__STYLES__
This real-world use case in structural engineering aims to facilitate the creation of customizable outputs for connection forces in unique projects.
Explanations:
Scia Engineer - A calculation Software for Steel Structures
Beams - In this case Steel parts that are part of a structure
Nodes - nodes where single beams like Steel beam meet
connection forces - the forces you need to design bolts and plates for assembling two beams together
The Business Case:
Scia Engineer lacks a flexible output for connection forces, hindering easy, well-structured, visually appealing connection designs. To address this gap, we must develop solutions tailored to the unique demands of our special projects.
The BI Approach:
I designed an Excel File with Power Query for transforming and analyzing Connection Forces to meet user requirements. Considering it's copied into each project, I addressed some user needs:
Easy usage is facilitated through Power Query and Excel, familiar and accessible to all. Users can adjust input values independently, eliminating the need for a BI specialist. Since projects are the basis, file sizes remain manageable, rendering advanced solutions unnecessary.
To ensure consistent data structure for Power Query transformation, I developed User Templates for SCIA Engineer. These templates, imported into Scia's Report Section, consistently generate output for
without user intervention, guaranteeing data uniformity.
Each project requires file assignment, necessitating user-enabled file path customization. Input fields in Excel were created, named, and manipulated using M in Power Query to modify the source code.
4. Users should be able to change the increase Factor manually
An input field was created for this purpose. The table was then linked to Power Query through a new Query from Range. Bridging structural engineering with data analysis offers significant advantages. Engineering processes yield ample data for intelligent utilization. Many use cases demand custom table styles or documents beyond standard software capabilities.
I hope you liked the project as much as I did. And like always, I am open to any discussion or feedback!
Best, Jasmin