Civil

Water

Structural

Hydraulic

SCIA

Excel

Application development engineering Python

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Discover how engineers at WSP use VIKTOR to develop their own Cloud apps for colleagues without programming experience.

WSP engineers build apps to automate processes with VIKTOR

WSP builds engineering apps for colleagues without Python experience

## Get the white paper

**INDEX**

1. Construction companies and digital transformation
2. Technology trends for a different approach
3. Technology trends in the construction industry
4. A new technology trend for the construction industry
5. Low code for the construction industry
6. The VIKTOR platform
7. What does it cost?
8. How to start
9. What's next?

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What are the current trends in digital transformation and how do they affect the engineering and construction industry? 

This white paper is for every engineer, manager, director, or anyone else that wants to learn more about (new) technology trends that help boost digital transformation in engineering and construction, such as BIM, parametric or generative design, and low-code and no-code. 

Discover how web applications can help you find the best solution fast, get the best insights, capture knowledge into assets, and make work more joyful! 






Learn about trends in digital transformation and how they affect the engineering and construction industry.

Download the White Paper and get INSPIRED

This white paper is for every engineer, manager, director, or anyone else that wants to learn more about (new) technology trends that help boost digital transformation in engineering and construction, such as BIM, parametric or generative design, and low-code and no-code. 

Digital Transformation: Engineering and Construction Industry

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The easiest and most versatile way to create web apps from your Excel sheets

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Transform your Excel spreadsheets into interactive web applications without any coding involved

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access management

Create your own Excel apps to automate calculations, communicate with external machines through macros, and more!

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Use your Excel sheets in combination with other design or engineers software, such as CAD or RFEM.

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Always work with the latest version, so your whole team can be sure to use the correct data at all times.

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You determine who gets to view and edit which parts of the project, so your IP is 100% secure. 

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VIKTOR empowers you to manage your team effectively with features like app variables, developer tokens, credentials, and app tags.

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Excel to app converter

## Excel to VIKTOR app Converter

Transform your Excel spreadsheet into a web app with a user-friendly converter. Simply upload your formatted Excel file, review the inputs, and then download the ready-to-use app code. 



<div style="padding:57.28% 0 0 0;position:relative;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/908206596?badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" title="publishing_apps_EDITED_2"></iframe></div><script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js"></script>

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## Automating crane foundation design in a web app

VINCI used VIKTOR to compute crane foundation designs in just **15 minutes**, a task that typically takes **3 to 5 days**
The automation of crane foundation design calculations is a simple but exhaustive and repetitive process: large amounts of data are required that must all be processed through multiple third-party software packages, such as Excel and Autodesk Robot. At VINCI, they have dozens of engineers that work on designing up to 225 cranes in France every year. Because the design calculations are very similar but specific for every crane each time, this task is very well suited for [automation](https://www.viktor.ai/customer-cases/43/how-vinci-yearly-saves-300-days-calculating-crane-foundation-designs).


<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/805460142?h=35f0fa1693&title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p><a href="https://vimeo.com/805460142">VINCI - Crane foundation app</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user75777479">VIKTOR platform</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>


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## Automating calculations by linking Excel sheets to SCIA

Many Excel sheets are used in construction to do calculations. A lot of time and energy has gone into developing the sheets, especially to get them verified and validated afterwards. Heijmans has linked their Excel sheet with reinforcement calculations for concrete cross-sections to SCIA in an application on the VIKTOR platform for the reinforcement of slabs. For example, fewer numbers now have to be copied, so that one can work more efficiently, and the risk of error is reduced.

[VIKTOR | Automating the calculation process by linking Excel sheets to SCIA](https://www.viktor.ai/customer-cases/18/web-application-automation-python-Excel-SCIA)


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## Beam calculations through an Excel web app

This web app functions as a single point of truth with a central database that always contains the latest version of your project (with version history) that all stakeholders can access. As you can see from the video, the process of automatically calculating a simple supported beam only consists of three steps: inserting the information, generating the results, and downloading the PDF report. 

<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/703176976?h=c6d27796c9&title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p><a href="https://vimeo.com/703176976">Automating calculations in Excel with Python in VIKTOR</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user75777479">VIKTOR platform</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

## Workflow automation with user-friendly web apps at WSP

At WSP Netherlands, they have enabled their engineers to build applications that their colleagues without any programming (Python) experience are able to use as well. For example, an application for [fender systems](https://www.viktor.ai/customer-cases/42/Python-engineering-Cloud-applications). 

> “By automating the iterative non-linear analysis, a higher accuracy and time-gain can be achieved. Through a graphic web app, different software such as SCIA engineer and Excel work together to come to an answer. After the calculations, the results are presented in an interactive graph.” - Wichard Bron, Constructor Infra at WSP



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## Centralized data for gravity-based foundation analysis

BAM automates the design of gravity-based foundations from  **5 days to just 4 hour .**  The gravity-based foundation is a concrete platform on the seabed (approximately 30 meters in diameter) which is used for wind turbine foundations. The problem with the gravity based foundation was that it was determined or calculated using a number of separate Excel sheets. 

Among other things, investigation was done on the stability during floating and sinking, the natural frequencies and the strength of the design by different disciplines, each using their own Excel sheet. [This meant that making a complete design took 5 up to 10 days.](https://www.viktor.ai/customer-cases/21/web-application-Excel-python-gravity-based-foundationsThis) 
Then, the calculations made in Excel where transferred to a VIKTOR web app that ensures that everyone works with the same input parameters at the same time, without having to manually pass on and adjust them. Everyone is also working on the same version of the design, so no miscommunications or misunderstandings can arise. This is something that can easily happen with separate Excel sheets: several different versions can easily be made.



Create, deploy and share apps with the world using all our software integrations and reporting tools, for free!



Turn your Excel spreadsheets into interactive web apps—no coding required.

#### Excel to VIKTOR App Converter

Easily convert your Excel file into a web app with our simple converter. Upload your file, review the inputs, and download the ready-to-use app code.


Create custom Excel apps to automate calculations, interact with external machines, and more!

#### Automating crane foundation designs

VINCI used VIKTOR to automate crane foundation design calculations, reducing a task that typically takes 3 to 5 days to just 15 minutes. This process, which involves large data sets and multiple software tools like Excel, PDF. Rhino/Grasshopper. AutoCAD and Autodesk Robot, is repetitive but essential. With dozens of engineers designing up to 225 cranes annually, automation has saved VINCI 300 days per year on these calculations.

Combine your Excel sheets with other design and engineering tools like CAD or RFEM for streamlined workflows.

#### Heijmans’ Excel-SCIA Integration

Heijmans linked their Excel sheet for concrete cross-section reinforcement calculations to SCIA through the VIKTOR platform. This integration reduces manual data entry, increases efficiency, and minimizes errors in slab reinforcement design.



Ensure your team always works with the most current data with a centralized, version-controlled web app.

#### Structural analysis in an Excel web app

This web app serves as a single source of truth, with a central database that keeps your project up to date and accessible to all stakeholders. As shown in the video, calculating a simple supported beam involves just three steps: inputting data, generating results, and downloading the PDF report.

You control who views and edits each part of your project, ensuring 100% security for your IP.

#### Workflow automation at WSP

WSP Netherlands empowers engineers to create user-friendly applications, even for colleagues without programming experience. For example, they built an app for fender systems that automates iterative non-linear analysis, combining SCIA and Excel in a graphic web app to deliver faster, more accurate results.

> "By automating the analysis, we achieve higher accuracy and time savings. The results are presented interactively in a graph." – Wichard Bron, Constructor Infra at WSP

VIKTOR empowers you to manage your team effectively with features like app variables, developer tokens, credentials, and app tags.

#### Centralized data at BAM

BAM reduced the design time for gravity-based foundations from 5 days to just 4 hours. These foundations, used for wind turbine platforms, were previously calculated across multiple Excel sheets, each managed by different disciplines. This process often led to miscommunications and delays due to inconsistent versions.

By transferring these calculations into a VIKTOR web app, BAM ensured everyone used the same input parameters in real-time, eliminating errors and streamlining collaboration.

Our experts can help you find the right opportunities, set realistic goals, and meet deadlines.

Effortlessly integrate with industry-leading software, the Python Ecosystem, and modern development tools.

Spreadsheets

The most versatile way to create web apps from your Excel sheets

Why VIKTOR for Spreadsheets

Turn any spreadsheet into a customized web app

Spreadsheets are a common tool in engineering, but managing multiple versions and access permissions can quickly become a headache. A centralized platform for engineering data management solves these issues, offering a single source of truth and enhancing collaboration.

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VINCI uses VIKTOR to automate the calculation of over 200 crane foundation designs yearly. Read more.

How VINCI yearly saves 300 days calculating crane foundation designs

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Head of generative design in VINCI

Alexandre Cousin

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## Collecting everything in one place

Roland Snelders has been involved in the development of the concrete slab reinforcement application for Heijmans. “We could read the internal moments from a SCIA file and these were collected in the report, usually in a table. Then those moments could be entered in Excel and the reinforcement was determined and tested in an iterative process. That calculation was therefore copied to the report. ” This way of working could be done more efficiently. It would be easy if copying numbers is no longer necessary, because everything is collected in one place.

### No more copy + paste

That's exactly what the application they created does. Snelders: “From SCIA we can now export an XML file and read it into the application on the VIKTOR platform. The Excel sheet is also linked to this. After selecting the concrete cross-section data and various reinforcement options, I get a picture with colors that indicate where the reinforcement should be.” This ensures that you go directly from the SCIA file with a once-off data entry to a visualisation of the results that come from the Excel sheet, without having to copy anything.

### Centralizing data

The Excel sheet has not been completely transferred into the application, but rather has been linked to it. This has the advantage that it does not have to be recreated, which would then have to be validated. In addition, all manufacturers know how to make a calculation in Excel, you can still continue to do that. “The application ensures that everyone now works with the same Excel sheet, since it can only be opened centrally,” says Snelders. This significantly reduces the risk of errors.

## General use of the application

The application can be used in any construction that contains a slab, for example a floor, a wall, a roof or a bridge. “Initially, only rectangular slabs could be calculated and analysed, which was a major limitation,” says Snelders, “This has now been improved to allow for all types of slab shapes to be calculated.” The application is made by developers of VIKTOR, because Heijmans did not yet have the required knowledge to do it themselves.

![Excel and SCIA connected.png](/uploads/Excel_and_SCIA_connected_c24d123297.png)


## Partial automation for now

This is the beginning in terms of automation. "For the time being it is not going to be possible to calculate entire constructions completely, because there is a lot of variation in every project." Snelders explains, "But it is very useful to have components of that construction automatically calculated." There is less variation in the components themselves, so they can be calculated perfectly with an application. This allows the structural engineer to have more time for the more complex and challenging aspects of his/her work.

## More space left for challenging work

Snelders: “The application makes work more fun. I do not find completing an Excel sheet challenging work. ” When filling in cells and copying data, a structural engineer adds little knowledge to the process. Where they do add knowledge is during the schematisation of the construction and the making of a calculation model, in order to subsequently arrive at an optimal and practical choice of reinforcement. "That work still remains, we have mainly automated the repetitive calculations."

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In construction, calculations are often done in Excel sheets that need a lot of developing. Because Heijmans has linked these sheets to SCIA on the VIKTOR platform, automating parts of the process.

Automating the calculation process by linking Excel sheets to SCIA

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Chief structural engineer at Heijmans

Roland Snelders

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## Strengthening the pumping stations

The HWBP is a joint investment program of Rijkswaterstaat and the water boards, who are in charge of flood protection infrastructure in The Netherlands. Since the start of the program in 2014, € 100m has been invested in innovations, which has already yielded at least € 180m in savings. “We expect that the new knowledge will yield a multiple of that in savings in the coming years.” Are the savings heading towards € 1 billion? “I would not dare to take on a saving of 1 billion, but it would be inspiring for society if that succeeds.” Because the risk of a dike breach according to safety standards must not be greater than once every five to ten thousand years, until 2050, at least 1,300 kilometres of sea and river dikes and 500 locks, weirs and pumping stations must be strengthened. To this end, a budget of € 7.4 billion has been agreed up to 2028, which must be jointly raised by the central government and the water boards.

## Custom work for dike improvement

One of the promising innovations is using [parametric design for custom dike improvement](https://www.viktor.ai/customer-cases/24/parametric-design-dike-python-D-series-Plaxis-SCIA-Excel-BIM). In other words: not starting from a high water scenario with one water level with different conservative assumptions and factors, as before, but calculating many thousands of scenarios based on an extensive database and the specific characteristics of a dike section. To arrive at the most likely scenario of strength and failure for each stretch of the dike. 


![calculating dike.png](/uploads/calculating_dike_0580c2c558.png)

This customization can mean that in 80% of the cases, the dike improvement job in the Netherlands can be reduced and in 20% of the cases must be enlarged, says Willems. “Much of the dikes can be built slimmer and less high. This means that the balance tends to make the total program cheaper. “That does not mean that the budgeted amount of € 7.4 billion can be reduced. “Even when the agreements for the HWBP were made in 2013-2014, it was clear that the financial agreements were not sufficient,” says Willems. “That was a conscious choice to ensure efficiency in the HWBP utilizing innovation and knowledge development at the front. “Extra jobs are also coming up. “Rijkswaterstaat and the water boards are assessing all dikes. They do this once every twelve years, a kind of periodic MOT. They will be working on that until 2023 when dikes will emerge that need to be strengthened. 


[![Structural CTA full width block (1).svg](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Structural_CTA_full_width_block_1_a8400c62f8.svg)
](https://www.viktor.ai/why-viktor/structural-engineering-design)


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Parametric design for stronger dikes yields “hundreds of millions”

Lead Engineer Waterbouw Heijmans Infra

Jaap Wierenga 

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Computational Design Engineer at BESIX

Kelvin Roovers

## Increasing design efficiency

However, providing an adjusted design after each road or artwork change costs a lot of work. About two years ago, WTOP decided to investigate where most of the time was spent in the process of designing, and where this could be done more efficiently. This showed that in a number of these processes, many hours were spent on repetitive and unimaginative work. In addition, it turned out that arranging and creating a smooth line with these barriers is a complicated process and time-consuming. Jaap van de Werfhorst, owner of WTOP infra, decided that this process should be automated.

## Automating the process

The work of manually placing elements along the road based on a maximum angular rotation and, if it turns out not to fit, to start this process all over again, had to find an alternative solution. WTOP infrastructure was in contact with VIKTOR to see how various processes could be better linked to each other, and the above mentioned problem was discussed with the question wheher using VIKTOR would be fruitful. At VIKTOR they came up with the proposal to do this with a self-written algorithm. Van de Werfhorst: “Initially, there was still uncertainty whether the algorithm could also handle complex projects. If it could carry out the 80% easiest projects, it would not be of much use to us, because it is precisely in the difficult 20% where the most profit lies.”

## An application for complex projects

“After several brainstorming sessions, we were confident that the application could also handle complex projects,” explains Van de Werfhorst. In the application you can define your grid, the bounds of the design, the horizontal and vertical alignment, the maximum angular rotations between the elements, variables related to defining the angular rotations, other constraints such as cables and pipes, artworks, etc. and where you wants to apply your fitting elements. All these parts can be entered in both x, y and z directions. Based on all this input, the algorithm determines the optimal line of the noise barrier. In a visual representation, the application shows by means of colors whether the barrier can be made with the specified conditions. If it turns out that this does not work, the application indicates where the problems are, so that the conditions can be adjusted at those specific locations if desired. This can be done by increasing the angular rotation between the elements, which may then create elements that meet the requirements or by giving the barrier some more space by adjusting the bounds of the design. The great thing is that the program examines and calculates hundreds of thousands of possibilities within a few minutes. The application also generates a list of coordinates in x, y and z direction of the design. This list of coordinates is imported into Excel by WTOP infra, after which all elements that meet the requirements are generated by dynamo and placed in a 3D model. In addition, dynamo in combination with excel creates a quantity list with the main dimensions per element. As a result, the consequences of design choices are immediately visible in both a 3D model and quantities.

## What can be gained? 

Due to this extensive automation, instead of spending much work on unimaginative tasks, the time can now be spent on solving details and interfaces. The advantage is that various choices can be made clear at a detailed level quickly in the tender phase, which also makes it easier to estimate the risks. Since all parts and placements are generated from a single coordinate list, including the production drawings and layout drawings, it is also possible to act quickly during the design process and execution, and failure costs due to changes can be minimized.

Van de Werfhorst: “The step that we have taken together with VIKTOR ensures that we are at the beginning of a development that can be carried out much further by linking this to schedules, cost estimates, etc.” The application and links made with analysis- and drawing programs are useful not only for noise barriers, but also for everything in which prefabricated (3D) elements are placed on or along an alignment, which is currently also being implemented.

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For complex projects, it is important to deliver designs in complete 3D, so that they can be incorporated into BIM. But this process takes a lot of time. 

An algorithm that makes noise barrier design much faster

## Custom truss constructions

The truss constructions at large music stages become bigger and more complex. Festivals want to have their own unique stage, with a custom truss construction. These constructions are very expensive if they have to be custom made, or you have to deal with a limited set of standard shapes with existing products. 

![Truss construction design in the analyze one](/uploads/Truss_constructions_in_the_analyze_one_3bfe986172.jpg)


### Software and building blocks

FrameFlux is offering an affordable option for creating your custom construction. Yufe Wong, cofounder of Frameflux: “We invented an adjustable, reusable building block, with which you can create any shape structure you want, with the same level of form-freedom as a snake!” Besides the physical product they also developed in-house [parametric design](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/46/parametric-design-cloud-engineering-construction) and analysis software tools to rapidly design these custom shapes and analyse them. “You can perform a structural feasibility check in seconds on an unlimited set of forms, including the conventional shapes.” This removes a barrier to the use of the truss, since it would be difficult to engineer and design some of the complex structural shapes that become feasible.

![Truss construction design](/uploads/Truss_construction_design_56c25ff136.jpg)


## Hitting the market

After demonstrating the software tools to customers and receiving a lot of enthusiasm, FrameFlux wanted to take the next step. After an elaborate vendor selection, FrameFlux partnered with VIKTOR for their experience and integration with Grasshopper and Python, along with a user-friendly interface to suit the needs. Since March 2020, the two companies have been collaborating to deliver this software product, named Antalyze One. This application allows integration with SCAD Re-Event, a popular 3D CAD program for the Dutch event industry. Now a super-fast workflow for design of standard truss beams is realized: users can create a design in SCAD Re-Event, export the data to the web-based VIKTOR platform, and then instantly run a Grasshopper-powered structural feasibility check. It is also possible to make changes in VIKTOR and re-import these back into SCAD Re-Event. VIKTOR’s fine grain data management systems, for user information and technical data, allow for such automation when coupled with Grasshopper. In future, integrations with other CAD programs will be possible.

![Data mangement systems for truss constructions](/uploads/Data_management_system_8043c8a027.png)


## A user-friendly interface

“With VIKTOR we’ve got a friendly user interface and a good integration with our existing Grasshopper model, instead of starting over again.” In the web-application an event designer can also upload their design and other relevant inputs whenever and wherever they want. As before, this information is sent to the Grasshopper model in which the analysis is done. The results of this analyses are sent back to the web-application and visualized for the event designer.

![Visualizations of truss construction designs](/uploads/Truss_construction_visualizations_deb241cb3c.jpg)


## The 'Antalyze Two'?
The decision to automate this process is an easy one according to Yufe “A designer can now create, develop and get a structural feasibility check on their preliminary designs of loaded straight beams without hours of spreadsheet work or consultation.” There are already plans for a potential ‘Antalyze Two’, which will be able to process a much greater variety of structural shapes. “Especially for custom-made constructions it could take weeks before a design was analysed by a consultant. With our software and the web-application made on the VIKTOR platform, a check could be run on squares, circles and snake-like structures… in only a matter of seconds!”

Interested in developing web-applications as well? Check out our [parametric design solutions](https://www.viktor.ai/parametric-design-software)!

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It is now possible to analyse structures with a user-friendly web application quicker than ever before!

Analyse any truss construction design within seconds

## Designing a sustainable future

Stefan Schoenmakers, design leader Civil Realisation Substructure of the Theemsweg route at Wagemaker explains that the Calandbrug will have reached its technical lifespan in 10 years. It was built around 1970 and provides road and freight traffic. By removing freight traffic, the lifespan is extended and at the same time the with new rail viaduct, the train traffic does not experience interference of opening and closing the bridge for shipping. The new route is designed for the next 100 years. “We have to look and think far ahead, because mobility issues may change over this period of time. This makes it a very interesting project”.

## Many parts to a mega project

Wagemaker designs almost all the foundations for this project. Wagemaker is part of SaVe, a construction consortium consisting of Besix, Dura Vermeer and Mobilis that is responsible for the design and realisation. “We work with a design team of 12 people at Wagemaker, where my job as design manager is to ensure that our product, drawings and calculations are finished on time and distributed within the organisation of SaVe. We look at implementation, manufacturability, optimisations, alignments with the road design team, with provisions for lighting, making certain parts prefab, and much more. Our constructors and modellers work on all these things simultaneously”, says Schoenmakers. A mega project.

## Complexity and diversity

Not only the size is a challenge; the route is 4 km in length, but also the complexity. “You come across different types of soil situations. In some places the foundation is in water, in other places you have to build across an existing lock, or you have to deal with a very poor soil structure, or a soil structure in which inserting piles is a challenge. It is very diverse.”, says Schoenmakers. In addition, we are dealing with the fact that almost every location is very specific regarding the number of cables and pipes in the ground. Wagemaker looked for an effective way of analysing the foundation supports. “In principle we have 100 support points, some of which are identical, but the situation is different due to the soil composition. Initially, we wanted to make a certain design choice based on a comparison between support points that are similar and then calculate only one”, which is not optimal. Due to previous collaboration on another project, they ended up at VIKTOR. “We worked on the TenneT project, of Heijmans. You were involved in that project as well, and we then saw what was possible and we also want to stimulate development. So we said right away, we are going to do it together with VIKTOR!”.

## The role of the VIKTOR platform

With VIKTOR, the substructure of the route has been parametrically designed and calculated. This was done, among other things, by means of integrations with geotechnical and structural calculation software such as the finite element program SCIA. Schoenmakers: “By using your tool, we were able to generate parametric models with corresponding load cases for all supports and foundations. This made it easy to analyse internal force distributions, pile reactions and other calculation results. We ultimately opted for 5 to 6 basic foundations. They were all defined in the database of the tool and we could attach foundation characteristics, such as soil properties. Actually, this is in reverse order to the normal process, enabling us to much better determine where optimisations are present”.

Using the tool resulted in making the design process and reporting more efficient. The VIKTOR platform has been very valuable not only in the field of calculations, but also towards the client and testing authorities: “This has enabled us to demonstrate that we have been able to design and analyse all support points properly,” says Schoenmakers.

## Wagemaker focuses on digitisation

Wagemaker clearly focuses on the digitisation of engineering; A few years ago, a Virtual Design department was established to keep up with the developments. Of the 8 people there are 2 dedicated programmers employed. “If we can save time on projects by doing things [smarter](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/40/artificial-intelligence-machine-learning-engineering-construction), we have more time for complex projects where we cannot automate or parametrise anything. You became an engineer for the complex thinking involved, thereby empowering people. You don’t want to do the same thing 10 times. It may be nice the first time, and second time as well, but then it stops. It is very time consuming and if you have to do the same thing 10 times over, the chance of errors will also increase”. VIKTOR has provided a clear solution for this. Wagemaker recently participated in a few technical sessions at VIKTOR, in which three engineers are now learning to develop their own tool in the VIKTOR platform. Not participating in this development is not an option for Wagemaker. “We try to stay ahead, because the moment you can do something that someone else cannot do, it strengthens our market position.”

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The Theemsweg route is a new railway viaduct, which allows uninterrupted train traffic on the first part of the Betuwelijn, without having to stop for ships. A challenging project for VIKTOR and Wagemaker, who is responsible for the engineering of the substructure of the route!

Parametric models to design the structure of the Theemsweg route

## Automation in the offshore sector

While a lot of automation is already taking place in the automotive and aviation sector, the offshore sector is still lagging behind. According to Maas Hoogeveen, Technology Director at Mocean Offshore and developer of Calypso, this is because the offshore industry is a highly conservative market. “Everybody works on their own projects and has their own reasons for sticking to the old principles. But we are working on applications with automated calculations that will reduce the time and money spent on a project.”

### No more manual tasks

In the jack-up industry, there are still many repetitive tasks performed by engineers. This is partially due to the complexity of the frameworks laid down in ISO 19905. However, it is not commercially viable for the experts to fully perform the extensive calculations manually; they have to use conservative shortcuts. Hoogeveen: “We use algorithms and parametric models, so that shortcuts no longer need to be used and calculations can be done faster and more specific.”

>“The best way to share knowledge is by making it available through a web application.” - Maas Hoogeveen

## Looking for the right digital tools

Maas has spoken with many market parties about making his application available online via a web interface. “It would be a costly enterprise to even create a Minimal Viable Product. Then I came into contact with VIKTOR, which was a great fit. The interface was exactly what I envisioned. It meets the wishes of various stakeholders. A sales manager, for instance, may want to use Calypso as a means of communication with which he or she can generate clear images, whereas an engineer may want to perform in-depth calculations and optimize the use of a platform. Calypso’s interface caters to many different users, which is made possible by the versatility of the powerful VIKTOR platform. Another big advantage is that the costs are much lower.”

> “The web application was developed within 40 hours. The iterations that have been done were also implemented quickly. This offers enormous opportunities because time and budget are the bottleneck.”

## What is Calypso?

### Site-specific assessment

Calypso is a tool for performing site-specific assessments on any jack-up platform. This determines whether you can install wind turbines with a light or a heavy platform. The tool can be used even before you start a tender. Maas Hoogeveen explains: “We specialize in analysis of jack-ups. The knowledge and calculation methods contained in Calypso are an implementation of the jack-up engineering standard ISO 19905-1:2016. With this application, every engineer can perform a site-specific assessment (SSA).”

Check out how you can analyze offshore wind turbine installation platforms without being expert with Calypso and VIKTOR:

<div style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0;position:relative;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/584895866?badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" title="Calypso-Tutorial-Jack-up-SSA"></iframe></div><script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js"></script>

### Automated calculations

In addition, the calculations are automated, but an engineer can still look deep inside the system to check all steps and calculations. “This is what we call the glass box paradigm, as opposed to the black box”, Hoogeveen explains.

### Capitalizing knowledge and skill

The main objective of Calypso is to capitalize upon knowledge and skills regarding jack-up engineering by making these available to the offshore industry. Running it as a VIKTOR application is a great way to achieve this: “VIKTOR matched perfectly with our vision of what the interface should be. The way parameters are set and how the model is directly visualised is how we imagined it,” Hoogeveen explains. The web-based application can be used independently by clients, so they can make calculations on their own data and problems.

![Web-based VIKTOR Calypso application.png](/uploads/Web_based_VIKTOR_Calypso_application_3bdaa727dc.png)

## Fast development is not impossible!

The development of a web interface to an application doesn’t have to take months, it can be realized in just a week. Maas Hoogeveen: “We developed a headless application, containing the algorithms and parametric models. With this basis and the assistance of VIKTOR developers we build the Calypso application in only 40 hours. The extensive possibilities of the VIKTOR platform are inspiring. With their help, Calypso is as accessible and user-friendly as we imagined.”

![Calyps and VIKTOR platform.png](/uploads/Calyps_and_VIKTOR_platform_302aedac81.png)

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With Calypso you can analyse offshore wind turbine installation platforms without being a jack-up engineering expert!

Everyone can analyse offshore wind turbine installation platforms

## Why Dynamo?

People from different disciplines use all kinds of different software programs. Where structural designers make extensive use of BIM and CAD software, such as Autodesk Revit and AutoCAD, road designers use Autodesk Civil3D and Bentley MX Road. The skilled designers amongst us automate their workflows in these packages using Dynamo: By creating Dynamo scripts, manual actions can be automated in structural design software, which saves designers lots of time.

Dura Vermeer’s engineers and technical modellers are among these skilled engineers who are highly acquainted with those software packages and use Dynamo intensively in their design process. Their experience, expertise, and the concept of visual programming enable them to quickly develop models with Dynamo. However, some needs are yet to be covered: The exchange of data and versioning of that data remains challenging.

## Why VIKTOR?

Also, although Dynamo is a convenient tool, it has a learning curve: Often only a specialist knows how it works, making other disciplines dependent on the time and resources of these specialized individuals. That’s where VIKTOR comes into play. VIKTOR is a web application development platform for engineers and has a large variety of digital building blocks (like digital LEGO), such as integrations with structural design software. VIKTOR’s web applications provide a central database with version control on the data and offer an intuitive user interface where other disciplines can easily use encapsulated expert knowledge. This is also known as: Democratization of Knowledge.

But the question remains: How do you leverage Dura Vermeer’s existing expertise in Dynamo and VIKTOR’s distribution and data control? The answer: By building an integration between the two! VIKTOR and Dura Vermeer collaborated and developed a Dynamo-VIKTOR node package: Nodes where data can be fetched and pushed from Dynamo to VIKTOR.

## Single Source of Truth

In Dura Vermeer's current design process, the exchange of parameters between the different disciplines often takes place via mail or quick hand-drawn sketches. However, this is not foolproof and can become increasingly risky when many versions and alterations are made. By developing a VIKTOR web application that automatically integrates with different design software, Dura Vermeer no longer requires manual output exchanges. Of course, active communication between the different professionals is still needed, but less normative.

### Creating Dynamo scripts

The Dynamo-VIKTOR node package consists of several nodes (in Dynamo terms, a node is a visual representation of methods/functions with only input and output). When properly placed, the nodes can perform a task such as establishing a connection between Dynamo and VIKTOR. The following figure shows a representation that makes it possible to acquire the input parameters of an entity from VIKTOR to Dynamo. Other configurations of these nodes can create alternative tasks, such as getting results, getting files and even pushing data to VIKTOR.

![The Dynamo-VIKTOR node package](/uploads/Dynamo_VIKTOR_node_package_3359b129c6.png)

By connecting these strings of nodes to other Dynamo nodes, actions and even designs can be automated using the design software. This series of nodes is called a Dynamo script. Once the script is executed, multiple tasks that can be used in Revit will be performed. Since Dynamo is not only supported in Revit, scripts can also be developed for AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Inventor, etc.

### Using the Dynamo-VIKTOR node package

The video shows the same Dynamo-VIKTOR node package used in both Revit and Civil 3D. The video shows how the cross-section is manipulated using the parameters given in VIKTOR. No external exchange file is necessary, resulting in a live connection between all disciplines (in this case the structural engineer, road designer and structural modeller) which is practising the single source of truth principle.

<div style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0;position:relative;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/584816499?badge=0&amp;autopause=0&amp;player_id=0&amp;app_id=58479" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" title="DV_Dynamo-VIKTOR_nodes_ViktorUBak_v3(1)"></iframe></div><script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js"></script>

## Connecting software and knowledge

The collaboration between VIKTOR and Dura Vermeer has made a huge difference regarding the way software is deployed. Not only are software packages connected, but also the knowledge of the professionals. Both parties ended up speaking the same digital language, even though their knowledge backgrounds were so different.

In only one sprint (a two-week development period) the live connection between VIKTOR and the structural design software was explored and finally established. Further development will most likely yield many more functionalities and applications, as all kinds of design software can tap into this single source of truth.

## A reusable package for future automation efforts

The Dynamo-VIKTOR node package is a very general utility to exchange data between VIKTOR and Dynamo. It can be linked to any VIKTOR app for which credentials are available and any Dynamo script. That is why this is a digital building block that Dura Vermeer can reuse in their future automation efforts as well. In the long term, VIKTOR can continue to provide digital building blocks that Dura Vermeer can use to realize their vision of becoming the best digital contractor in the Netherlands.

If you are interested or have any questions or remarks about this development, do not hesitate to contact us at: contact@viktor.ai


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The design and construction of objects requires many disciplines that all use different software programs to come together. By integrating software like Dynamo and Civil 3D with the VITKOR platform, data can easily be exchanged and automatically generated. 

A single source of truth for Dynamo and Civil 3D

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## More time to solve complex problems

Previously, many calculations for fender systems were done with rules of thumb. This is no longer possible, due to the stricter new standards. The calculations now have to be done in more detail, which creates a lot of extra work for the engineers. Calculating all options manually one by one is laborious, so it was decided to automate these calculations. Louis: “The calculation of constructions will be increasingly automated. The time gained from this can then be used to solve complex problems.”

### Computers are taking over repetitive calculating 

Peltenburg explains: “Repetitive elements are very suitable for programming, and so can be calculated using an application.” With repetitive elements, the same calculation must always be performed, something that an application on the computer can do much faster than a structural engineer by hand. “Once the repetition is found in a construction, letting a computer do that calculation allows one to save a lot of time,” says Peltenburg.

## An application for automation

### An interface between REFM and VIKTOR
MH Poly uses the calculation software RFEM to calculate the fender systems. Louis was very interested in creating an application for fender systems and asked Peltenburg to work on this together. The application they created contains an interface between the RFEM software and the VIKTOR platform. Peltenburg: “We offer an API to all our customers, on which applications can be made. This was the first time that it has been taken on in a professional manner.”

### Possibilities in a changing sector

In the fall, the application will be presented on the MSc Engineering customer day. “We want to show our customers that the sector is changing and what possibilities there are in terms of automation.” Peltenburg says. Louis, “This application is a pilot to see how it goes, but it is my intention to collaborate more if everything goes well.” You can still register for the customer day via this link.

“The biggest advantage of using VIKTOR is to initiate a change in thinking amongst engineers. There is still a lot of traditional thinking, which has to change to a way that makes better use of ICT developments in the field of engineering”, says Louis. Peltenburg adds, “The nice thing is that you don’t know what will happen in the future. There are so many options it can be used for:  [artificial intelligence](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/40/artificial-intelligence-machine-learning-engineering-construction), [Parametric Design](https://www.viktor.ai/blog/46/parametric-design-cloud-engineering-construction), Machine Learning.”

![Integrating REFM analysis systems with the VIKTOR platform](https://cms.viktor.ai/uploads/Dlubal_and_VIKTOR_1a12a7cef7.jpg)


*MH Poly is an engineering company that has been using the computational analysis software RFEM from Dlubal for years. This software is provided by MSc Engineering. Emiel Peltenburg is a specialist at MSc Engineering and distributor of the software RFEM and IDEA StatiCa.*

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