Master’s thesis – AI in structural engineering

Dlubal CALC
1

Hello,

I'm planning to write a master's thesis on AI in structural engineering, and I came across Dlubal Calc. I haven't quite understood exactly how it works yet. Is it mainly intended for solving simple systems, or could it eventually offer significant advantages in structural design? Or is it just a tool for, say, grouping all the columns from a building project into a few standard column types and then designing them? I'm still at the research and preliminary work stage, so I'd be grateful for any help.

Best regards

3

Hello @bleronqrr,

Dlubal CALC is much more than just a tool for grouping elements or solving simple systems. It is designed to offer significant advantages across complex structural design processes.

Here is a brief overview of how it works and what it is intended for:

  • How it works: CALC is an AI-supported engineering assistant that connects Large Language Models (LLMs) with deterministic calculation cores (like RFEM). You interact with it using natural language, and if any information is missing, the AI asks targeted questions rather than making silent assumptions or hallucinating data.

  • For simple AND complex systems: While it easily handles simple, individual verifications, its true strength lies in supporting complex RFEM projects and interacting with large BIM models (handling formats like IFC, DXF, and STEP).

  • Beyond grouping and chatting: Grouping standard columns is just a small fraction of its capabilities. CALC generates tangible engineering artifacts—not just text. It can create structural models, deterministic verifications, Python scripts via API for workflow automation, and tailored PDF reports.

  • RFEM Interaction: With the Dlubal Connector Calc can connect to RFEM and directly read/analyze the existing model or create new ones.

In short, CALC is intended to support the entire engineering workflow from initial information gathering to final documentation.

I hope this gives you a clearer picture for your preliminary research! Please let us know if you have any more questions as you dive deeper into your thesis.

Best Regards,
Rebecca Göbel