BIM Links to IDEA StatiCa – General Disclaimer and Known Limitations
General Disclaimer
1. Scope of Data Transfer
BIM Links transfer idealized analytical data, such as geometry references, member properties, and internal forces. They do not transfer fabrication‑level models or detailed connection or reinforcement geometry. All connection and detail design must be defined and verified directly in IDEA StatiCa.
2. Differences in Analysis Methods
Global analysis software typically uses beam or shell FEM, while IDEA StatiCa applies the CBFEM method for local checks. Due to these fundamentally different approaches, results are not expected to be numerically identical, and direct comparison of utilizations is not appropriate.
3. Members and Geometry
Only supported member types and cross‑sections are transferred reliably. Complex, curved, tapered, or user‑defined members may be simplified, approximated, or require manual adjustment after import. Member eccentricities and offsets may be reduced to equivalent internal forces.
4. Loads and Load Combinations
BIM Links generally transfer internal forces and moments, not original applied loads. Surface loads, temperature effects, construction stages, and dynamic actions are typically not transferred. Load combinations may differ due to variations in combination rules, partial factors, or code settings and must be verified by the user.
5. Analysis Assumptions
Nonlinear effects from the global model (e.g. plastic hinges, cracking, second‑order effects) are not transferred explicitly. Global stability and overall structural behavior remain the responsibility of the global analysis software.
6. Boundary Conditions and Supports
Supports, springs, and soil interaction are transferred only in a simplified manner or not at all. Boundary conditions in IDEA StatiCa must always be reviewed and adjusted to reflect the intended structural behavior.
7. Materials and Design Codes
Material grades and design codes are mapped automatically where possible. Unsupported or non‑standard materials may require manual reassignment. All code settings should be checked after import. More about it can be found in Codes and standards supported in IDEA StatiCa Steel.
8. User Responsibility
The engineer is responsible for:
- verifying transferred data,
- validating modeling assumptions,
- ensuring compliance with applicable design standards.
Any change to geometry, loads, or analysis assumptions in the global model requires re‑import and re‑verification in IDEA StatiCa.
9. General known limitations
- One-way link
The Links are only one-way at the moment. It means you can synchronize your CAD/FEA results with the Checkbot data and update them in Checkbot, but if you change anything in IDEA, you cannot send those changes back to your CAD/FEA files.
- Unbalance forces
Given the law of mechanics, the equilibrium of the internal forces in the node must be present. Unfortunately, the equilibrium is sometimes not achieved after the import. More about this, please check the following articles - Unbalanced forces from BIM link import and Principles of Loading in a Connection: Equilibrium, bearing member etc.
Known limitations of BIM links maintained by IDEA StatiCa
Software‑specific limitations, known issues, and recommended workflows for individual 3rd‑party applications are documented separately and can be accessed via the corresponding links below.
CAD software
FEA software
Known limitations of BIM links NOT maintained by IDEA StatiCa
If using 3rd-party software with a link they developed directly, please contact the respective manufacturer.