AFES MAIN FUNCTIONS

AFES have shown the foresight in meeting structural engineers needs in todays industry and now, by working together with the leading structural analysis software through data exchange which will help to radically improve the design of foundations to any structure type. It is important to introduce main functions for every program to simplify activities from modeling to analysis and arriving to final design phase. This makes work shorter and therefore saves time and effort. It mainly includes interface on how to get vital information from other programs, reduced modeling complexity and running analysis.
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Importing Structural Analysis Data Getting result data from other programs eliminates input error because it gets the final model and use for foundation design. The program can obtain geometry, load cases, load combinations and support reactions from the following programs.

STAAD.Pro STAAD.Pro is a general purpose structural analysis and design program with applications primarily in the building industry - commercial buildings, bridges and highway structures, industrial structures, chemical plant structures, dams, retaining walls, turbine foundations, culverts and other embedded structures, etc. STRAP STRAP (Structural Analysis Programs) is a Windows XP/2000 based suite of finite element static and dynamic analysis programs for buildings, bridges and other structures. It also includes programs for the design of rolled and light-gauge steel and concrete in accordance with U.S., Canadian and other international codes. SAP2000 SAP2000 is a general purpose finite element program which performs the static or dynamic, linear or nonlinear analysis of structural systems. It is also a powerful design tool to design structures following AASHTO specifications, ACI and AISC building codes.
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MIDAS/Gen MIDAS/Gen is a Windows-based, general-purpose structural analysis and optimal design system. It offers conventional analysis capabilities as well as other analyses such as Geometric nonlinear analysis reflecting Large Displacement, Boundary nonlinear analysis, Pushover analysis, Construction simulated analysis reflecting time dependent material properties, Heat of hydration analysis, etc. GTSTRUDL GT STRUDL completely integrates graphical modeling and result display, frame and finite static, dynamic, and nonlinear analysis, finite element analysis, structural frame design, graphical result display, and structural database management into a powerful menu driven information processing system. SDNF SDNF is based on old and virtually obsolete technology, which allowed only simple geometric and loading properties to be exported from system to system. 2. Modeling Modeling needs various features to complete a structure. Some features need not to be repeated in modeling another structure after a model is already created because they can be saved in the Data Base and utilize later for use. Some of the main features are the following. Interactive 3D Graphical Design A powerful device which can achieve excellent results that creates significant representation of the model. It is mouse-operated feature which is only a click away of making the structure near to reality.

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Multiple Foundation Modules EPC and Plant projects have many different footing modules due to several equipments such as in the form of tank isolated, column, ring wall, heat exchanger, tank, ball tank, combined, regular and irregular mat and sloped rectangular foundations.

Simplified Pile Layout Regular pile arrangement layout for rectangular and circular arrangements is provided for easy and quick generation. You can use mouse drag to move piles or just input coordinate values in the X and Y coordinate text boxes to locate piles.

Multiple Building Codes Incorporation of international building codes is a fast inclusion to be able to reach designers need globally. Among of the presently supported codes are ACI 318, BS 8110, CP 65, KCI, AIJ-WSD99 and IS456. Multi Unit System Various input and output unit system is provided for users convenience. You can also convert output unit into another unit system in the calculation report and automatically adjust in the other features such as drawings, BOM, etc.

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Conventional Rigid Method and Finite Element Method(FEM) of Analysis The FEM method requires advanced computer software and modeling, and an in-depth knowledge of soil properties that are modeled in the program and construction sequences that are simulated. Its greatest benefit is better prediction of soil movement. The Conventional Rigid Method merits consideration as a first choice or as a preliminary tool due to its simplicity. Both methods is supported and regardless of the method used, it is essential that close coordination and communication take place between geotechnical and structural engineers early in the design process, and a consensus and understanding be reached.

3D Frame (Tie-Girder) Analysis method for footing connected by a beam or tie girder. Considers moment forces transferred to tie girder thus leaving footing to carry only axial loads. Tie girder location can easily set location through the Tie Girder Data command.

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3.

Pre-processing and Post-processing

Developments of software for performing pre-processing and post-processing provide a unified environment for the visualization, manipulation, generation and diagnostics of input parameters from modeling to analysis.
Open GL 3D This helps the program present modeling for its proprietary application programming

interface (API) software used for generating computer graphics images.

High Quality Structural Calculation Report Detailed and organized calculation report is presented at the end of running design and analysis. Options are available to select items to be included before running analysis. You can also include shear and moment diagrams for a set strip. Company logo can be inserted on top of the report. Output units can be modified using of its tools including set of text fonts, sizes, etc.

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3D Bill of Materials (BOM) BOM take off can be exported to Microsoft Excel format. Allowance factors for items of materials can be set before running this function. Grouping excavation for multiple foundations can also establish such that they can be combined to one excavation which you can select shape and set excavation offset from footing edge.

3D Modeling Data Converting of AFES files to 3D modeling of programs such as AVEVAs PDMS and Intergraphs PDS Frameworks Plus is a powerful tool which enables users to have quick insight of the actual structure thus reducing the overall concept to design time.

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2D CAD Drawing Complete construction drawing is automatically provided after finishing input data. It includes foundation plan layout, detailed sections with bar schedules and bar bending schedules. It can be converted to DWG and DXF drawing formats which can be exported to AutoCAD, MicroStation and SmartSketch programs.

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Top 10 Reasons to Buy AFES

1. Interfaced with Powerful Structural Analysis Programs To be able to come up with a fast reliable output, we interlinked to widely used structural analysis programs to get the vital information and make use for the foundation design, thus reducing error and save time and effort because through it you skip modeling or input data procedure. Currently the program is connected to STAAD, STRAP, SAP2000, MIDAS/Gen, GTSTRUDL and SDNF. 2. Simplified Modeling Procedure Modeling made easy as we simplified and organized command tools. Structure image configuration reflects in progress as the procedure goes on to get the user updated to his model. Considering to have complete input data information, you are only few minutes away of coming up to a foundation design whether doing it trial and error sizing or using the Auto Design function. 3. Detailed Analysis and Design Report Generation Detailed and organized calculation report is presented at the end of running analysis and design. Through its designed tools for report generation you can organize settings such as inclusion of shear and moment diagrams, text font sizes and styles, insertion of company logo, selection of items for report, etc. 4. Quick Report of Controlled BOM Take Off Ready to print BOM report is available after running the program. Allowance of increase factor for every work item can be set to control results. Using manual calculation normally produces error and this error may result a big effect in the BOM take off. We programmed formulae to conduct accurate automatic calculation to ensure reliable outcome thus eliminating inaccuracies. 5. Supports Several Building Codes Various international building codes are supported such as ACI 318, BS 8110, CP 65, KCI, AIJWSD99 and IS 456. 6. Generates Detailed Construction Drawing Construction drawings are updated automatically up to the last command as the model is adjusted through the command tools. Normally design is done from an analysis program then copy final data and transform to drafting using another program. This process creates waste of time especially when several revisions occur. It is presented in detailed form showing plan layout, sectional details, bar schedules and bar bending schedules. The font sizes, styles and other settings can be generated before exporting to AutoCAD, Microstation or SmartSketch programs.
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Fast Technical Support Assistance We have an immediate answer for every query about the programs operation and considerations. It is one of our priorities to respond for users to their uncertainties and to make them fully understand of the programs capabilities to be able them to maximize its functions.

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Reduces Complexity of Design Work Flow Design route may start from structural calculation, construction drawing to BOM take off and 3D modeling. When there is an error in the design information all steps shall start all over again thus affecting every work and makes lost of time. In our program the work flow is interconnected and every other item is updated automatically and there is less concern even if revisions may happen.

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Very Low Price Considering of its Broad Capabilities Compared to other foundation programs, we have the least price considering of its multifunctions and capabilities. There is no program that can match our number of foundation modules. Besides you can perform analysis with the conventional rigid method or the FEM.

10. Increases Design Productivity Once you establish the input data information you are few minutes away of getting accurate final design. You can produce thousands of foundations in just a day. In this program you can perform design of multi-foundations in one structure name which reduces input time because you can group footing for a common setting.

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