In Round-Trip Engineering, data is synchronized between CAD and structural analysis software, meaning that time-consuming and error-prone multiple data entry is a thing of the past. In practice, this means that geometric information is transferred from Allplan Engineering to SCIA.ESA PT in a single step. There, the static system is defined automatically or manually, followed by material properties, load and support conditions.

When a planning change is made, the user can simply press a button to update the changed components. All the entries made previously are retained. Because, in practice, a static calculation is often not a single process, but rather a series of continuously changing plans, Round-Trip Engineering represents a considerable improvement to the participating engineers' work processes. Now, it is also relatively easy for users to compare several alternatives and optimize the component dimensions step by step, resulting in efficient and cost-saving structures.

Round-Trip Engineering has already been available for some time for steel construction, and is now also possible for solid structure construction. To use the new method, users need Allplan 2006 Civil Engineering and the new version of SCIA.ESA PT 2007. The complete solution will be of particular interest to engineering firms that create formwork and steel reinforcement detailing, as well as engineering calculations and design work to the highest
standard. SCIA.ESA PT 2007 is available immediately and can be purchased from Nemetschek and SCIA sales partners.