Generic data structures dedicated to integrated structural design

Though many attempts have been already proposed to facilitate the data exchanges between the geometric design phase and the structural analysis one, this problem is still open. Prior to the introduction of new concepts, a review of the basic problems encountered during a design process is carried out to concentrate on its early design steps and their links with structural analysis. Hence, the concept of a mechanical analysis module is introduced and located with respect to both a design model and the structural analysis solvers currently used. This mechanical analysis module does not depend on the nature of the structural analysis technique used afterwards. In fact, it concentrates on tools helping the structural engineer to describe and to organise a structural analysis. The independence of the mechanical analysis module relies on the identification and structuration of the generic data required to carry out the description task mentioned above, Then, generic data structures are identified and structured using a data modelling technique. The resulting independence of these data structures with respect to geometric modellers and structural analysis techniques is emphasised. First, the entities building up the mechanical analysis module are described and the new concepts attached to each of them are presented. Similarly, the main relations established between the entities are introduced and justified.