Engenie by Hummer
A structural engine that starts from what the architect actually drew. Geometry is read deterministically from the drawing; interpretation is explained; every rule is enforced in code and reported.
Wall and column plan
Input: the architectural DWG or DXF. Output: the load-bearing wall plan, optional column positions, and an IFC 4 model.
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
Drawing understandingSheets, storeys, units | Separates the plans from sections, elevations and details on a permit sheet, identifies each storey, detects the drawing units, and excludes areas marked as outside the permit. |
Wall extractionLines and hatches, exact to the ink | Walls are measured from their own drawn faces, so thickness, local thickening and openings follow the drawing instead of a uniform assumption. Site walls, fences and pool edges are kept separate from the building. |
Optional columnsRectangular, circular, L and T | Closed cells on the wall layer become candidate columns with their true drawn outline, so the engineer can decide where columns go with the real dimensions in front of them. |
DeliveryIFC 4 + marked-up DWG | The result is written as a valid IFC 4 model and as a review layer inside the original DWG, with each wall and column numbered for discussion. |
Reinforcement design
From the structural plan to a reinforcement drawing and bar schedule the office would sign.
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
AnalysisMoments and steel areas | Bending moments are computed per element and converted to required steel areas for the governing code and concrete grade. |
Bar selectionOffice catalogue, not the minimum | Diameters and spacings are chosen from the office's own preferred set. Laps and anchorage lengths come from the code tables for the bar, grade and condition. |
Detailing rulesDeterministic assertions | Minimum and maximum reinforcement, cover, spacing, continuity at supports: every rule is an assertion that must pass before output is produced. |
OutputDWG, PDF, schedule | Reinforcement drawing per slab or beam, bar bending schedule, and a list of any deviation from the office defaults with the reason. |
Code and office-rule checks
Two kinds of rules, both enforced the same way: the national code and the office's own practice.
National codes
Eurocode 2 with the UK, French and Belgian national annexes, SANS 10100 and SANS 51992 for South Africa, and SI 466 for Israel. Each clause the engine relies on is traceable in the output.
Office preferences
Preferred bar sets, cover conventions, minimum slab thickness, lap policies. They are shown and editable on every project, and a result that deviates from them says so.
Review and delivery
Engineers approve a result rather than correct one. The measure of success is a review that takes less time than the design would have.
Open the result on the drawing
Walls, columns and bars are shown on the original DWG, numbered and coloured by type.
Decide on the open points
Anything the engine could not settle from the drawing is listed as a question with the evidence, never silently assumed.
Annotate
Notes and decisions are written on the drawing itself and kept with the project.
Deliver
DWG, IFC 4 and PDF go to the project team; the decision log stays with the file.
Try it on a real drawing.
Send one DWG and compare Engenie's structural plan with yours.