Innovation Showcase | PROFIS Engineering software tackles the concrete to concrete conundrum

Having solved the steel to concrete connection challenge, Hilti is taking on the equally demanding concrete to concrete conundrum.

Three and a half years ago Hilti launched its PROFIS Engineering software, aimed at aiding engineers designing steel to concrete connections. The software has been a success with leading companies using it on high profile projects like the Hinkley Point C nuclear plant.

PROFIS Engineering was created to carry out the huge number of detailed calculations engineers have to make when designing structural connections for their projects. It uses bespoke algorithms to analyse the distribution and impact of stress on all elements forming part of these connections, enabling engineers to use their skills to maximise the efficiency of joining two key structural materials.

When it was launched, Hilti claimed that using the software would cut design times by 50%. Technical software manager Carlos Taborda said that promise has been fulfilled.

“The software has been a real breakthrough for engineers,” says Taborda.

“It has really been a game changer. Not only does it save time but it is more accurate and produces more optimised designs which also save on materials and labour costs.”

The web-based software contains three modules: concrete fixing, masonry fixing and handrail fixing. Taborda says that the biggest benefit of the concrete fixing module has been the ability to design with flexible base plates. Standard engineering design relies on treating a base plate as rigid,
however PROFIS users can safely and optimally draw up a flexible plate design, looking at welds, stiffeners and anchors as well as the different forces on a structure.

The end result has been huge time and material savings.

All three modules focus on steel to concrete connections. But from January the software will include new modules to aid engineers designing concrete to concrete fixings. This includes concrete overlay for strengthening walls, slabs, beams and columns, as well as post-installed rebar
connections used for extending slabs or walls.

Hilti regional technical marketing manager Terry Tsang, explains that the new modules have been introduced in response to TR069 and TR066 – new design codes introduced in the past two years. Both are aimed at improving the safety of concrete to concrete connections.

“Up until now engineers have relied on hand calculations, simple tables or their experience on projects to make these judgements,” Tsang said. “However, with these new codes it is imperative that calculations are made in a more reliable way.”

As well as being more accurate, Tsang explains that the PROFIS software enables a more optimised design.

“The software has many benefits when it comes to optimising construction. For example, on some projects we have trialled we have seen that as much as half the rebar used for concrete overlay can be removed. That’s a big material saving, which is better for the environment and costs less as well. Likewise, the software can optimise the depth you have to drill [for rebar connections] to, which is often less than with traditional calculations, again saving on labour time.”