Belgian company is global player in the design and structural analysis of complex buildings

BuildSoft in Merelbeke was born in 1989 from the vision of founder and CEO Geert Goossens. The company focuses on automation and digitization in the construction industry with a number of software suites. They allow engineers to make structural analyses for all kinds of structures in steel, concrete and wood. BuildSoft has a subsidiary in Spain and for several years has been part of the international Civenso group, which operates worldwide.

BuildSoft's portfolio includes a number of user-friendly and high-performance software suites with which it makes the design process of structures clearer, easier and safer via analyses and 3D models. Particular attention is also paid to BIM interoperability. Customers can count on extensive support, including training and education. A close relationship is built with students and instructors. In addition, free licenses are provided.

With the 'Diamonds' suite, the required strength and stability can be calculated, based on the specified loads and this for frames, beams, floors and walls in concrete, steel and wood. 'BIM Expert' is a module that allows, through plug-ins, the exchange of models between own and external software packages (Revit, Tekla Structures, Idea Statica Connection, SAP 2000, ...) . 'PowerConnect' focuses specifically on the design and calculation of common steel connections. With '1.2.Build', beams and columns are calculated and accurately defined from an early design stage.

With 'Diamonds,' concrete beams, columns, floors, walls and 3D buildings can be designed, visualized and calculated. This also gives the designer insight into issues such as required reinforcement, ultimate deflection and possible cracking and buckling hazards. Analyses of crane tracks, dynamic loads, seismic influences and fire resistance are also possible via specific modules. Also of particular interest is the "ConCrete" suite. The program focuses on the design and analysis of concrete beams. The software also automatically generates the required reinforcement schedules. Faster, easier and more confident design of complex buildings and structures is completely within reach with BuildSoft.

Willy Naessens Industriebouw realized this project on behalf of WDP, specialist in logistics real estate. It concerns a distribution center for fruit and vegetables in Breda. The logistics building is over 12 meters high and has a rectangular ground plan of 84 meters wide and 160 meters long. Because of the relatively poor subsoil, a concrete support structure on pile foundations was used. Concrete trusses every 6 meters support a steel-deck roof structure. Those concrete trusses rest on nut beams, in turn supported by concrete columns according to a grid of 12 meters by 22.80 meters.

Using the 'Diamonds' suite, a validated structural design was produced within a week, with load combinations imported into the software suite. Several factors were taken into account, including the state of the subsoil and the presence of special loads. Such parameters are very easy to import into "Diamonds.

BuildSoft emphasizes usability and reliability. Customers worldwide enjoy VIP support backed by more than 30 years of expertise in structural analysis and design. BuildSoft suites are currently used daily by more than 4,000 customers in over 60 countries.