sends inputs to the backend via API 3. The backend processes urban planning logic 4. ETABS automation generates the structural model and design 5. AutoCAD produces structural drawings and PDF plans 6. SAFE verifies slab and foundation behavior 7. Results are collected and stored 8. The app displays progress and enables downloads ⸻ Results Delivered to the User The final outputs provided through the app include: • structural PDF plans from AutoCAD • reinforcement schedules • structural design reports • ETABS structural model • SAFE verification outputs The user can download all deliverables directly from the application. ⸻ Role of the Application The app serves as: • the user interface for project definition • the control system coordinating all software • the platform for viewing progress and downloading outputs All engineering calculations are performed by ETABS, AutoCAD, and SAFE, while the application orchestrates the workflow and automates the design process. ⸻ Objective of the Project The project demonstrates how automation and intelligent workflows can combine: • urban planning context • exterior environment interpretation • structural modeling • ETABS analysis and design • AutoCAD documentation • SAFE serviceability verification into a single integrated system capable of generating preliminary structural designs aligned with the identity, constraints, and planning character of a specific location. The system does not replace structural engineers but enhances productivity by automating repetitive modeling, improving early-stage decision-making, and accelerating structural design workflows.