Description
Tekla Structures numbering is sort of binary answer to tell if 2 cast units are the same or different. It cannot tell if they are "similar". Why "similar" is important because to clone drawing, this is a requirement (or limitation if you would like) by Tekla Structures. If there are a large number of "similar" cast units, clone drawing can be a trial and error process.
This app can compare if 2 or more cast units are similar or the same. "Similar" is defined as > 80% (an arbitrary number in the codes) the "same" based on geometric/mathematical algorithm. If they are "similar" , clone drawing should work as promised by Tekla Structures.
To go one step further, this app also outputs the result to "Compare Cast Unit.csv" for further man hours analysis. Once the data is in Excel format, company can then use it to do a mathematical analysis of man hours.
Problem that app solves
"Similar" is a concept that can be easily understood by human. For a 1-man project, the person knows precisely what cast units are similar to each other and therefore make good use clone drawing and save man hours.
However, nowadays projects are executed in very sophisticated ways even for simple projects in the sense that many stakeholders will get involved. Each stakeholder may have his specialized task such as design, modeling, detailing, shop drawing, review, man-hour analysis, fabrication, project review, company productivity review, bidding for new projects, etc using model-centric approach.
This app converts the concept of "similar" into mathematical value from 0%-100%. Arbitrarily, if the value is > 80%, they are considered as 1 group so that the whole group can be managed in the same way thus increase productivity. The the app segregate the things into different groups and finally output the result into .csv file.
Once the data is in Excel format, manager can then do various analysis which align with the company goal.
Feedback
The algorithm to translate "similar" into a mathematical value is debatable. I would like to see some real cases where we think 2 cast units are similar but then the app tells the otherwise. Or we think that 2 cast units are NOT similar but then the app tells the otherwise.
Also the app is developed for reinforced concrete in mind. For steel, because it has its only unique characteristics and therefore some changes in algorithm are expected for it to work best.
Source code
Download the source code here ›
Submitted by
Kelvin Ng, Eastern Pretech Pte. Ltd., Singapore
About the company - Eastern Pretech Pte. Ltd.
Incorporated since 1982, EP is the market leader with the benefit of its long operating history and successful track record of delivering quality products and superior services. The Group has manufacturing facilities in Malaysia, United Arab Emirates and Finland.
Its well-established reputation in being able to provide premium quality products and value-added design services has enabled it to be recognised as the “Precaster of Choice”, especially for fast track, large-scale precast projects with a high level of technical design know-how. Over the years, the Group has cemented strong relationships with property developers, architects, engineers, designers and contractors.
EP Group’s proven industry track record is backed by sound corporate business philosophy of Singapore’s SGX-listed NSL Ltd. NSL and its group of companies is a leading industrial group in Asia Pacific. The Group has two main businesses: Precast and PBU and Environmental Services. It has operations and joint-ventures in 8 countries and has been listed on the SGX since 1964.
