Structural Calculations, Notes & Process

[StrucPEng]

Hi all,

I wants to get some input and feedback on how everyone works through their design process. Namely a few items and processes I am working through are developing record/project notes, calculations, models, etc. for a given project. Invariably the design/scheme of the project at the start never matches the final product and there are changes, revisions throughout that mold the final product. There is also the different project phases (Schematic Design, Design Development, CD) that may change how these items are handled. How do you all keep track of these in an organized manner so you are not redoing work multiple times. More specifically I am interested in a few areas personally:

- Calculations

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o How do you structure them?

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o How do you handle revisions?

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o How do you file them?
- Mark-ups

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o By hand

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o Bluebeam

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Other means?

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o How do you file them progressively?
- Models/Spreadsheets

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o How do you handle different model changes (member sizes, loading, etc)

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o How do you handle multiple assumptions or design tracks to hit on the most efficient design?

I know these are a lot of questions and I don’t expect full answers but just some insights into everyone’s process. Also I understand that all jobs are different and each situation is unique which calls for modification to our process but in an ideal world what would your process look like.

Thanks in advance for all the input and I look forward to hearing from everyone.

 

[Celt83]

I have a stack of napkin backs on my desk.



...more serious note:
Calculations:
digital calcs are stored in a calculations folder in the job folder and organized by software package then by floor/location.
Hand calcs done on paper - scanned and filed like a digital calc
Hand Calcs OneNote - stored in a project specific OneNote Notebook

One off element calcs:
file names for one off element calculations include the element label, matched to a tag property in the revit element, along with trib width and design pressure or noted as a transfer member so 1B1_6ft_DL25_LL40 or 1B1T_6ft_DL25_LL40_1B3. Revisions to the on off stuff made during the design process just overwrites the original calc 9 times out of 10.
once into construction admin phase a CA sub folder gets added and the file name includes the RFI#,submittal, or very brief descriptoin that generated the calc

Building/Floor Models:
always archived after each document submission (makes reviewing take off change orders a little easier)
Like the one off stuff a CA model gets started from the last design model that way cumulative impacts of changes are captured, like multiple holes added to a mild slab or multiple tendon sets having a bit of extra force in PT slabs.

Mark ups:
Bluebeam -- more specifically studio sessions to allow multiple user access, then like the models the session is closed and archived at the end of a submission. Items that didn'tget addressed get copy pasted into the next set session.




Open Source Structural Applications:

https://github.com/buddyd16/Structural-Engineering