AdvancedSoftwareSolutionsforCivilEngineeringIndustry

ArApurvaBoseDutta,Bengaluru.
TechnologyandSoftwareSolutionshavetodayrevolutionizedtheworld.Nameanyfieldandyouwillfinda
plethora of software developed to ease out the work and transfer one's vivid imaginations onto paper. The
same holds true for the engineering and construction fraternity also where a number of sophisticated
computer software have today led to swift solutions, interesting brainstorming sessions and fascinating
outputs.

Amongst the many advantages of technology is its saving of time in turn rendering more time for design,'
besidesmakingdesignspossiblewhichonecouldhardlythinkofwithhand.AComputersoftwareshouldbe
rightlytreatedasatooltoconceiveourcreativeideas.
India's construction industry is such an important part of the economy which has led to a need of good
softwaretosolveconstructionrelatedissues.IndiaremainsasoneofthemajorfocusesoftheEngineering
SoftwarevendorswhereapartfromtheneedforIndianprojects,manyIndiandesignandoutsourcingfirms
workwithforeigndesignsanddrawingjobsalsowheresoftwareareessentiallyrequired.

Mumbai based MIDAS India (R&D Centre) with headquarters in South Korea, offers
engineeringsoftwaredevelopmentalongwithanalysis&designsupportforCivil,Structural,
Geotechnical & Mechanical Engineering. Angshuman Pandey, Director Operations of the
firm adds, "Construction is rampant if you see the metropolitan cities of India today. The
stategovernmentsalsohavetakenimmenseinitiativesininfrastructuredevelopmentinthe
villages/interiorsetcwhichpointstoalotofscopetogrowforsoftwarecompanies."
SoftwaresintheMarket

Today's engineering and construction responsive environment has

varied software right from PROJECTMANAGEMENT (for the
planning and updating on the project development) to design and
detailing software programs (for metal trusses, walls and floors),
software for civil works (for optimizing quantities and reducing
wastage in cement, steel and concrete blocks), and software used in
Environmental,Geotechnical,Hydraulic,Structural,Transportation,and
Windengineering.midasCivil,usedforthedesignofbridges,flyovers
and viaducts is a user friendly and versatile software that can
performconstructionstageanalysis,prestress&liveloadanalysisfor
curvedinspacegirders.LaunchedbyMIDASIndia,Angshumanadmits,
"Due to the booming infrastructure development in many parts of the
worldespeciallyBRICnationsmidasCivilhassurpassedtherevenueof
midasGenbyafewfoldswhichisourflagshipproductandisusedfor
thedesignofverticalstructures."

TheSutongBridge

Complexstructures,forms,framesandfabricationdetailsofmaterialshavetodaybeenmadeeasierbythe
arrayof3Dand4Dmodelsthatcanbemade.BuildingInformationModelling(BIM)(byAutodesk),isoneof
themostusedsoftwaresolutionstodayforengineers,architects,plannersetcandasrightlysaidisnotjust
amodelbutaprocessthathelpscustomersusetheinformationinherentinthemodeltodesign,visualize,
analyzeandsimulateaproject.'StilltopeneratefullyintotheIndianMarket,BIMsolutionsincludeAutoCAD
Civil 3D and AutoCAD Map 3D software for transportation, land development and water projects and
Autodesk Revitbased software for the building industry including solutions for architecture, structural and
MEPengineering.

ChennaiAnnaduraiInternationalAirportexpansion

Tekla, a leading international software company with headquarters in Finland, has been
servicing the building and construction industry with a complete structural BIM solution
software named Tekla Structure.' Besides steel detailing (as their forte), they have now
ventured into concrete detailing too. Their Indian branch office, the seven years old Tekla
IndiaPvtLtdheadquarteredinMumbaicommitstotheirwideruserbase,whichhascrossed
200markwitheffectivetechnologyandservices.TeklaIndiapromotesthefullproductline
Tekla Structure' that provides an accurate, detailed and datarich 3D environment present
indifferentconfigurations.TheSteelModuleworksfordetailersandconstructionengineers,theengineering
module for structural engineering companies, the construction management module for erection sequences
and material planning, project scheduling while the concrete module works towards rebar detailing in
precastaswellasreinforcedconcrete.MrVenkataramananKirthivasan,Area SALESMANAGER of the
firm adds, "Though we have developed the software keeping the structural engineering need in any
construction in mind but other project players like architects, MEP or any others involved in projects also
canmakebestuseof3DBIMmodels."
New software for Roofing design like the Applicad Roof Wizard software features automatic roof design in
full3D,calculatesallmaterialandlaborquantitiesandautomaticallyinsertsallinformationintopredefined
reports. For quantity estimation work, a number of software like FORMULATOR have ready to use objects
likebeams,slabs,columns,retainingwalls,staircase,andwatertanksinwhichtheuserhastoenteronly
the dimensions along with sketches. Other software for estimation include BUILDQUANT, BarBeQue,
RateAnly,QEProetc.
For Survey Engineering Firms, the three years old Bengaluru based E Surveying Solutions
has E Sections," E SurveyCAD" and E SurveyLisps. With a small software size and limited
features, these software works with different CAD packages. E Sections" help engineers,
surveyors and designers to create industry standard drawings and to generate instant
calculation reports related to road/railway lines/irrigation/pipeline design/sewer network
project. ESurveyCAD" is a software solution for surveyors and engineers for creating
contours,calculatingearthworkquantitiesandconvertingpointdataintoCADtogeneratea
topographicalmap.KotaaKrishnaKamath,CEOofthefirmconfirms,"Iwon'tsaythatwegiveacomplete
solution to Survey Engineering as people are now expecting the results in 3D which we plan to develop.
However, many of our customers feel that our solutions are complete as they don't depend on any other
softwaretogeneratereports."
For Structural analysis and design, there exists software like STRUDS, ESRGSR, RISA3D. Then there are
software catering to specific materials like ADAPTABI (a collection of fully integrated design and analysis
tools for all types of concrete floor systems, foundations, and beam structures), or NISA/CIVIL (for the
analysisanddesignofreinforcedconcreteandsteelstructures),SCADDS/Nucleus3D(fortheplanning,load
estimation, analysis, design, optimization, detailing, estimation and costing, rendering, walkthrough and
documentation of RCC Multistorey Buildings and structures) and StruM.I.S.NET (which brings the steel
fabrication industry uptodate with the very latest processing, tracking, planning and reporting facilities).
Softwareforgeotechnicaldesignofshallowanddeepfoundationsandretainingstructuresarealsopresent.
SAFEP/Tisusedforanalysisanddesignofflatslabsandmatfoundationswith/withoutposttensioning.

ContourSurfaceDrawing

BuildSuperfast, a leading ERP solution for the Construction and Infrastructure industries used in roadways,
bridges and airports was launched by Chennai based Micromen Systems & Software Pvt. Ltd in 1986.
Micromen has been one of the earliest players in the customized application software service in Chennai.
The various modules contain Rate Analysis, Projects, Planning & Scheduling, Vendor, Material and
CUSTOMERRELATIONSHIPMANAGEMENT , Work Progress System, Financial Accounts and Client
Billing.Itshighlightsincludeautomatedcriticalalertsystem,dynamicMISreports,comprehensivedecision
supportsystemandrealtimeintegrationwithprojectsites.
CADS Software India (P) Ltd headquartered in Chennai is the Indian counterpart of the UK
BasedCADS,aleadinginternationalsoftwarecompanyspecialisinginstructuralengineering
designanddetailingsoftware.Whilethefirm'soriginalemphasiswasonstructuralanalysis
anddesignapplications,theyextendedittoAutoCADaddonsinthelate1980s.RebarCAD
their flagship software for rebar detailing, BBS (Bar Bending Schedules) preparation and
fabrication runs on AutoCAD with minimal additional training required. Its salient features
include automatic and error free BBS, optimisation tool to reduce rebar waste, links to
rebar fabrication software and machines, powerful editing and revision to automatically update BBS and
rapidandaccuratedrawingcreation.AddsManagingDirectorK.K.Jagadish, "At CADS Software India (P)
Ltd,wehavesolutionsthatarecapableofinteroperatingwithoneanothertomeetthechallengesfacedby
a civil engineer or a construction professional from modelling, to design, analysis and detailing. By
increasingthequality,wehaveledtoadecreaseinmaterialwasteandintimeconsumedandcosts."

LamarTowers

AbuDhabiInvestmentCouncilHq

Features&Advantages

Software solutions work towards more innovative solutions, provide cost effective and environment
friendly solutions while checking the potentiality of new materials. RebarCAD has helped Engineers,
Consultants, Engineering Services, Outsourcing companies and others by saving more than 30% of their
reinforcementdetailingandBBSpreparationtime.
Ishwarya Prem Shankarr, CoordinatorBusiness Development of Micromen Systems &
Software Pvt. Ltd says, "In BuildSuperfast, the checks and controls present in the project
executionmodulescontributetowardsstreamliningtheinitialjobcosttakeoffsandhelpthe
users to maintain strict audit control by ensuring that they adhere to the budget at all
times. The system automatically alerts users of various levels even before the execution
closes in on the estimate figures, viz., cost, resource or time. At any point, it also
generates several critical deviation reports which enable the users to track and identify
areasofexcessandtaketheappropriatemeasurestocurbthem.TheWorkFlowmoduleactsasthenerve
centre of the software, facilitating an environment of collaborative and centralized project management,
therebyincreasingtransparencyandonthemovedecisionmaking."
Most of these softwares are available in different versions so as to be able to meet the requirements of
different fields. Micromen is ready with the release of the next 'generation' and '.net version' of
BuildSuperfast which will have a dedicated WORKFLOWSYSTEM enabling instant alerts and the
seamless flow of information between and within departments among other advanced features. It will also
feature portals through which third parties (customers, clients, vendors) will be able to view salient
informationrelatedtothem.
Angshuman feels that in reality, there is no such way to provide comprehensive solutions for the entire
processofprojects.ReferringtomidasCivilheadds,"Itisusedforschematic&finaldesign.Fromthis,we
checkthesafetyatvariousconditionsoncetheanalysis&designisover,&thestructureissaidsafe,the
executionstarts.Duringexecution,incasethereisanychange/delayintheschedulethatcanalsobetaken
careofwithease.However,thereshouldnotbeanymajorchangeoncethedesignismadefreezebecause
thismayaffectthedetailingwhichiscrucial.Thesoftwarecansimulatetherealtimemodelsitalsoshows
stagewise deflected shape, diagrams like BMD, SFD, AFD and anything that we require in designing the
structure.Onecanvirtuallywalkthrough&feelthedetailspriortotheconstruction.Thematerialcostcan

beoptimized."
ProductsatEsurveyingsolutionareeconomicaltheinvestmentisless,timetakentogeneratethedrawing
issaved,learningthesoftwareissimpleandcanbeoperatedbyalessskilledperson.

WankhedeStadiumrenovation,Mumbai

With Tekla positioning themselves as a BIM software company, the benefits include cost reduction, saving
material wastage as is important in any projects, where tonnes of steel & concrete are used and a small
error in estimation can lead to big loss for project owners. By offering effective data transfer in between
different engineering departments and need at site, their tools minimise the errors and maximise the
productivity. Mr Kirthivasan admits, "The 3D Models approach is changing the whole way the construction
industryisworking.TeklapridestobepioneerofopenBIMconcept(IFSformat)throughwhichitcanoffer
smoothinterfacetootherindustrialsoftwareinvolvedinsameproject."
TrainingandAfterSalesSupport

Withtheavailabilityofvariedsoftwareinthemarket,professionalsandfirmsdohaveatoughtimezeroing
on which to use. The user friendliness, the versatility and the accuracy of the programs are considered
important factors. Though there are many softwares for which no training is required but tutorials and
online demos can help, it is important to remember that the output of a software can be maximised
dependingupontheefficiencyoftheusertoo.
In case of E Surveying Solutions, training of all the three small sized software modules, takes less than
three hours other than which there are complete video tutorial and online support for all product features
forthecustomers.
AtCADSSoftwareIndia,whateveryonecallstraining'ishandholding.'AddsJagadish,"Inanindustrythat
isfacingnewerchallengeseverydayifnoteveryhour,therequirementsofknowledgeinasoftwarekeeps
on changing very quickly. That is why there is no more a standard defacto training agenda in CADS
Software India. Our customers will need project specific guidance when they start using our software and
that is what we impart them during the initial days with the software." This duration of training can vary
fromcustomertocustomeranywherebetweenhalfadaycrashcoursetoafourmonthlongguiding.
At MIDAS India, online media (email/video conference / telephone) is used for support and 24 hours is
maintainedasturnaroundtimereply,providedtheproblemisnotverycomplicatedinnature.
Micromen pride themselves to be management consultants more than software vendors. The

implementation process is driven by the "BuildSuperfast Implem entation Framework" which includes
detailed Gap Analysis and User Profiling EXERCISES to intimately understand the atomic business
process of every personnel. Specialized training is then provided to all users followed by live data entry
undertheguidanceoftheimplementationprofessionals."TheOnlineTicketingSystemintroducedlastyear
hasbeenahugesuccesswithourclients,andhasresultedinadramaticdecreaseinourturnaroundtime
withregardstotroubleshooting,"addsIshwarya.
"ThereisahugedemandforBIMTechnologywhichishamperedbylackofskilledresourcesavailableinthe
market, so we need to stop the gap between supply and demand," maintains Kirthivasan. For the same,
Tekla introduces a certificate academy the Tekla Centre of Excellence' with hubs in Mumbai, Bengaluru,
Chennai and Pune to start with, where world class certification is provided for engineers. Due to a user
friendly software, one can go through the basic course of five days and an advanced course of only three
days to understand the functionality of the technology. Apart from which, on buying our software a
customer gets the AMC with which he gets free Tekla service and access to technical hints & tips,
troubleshootingqueries,backupofliveprojectexecutionon24X7basis.
TechnologyandAcademics

With the universal spread of technology, it becomes important for the educational institutions to provide
knowledgeofsuchtechnologytoo.CADSSoftwareIndiaiskeeningrowingitspresencewiththeacademic
fraternityoutsideTamilNaduandAndhraPradeshwheretheyarealreadycontributingtowardsshapingthe
careers of budding engineers. Tekla is also keen to explore the connection with academics and has been
contributingsignificantlytomakethestudentsawareoftheirBIMtechnologybysendingexpertstovarious
campuses.Soon,theyaregoingtointroducetheIndianversionofthesoftware.
TheEconomics

While dwelling on their market share Ishwarya feels, "The southern market has been very kind to us and
we can claim to be one of the pioneers in providing domain specific solutions. Our recent foray into the
westernmarket,namelyMumbaiandGujarathasbeensuccessful."Angshumancommitstoanapproximate
share of 18%20% in the Indian market combining the firm's products. Spending 30% of their annual
revenueonR&D,Teklaisprovingitscommitmenttodeliverworldclasstechnologyastheirusersdemand.
Tekla technology is one of the most reputed and recognised brands in the world with over 40 years
presence.MrKirthivasanadmits,"Thoughwehavetoughcompetitionwithothersoftwaredevelopersinthe
market which helps us to test our technology acceptance by our users, but because of our focus area and
expertise in Structural BIM solution, we can proudly say that in terms of usage of 3D based application in
construction industry, we are holding the major market share and will continue in our focus streamline
businessareaincomingdays."
Kamath adds, "In Bengaluru, 50% of survey projects are done using our products. We are yet to cover a
majorityofthemarketacrossIndia.Economically,wearenoteven1%ofthemarketshareinIndia,asour
competitorschargetoomuch.Apartfromhavinganearlyentryadvantage,theysellmultiplelicensetothe
samecustomer.Jagadishadds,"Wecansafelysaythatatleastonelicenseofoursolutionswillbeinuseat
anygivensecondofanyday."
TheFuture

The software market in the construction and engineering industry has boomed due to the amelioration in
construction activities, which will sustain for the next 23 decades. Software solutions need to be
periodically updated to be able to meet the challenges faced by the Industry. Work is on for more
innovative solutions and possibilities in the field of structural analysis and designing, which not only will
improve the quality and life span of the constructs but will also provide protection from manmade and
naturalcalamities.
CADS Software India is working towards localising their latest software the CADS Smart Scaffolder (the
most used scaffolding modelling and estimation software in Europe) to suit the requirements of the Indian
market. Apart from this, they would also like to develop a new 3D modelling and Finite Element Analysis

software. Adds Jagadish, "We are also innovating on and expanding the scope of our current solutions to
meet the requirements of different segments of customers like Engineering Consultants, Contractors,
Developers, Fabricators etc. The Indian construction & infrastructure industry has about 42,000 projects in
various stages with a total worth of $1.3 trillion (Source: Projects Today). With such a huge potential, we
believethatwewillgrowtwiceinheadcountandrevenueinthenextthreeyears.UrbanisationofTierII&
IIIcitieshasbecomeapriorityforalllevelsofpublicgovernancebodiesinIndiatoday.WeatCADSbelieve
thatitisimportanttoslowlyexpandfocusfromTierIcitiestothesenewzonesofopportunity."
MicromenislookingatestablishingitspresenceingrowinginfrastructurecentressuchasBiharandOrissa
by 2013 while strengthening its position in other MARKETS such as Tamil Nadu, Hyderabad, Mumbai,
Kerala and Delhi. E Surveying Solutions is coming out with its new Water Module. They also have plans to
come out with solutions to generate survey drawings directly using Google earth data. Kamath adds, "We
areanewfirmandnowpresentinonlyalimitedportionofIndiainKarnataka,MaharastraandAndhra.In
thenexttwoyears,wewillbemajorplayersalloverIndia."
TeklahasrecentlylaunchedTeklaBIMsightwhichisfreetoolforeffectivecommunicationandcollaboration
between different project players. The future plans of Tekla India Pvt Ltd include targeting the contractor
segment and making them a part of the BIM process and influencing their vendors to use similar process,
Kirthivasan chips in, "The actual advantage is realised only when downstream players also start
implementing it." Apart from this, they would concentrate on the Tekla Centre of Excellence and look
towards more of product localisation by hiring local developers to create application which can be used by
theIndiancustomers.
NBMCWAugust2011