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Research on the Design Method of Prefabricated Concrete Structure Based on

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Article  in  Computer-Aided Design and Applications · August 2022

DOI: 10.14733/cadaps.2023.S3.148-164

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Research on the Design Method of Prefabricated Concrete

Structure Based on BIM

Fan Yang1 , Saddam Hussain3 , Mustafa Abbas Fadhel4 and Kayhan Zrar Ghafoor5,6

1Gannan University of Science and Technology, Jiangxi Ganzhou, China, fanyang4123@outlook.com

3Department of Civil and Architecture Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, 8040015
Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Japan,
saddam.hussain372@mail.kyutech.jp
4University of Al Muthanna, Samawa 66001, Iraq, mustafa@mu.edu.iq
5Department of Computer Science, Knowledge University, Erbil 44001, Iraq,

kayhan.zrar@knu.edu.iq
6Department of Software & Informatics Engineering, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Erbil 44001, Iraq,

kayhan.zrar@knu.edu.iq

Corresponding author: Fan Yang, fanyang4123@outlook.com

Abstract. With the gradual development in industrialization, the advent of

computer and information technology has evolved in the field of engineering and
construction industry. BIM technology has become a valuable part of prefabricated
concrete engineering with the advancement of modern technology based on 3D
modeling simulation. In order to realize the industrialization and automation of
prefabricated concrete structures, this paper analyzes the characteristics of
fabricated concrete structure and BIM, combining the two techniques. This work
applies BIM to fabricated concrete design and chooses finite element analysis and
calculation software ETABS to analyze the structure model. The results show that
the mass participation ratio of the model studied in this paper reaches more than
90%, the interlayer displacement angle is less than 1/550, and the modal and shell
internal force analysis results meet the requirements. In this paper, modal analysis,
shell internal force analysis under live load and structural dynamic analysis under
response spectrum load conditions were carried out on the ETABS model converted
from the Revit model and the model directly established by ETABS. The ETABS
model converted from the Revit model by the data interface plug-in can be used for
structural analysis.

Keywords: Industrialization; BIM; prefabricated concrete structure; finite element

analysis; structure analysis.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14733/cadaps.2023.S3.148-164

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1 INTRODUCTION
Building information Modeling (BIM) is characterized by the conception, parameterizations, and
incorporation of the building designs [1]. As part of this method, a coordinated digital description
of every element of the generated asset is constructed using a set of appropriate technologies.
This digital description is planned to include data-rich 3D representations as well as structured
data such as product, execution, and handover information [2, 3]. As the project moves into the
construction phase, the information gained may be utilized to improve the project's design and
execution. Any design adjustments that are required can adhere to the agreed-upon methodology
in a clear and documented way [4, 5]. The industrial platforms have widely accepted it as a finest
solution for informatization of the building structures [6]. Nowadays, the prefabricated building
designs are being integrated entire information in designing and construction. The dataset for
prefabricated designing can be established via BIM modeling and it can be used for the
construction projects.
In BIM based fabricated structural designing, unified common elements were used from the
prefabricated element library for construction, analysis, optimization, and application [7]. Digital
fabrication is a cutting-edge method that combines the benefits of BIM with virtual design and
construction (VDC). Using BIM-based digital fabrication processes, designers, contractors, builders,
and engineers may improve the efficiency of prefabricated product design, construction, and
manufacturing [8, 9]. Fabrication designs may now be digitally visualized owing to BIM. BIM-based
methods make it easier to integrate design, production, and construction processes. This enables
more transparency, enhanced cooperation opportunities, and interoperability across stakeholders
in the digital manufacturing process [10, 11]. The energy is consumed by the buildings throughout
the entire life cycle.
The prefabrication strategy has been promoted as a way, to reduce the life cycle energy
consumption of buildings [12, 13]. Prefabricated construction strategy offers significant benefits in
terms of various sustainable perspectives like reduction in construction waste [14,15], reduction in
green gas emission during the manufacturing activities [16,17], and relocation instead of disposing
the waste [18-19]. Because prefab operations are carried out indoors in a factory, construction
professionals do not have to worry about delays and interference from the weather, vandals,
burglars, or other problematic difficulties. This is a secure, controlled environment that allows
owners to expedite the construction process and decrease waste. Prefabrication costs are reduced
as a result [20, 21]. While the industry confronts a talent crisis, prefab can help you accomplish a
work with a smaller team. Because the main of the job is done indoors and requires less effort,
fewer individuals will do more. Workers consider these locations to be safer than others [22, 23].
The buildings absorb energy during their whole life cycle.
The prefabrication method has been touted as a means of lowering building life cycle energy
usage. The prefabricated system for the monitoring and reduced energy consumption has been
integrated into scientific research in the building sector. For the integration of all information in
planning and construction, prefabricated building designs are employed. BIM modeling may be
used to create a dataset for prefabricated design, which can then be utilized in building projects.
For construction, analysis, optimization, and application in BIM-based fabricated building structure,
unified common elements from a prefabricated element library were employed. The various
applications of BIM technology for the prefabricated building designs are listed in the Figure 1.
The construction business is clearly being transformed by 4D and 5D BIM. The addition of
planning (4D) and cost/material estimate (5D) dimensions to information-rich 3D BIM models
ensures improved management of change orders on project costs and schedules. The use of cloud
technologies in conjunction with BIM allows participants to access data from any location and on
any device. The applications include the renovation, planning, conceptualization of design, detailed
designing, analysis, plotting, prefabrication, operation, and construction of 4D and 5D building
designs.

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At this stage, the construction industry in the country has achieved extremely rapid
development, and both its quality and cost have improved. In its construction process, large-scale
mechanical equipment and other electronic computer technologies are often used, which will
simplify the entire construction process. The use of mechanical equipment, in addition to
effectively reducing the construction period and improving efficiency, also reduces the cost of
investment to the greatest extent, so the future prefabricated concrete structure will be the main
trend of the development of the entire industry. Applying BIM technology to the structural design
can maximize the design efficiency and quality, further optimize the model design, and maximize
the value of resources. In the current construction field, if you want to solve the main problems in
component processing and construction, applying BIM technology is a more feasible solution [24,
25].

Figure 1: Applications of BIM technology in prefabricated building design.

Without the use of BIM technology, the structural analysis, design and detailing of building
information becomes a tedious task for complex engineering structures. However, the utilization of
BIM technological tool for pre-fabricated concrete structures can provide the detailed information
of design and complex geometries in a short period of time. BIM technology enables the decision-
making process prior to implementation, clearly specifying the requirements, management
considerations, issues which can be encountered and detailed planning/execution scenario for
addressing those problems. The implementation of BIM improves the productivity of engineering
designs while reducing the errors, time and cost. The application of BIM technology cannot only
solve the problems of component processing and building construction, but also effectively reduce
the cost of waste in the development process of the construction industry. Moreover, after the
completion of the parameterized construction, the BIM technology can fully optimize the related
model design, which greatly promotes the improvement of the construction quality of the
construction project [26, 27]. The available software for comparing the building information
modeling is AutoCAD, Revit, Sketchup, Arcidcad, etc. The Revit BIM software is chosen among all
these as it creates the relationship between 2D and 3D design drawings. Revit is used for this
research work due to its various advantages like its parametric considerations, landscape design,
energy efficient designing, etc.

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By providing a research based on the design approach of prefabricated concrete buildings

utilizing BIM technology, this article has accomplished the industrialization and automation of
prefabricated concrete structures. The research examines the properties of manufactured concrete
structures and BIM, merging the two methodologies by using BIM to fabricated concrete design
and analyzing the structural model with ETABS finite element analysis and computation software.
Modal analysis, live load shell internal force analysis, and structural dynamic analysis under
response spectrum load circumstances were investigated. The ETABS model was converted from
the Revit model and the model directly established by ETABS. This ETABS model converted from
the Revit model is used for data interfacing and plug-in can be used for structural analysis. The
results show that the mass participation ratio of the model studied in this paper reaches a
significant value with feasible interlayer displacement angle and shell internal force analysis. The
research on the design method of prefabricated concrete structure based on BIM in this paper is of
great significance.
The remainder of this paper is organized as follows: section 2 presents a literature evaluation
of the current state of prefabricated concrete structure industrialization. The study methodologies
are presented in part 3, and the results are analyzed in section 4. Section 5 contains a discussion
of the current work's findings, and section 6 contains concluding remarks as well as future
research directions for the research effort described in this article.

2 LITERATURE REVIEW
The country where BIM technology first emerged was the United States, and then gradually
developed to the United Kingdom, Canada and other countries. BIM is a brand-new idea, the
second information revolution in the construction industry, and a fast channel to accelerate the
development of construction industry informatization. The following research on theoretical
knowledge has promoted the sustainable development of BIM technology. The domestic BIM wave
has gradually started, and it has been recognized by more and more people in the industry. The
second information revolution after CAD has started, and it has spread and developed rapidly in the
construction industry.
Hu, Y. et al. proposed a fully prefabricated concrete-filled double-steel steel tube/flexural
frame with a steel plate shear wall system that only connects beams. A round-robin test was
performed on three samples of 1/2 ratio. The damage observation, damage mechanism and
hysteresis behavior of the samples are studied and compared. The results showed that the steel
plate shear wall (BSW) with only connecting beams enhanced the lateral resistance, initial stiffness
and ductility of the precast concrete-filled double-layer steel tube/flexural frame. The specimens
with BSW can withstand a story drift rate of more than 5%, which is larger than the value of the
bare frame, which increases with the number of BSWs, and the increment between each specimen
is approximately equal. Similar findings were observed in terms of initial stiffness, lateral
resistance and ductility ratio [28].
Buildings have long been chastised for their low productivity, lengthy building times, poor
safety and reliability [29], as well as their high energy use and pollution [30]. Because of the low
durability and poor building quality in underdeveloped nations, consumption is higher. Buildings
that use sophisticated modular prefabrication have gotten a lot of attention in the architectural,
engineering, and construction (AEC) sector in recent years. These new structures are seen as a
creative way to address the limitations of traditional structures [31, 32]. Modular prefabrication is
a revolutionary construction method in which building components are prefabricated in a controlled
environment, then transported, positioned, and assembled on the job site [33]. Modular
prefabrication improves building sustainability and has environmental advantages [34].
The air suspension platform uses air pressure to realize the suspension function during the
suspension process, which has the disadvantages of high air pressure and low suspension force.
Gao, S. et al. used a bionic design to construct an air suspension platform to reduce the required
air pressure and increase the suspension force. According to the physiological structure

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characteristics of the albatross wings, a suspension structure mapping model was established. A
bionic model was established using theoretical calculation formulas and structural size parameters
of structural design. 3D printers are used to manufacture physical prototypes of suspended work
pieces. On this basis, a suspension test bench was built. Six sets of comparative experiments were
designed. The experimental results of the suspension test bench are compared with the theoretical
calculation results. The results show that for the same air pressure as other work pieces, the
buoyancy of a suspended work piece with a V-shaped surface with an angle of attack of 15°is the
best. The surface structure of the suspended work piece is applied to the air static pressure rail. By
comparing the experimental data, the air pressure of the original air suspension rail was reduced
by 37%, which verified the correctness of the theory and design method [35]. Introduction of the
first series of test results of precast reinforced concrete columns by Imek, O. et al. Pillars that
simulate the wall part are formed in the prefabricated walls of residential buildings after carving
openings. There are many ways to strengthen the pillars: from simple reinforcement with wire
mesh to reinforcement with standard steel bars. According to the type of steel bar and the type of
load, the deformation and tension of each pillar are studied. All pillars were damaged due to local
compression of concrete, and transverse tensile failure occurred in all cases [36].
Prefabrication is considered as the most effective way for sustainable construction, and it
utilizes the productive safer and good quality construction process which has very less effect on
the environment [37]. A method utilized by Liu et al. [38] evaluates the carbon emission during
the process of prefabricated manufacturing and energy evaluation. Modular prefabrication
enhances building efficiency and has environmental advantages. Furthermore, most researchers
have focussed on the overall life cycle performance of buildings, with just a few focusing on
specific sustainability development in stages such as design, construction, operation, and
maintenance. Sustainable performance in response to stakeholders' concerns influences their
decisions and active engagement in selecting modular prefabrication in today's increasingly
fragmented construction sector. Tumminia, et al. [39] studied the prefabricated building for
reduction in carbon emission, energy saving, protection of environment for green prefabricated
buildings. Atmaca presented a construction model highlighting the operation phase for energy
estimation [40]. Faludi et al. [41] provided a comprehensive sustainability assessment tool for the
application of prefabricated buildings. Monahan and Powell [42] provided a comparative study for
analysis of carbon emission and energy assessment. An IOT based technology has been proposed
by Tao et al. [43] for real time monitoring of carbon emission as well as energy consumption while
manufacturing the prefabricated components. A software-based architecture has been proposed by
Kang and Hong for the integration of BIM technology for facility management and analyze the
energy consumption during the entire life cycle of construction management. Ajayi et al. [44]
assessed the scope of building management for assessing the environmental performance of BIM
technology. The prediction of energy consumption was done by Torregrosa-Jaime et al. [45] for
optimization of building envelop and balancing of heat during the operation. The assets and
limitations of BIM tools are analyzed by Reeves et al. [46] during the energy consumption stage.
During the entire life cycle of the construction projects, there are certain difficulties which are
faced by the industrial chain like economic problems, energy consumption and environmental
impacts. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is one of the methods for achieving sustainable construction
practices, and it is well acknowledged for its relevance in acquiring environmental-related product
information. Using LCA in the construction industry has established a distinct field of LCA practise.
This is related not just to the complexity of buildings, but also to the following aspects, which
when combined, distinguish this industry from other complicated goods.
Andriamamonjy et al. [47] studied various essential components for energy performance
simulation in order to overcome all these limitations. The energy consumption optimization is
carried out for building construction by Zhang and Chen [48] and the user comfort is increased
using the lighting, heating, proper ventilation and air conditioning methods during the energy
management phase.
The previous literature of prefabricated building deals with the energy performance evaluation
of primary energy sources which check the emission of greenhouse gases and provide a

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quantitative measure for the building life cycle. But there are very few studies which are
specifically dedicated to the utilization of BIM technology for the assessment of energy
consumption providing saving opportunities for prefabricated manufacturing. The integration of
building information has become complicated due to the increasing volume of prefabricated
knowledge. Thus, literature review suggests that the BIM technology is significant for improving
the sustainability for the prefabricated manufacturing. The innovation of this paper is that
according to the characteristics and process of traditional prefabricated concrete structure design,
a BIM-based prefabricated concrete structure design process is proposed. Revit structure model is
established for actual engineering project and converted into ETABS model using data interface
plug-in. Modal analysis of the ETABS model converted from the Revit model and the model directly
established by ETABS are performed respectively, and the shell internal force analysis and
response under live load The dynamic analysis of the structure under spectral load conditions and
comparisons draw conclusions.

3 RESEARCH METHODS

3.1 Design Process of Fabricated Concrete Structure Based on BIM

Although the traditional prefabricated concrete structure will consider the structural system and
make corresponding adjustments before deepening the design, the depth of consideration cannot
be guaranteed, and the status quo of many types of components and low mold repetition rate
cannot be changed. The design of prefabricated concrete structures based on BIM, starting from a
single prefabricated component, combining, and then designing the structure, can fundamentally
change this status quo. The design stage can also be divided into five stages: planning stage,
scheme design stage, BIM model establishment stage, analysis calculation and optimization stage,
and construction drawing and prefabricated component detail design stage. The design process is
shown in Figure 2.

3.2 Model Conversion Analysis

3.2.1 Model conversion method selection

The core of BIM technology is to manage all the attributes of the building's life cycle through the
data technology of the computer platform, so the popularization and application of BIM technology
cannot be separated from the support of software technology. Although there is software that is
applicable to various stages in the world, there are still problems with the interfaces of these
software, and the model cannot be converted well. The central idea of "one model with multiple
uses" can only become a slogan. In addition, international software citations will not fit the current
situation in China very well due to the restrictions of norms and standards, and most domestic
software is not mature enough, and there is still a big gap between being directly applied to the
construction of projects.
Revit is the core software of BIM modeling, but its ability to perform structural calculations is
insufficient, and other software is needed for structural calculations. Autodesk's Robot Structural
Analysis can perform structural analysis and can perform effective data conversion, but the
software does not support the latest domestic norms and standards. The existence of the
conversion problem is the main reason why the promotion and application of domestic BIM
technology in structural majors is far less than other majors. Combining with the current situation
of domestic structure majors, the most suitable way of model conversion is to use data interface
plug-in through secondary development conversion. During the secondary development
conversion, a data interface plug-in is developed by using two dedicated software to realize the
two-way link. This transmission method can ensure the accuracy of information, but it needs to be
customized and developed, and its versatility is poor.

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Figure 2: Design flow chart of prefabricated concrete structure based on BIM.

3.2.2 Selection of structural analysis software

There are various software packages available for the analysis of structural design and its
calculations like ETABS, ABAQUS, ANASYS FLUENT, OpenSees, and many more. All these software
is suitable for different applications. ABAQUS software is good for the estimation of model
structures; however, ANASYS FLUENT is useful tool for modeling the matters dealing with fluid
flow. OpenSees software is a useful tool for the examination of structures including pushover as
well as time history investigation. In this article, the application deals with the prefabricated and
concrete structures, thus, ETABS software is suitable for design structuring. The literature also
suggests that ETABS software is best suitable for the analysis of design structures.
Taking into account the conversion with Revit and the calculation of the fabricated part, and
the need for a built-in open data interaction interface for secondary development and other
operations, ETABS was selected for structural analysis and calculation. ETABS is finite element
software that integrates structural analysis and design. As an international structural analysis and
design software, it includes multi-national standards, and its Chinese version includes Chinese
standards. The software integrates all calculations and analysis such as load calculation, static and
dynamic analysis, linear and nonlinear calculations. The rich section cell library can adapt to more
section design methods. At the same time, the software also has built-in open data interaction
interface, which can realize the mutual conversion of structural information with other software by
means of two-dimensional development and other methods.
In order to ensure the quality after the model conversion, the conversion of the Revit model to
the ETABS model adopts the conversion form of the data interface plug-in. The developers of

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CSixRevit and ETABS are both CSi companies, which can better ensure the stability of the plug-in
and the conversion effect, which can meet the requirements of Revit.

3.3 Establishment of Structural Model

3.3.1 Project Overview

The project is located in an industrial area in Pudong New District, Shanghai. The structural form is
an assembled monolithic frame structure, the structural safety level is Class II, the structural
design service life is 50 years, the seismic intensity is 7 degrees, 4 floors above ground, and the
total structure height is 18.850. The prefabricated components include prefabricated columns,
prefabricated beams, prefabricated laminated panels, prefabricated double panels, prefabricated
cantilever panels, prefabricated stairs and prefabricated parapets, with a prefabrication rate of
40.97%. During model establishment and analysis and calculation, precast concrete columns
(precast columns for short), precast concrete composite beams (precast beams for short), precast
truss reinforced soil composite slabs (precast composite slabs for short) and precast prestressed
concrete double T slabs (for short) Prefabricated double T board) is the main research object. See
Table 1 for the concrete strength grades of precast components.

Precast component Strength grade of

Serial
Prefabricated parts concrete strength post-cast concrete
number
grade laminated layer
Precast pre-stressed concrete
1 C35 C35
double T slab
Precast concrete composite
2 C35 C35
beam
Prefabricated truss reinforced
3 concrete composite slab bottom C35 C35
plate
4 Precast concrete column C40 C40

Table 1: Concrete strength grades of precast components.

(Note: The concrete strength grade of frame beam and column joint area is the same as that of
column concrete)

3.3.2 Establishment of Revit model

This article uses Revit to build the BIM model. The establishment of the structural model can be
modified on the basis of the architectural model, but the model in this article is to directly establish
the structural model, taking into account the main research objects: prefabricated beams,
prefabricated columns, prefabricated laminated slabs and prefabricated double slabs, so in the
model. In the process of establishing, focus on these components, and the components that are
not considered will be appropriately deleted. Revit comes with a certain material library from which
you can choose commonly used components. However, when the form of the component is more
complex, the designer needs to establish the family according to the needs of the project, and the
established family can also enrich the prefabricated Component library, in the future use process,
to avoid duplication of work.

3.3.3 Conversion of ETABS model

The conversion from Revit model to ETABS model requires the installation of a data interface plug-
in, which uses the form of secondary development to ensure the stability of the interaction
between Revit and ETABS. The process of converting a Revit model to an ETABS model is as
follows:

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1. Select the Revit software, select "External Tools" in the "Add-on Modules" in the menu bar,
click the "Eport to Create New ETABS Model" option, and check the grid, frame and floor in
the pop-up option box, After confirming, save the exported file as a file in .exr format;
2. Open ETABS, click on the import "Revit Structure.exr file" in the file, enter the "Revit Data
Overlay/Control" editor, edit and adjust the warning part, and also adjust all imported
frame section types Make adjustments. If necessary, adjust the Revit model and re-
convert.
3. After checking all the imported structure data, click OK to exchange data. The ETABS
structure model obtained after conversion is shown in Figure 3. The converted model only
does not match the original model at the non-rectangular section beams. The inverted T-
shaped beam with double T-plates becomes a T-shaped beam after conversion and needs
to be modified separately.

Figure 3: ETABS structure model after conversion.

4 RESULT ANALYSIS

4.1 Definition of Load

The ETABS model converted from Revit is recorded as model A; the structural model established by
ETABS directly is recorded as model B, and the two models are compared and analyzed to study
the stability and information effectiveness of structural analysis from the converted structural
model from Revit Sex. According to the functional zoning of the building and the layout of the
structure, the definition of structural load is shown in Table 2.

Layers Floor dead load KN/m2 Floor live load KN/m2 Side beam line load KN/m
2 layers 1.50 4.00 11
3 layers 1.50 4.00 11
4th floor 1.50 4.00 11
Oya side 4.00 (partial 8.00) 3.00 11
Hut side 1.50 4.00 8

Table 2: Definition of load.

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The graphical representation of the functional zoning of building depicting the layout of the
structure is shown in Figure 4.

4.5 12
11 11 11 11
4
4 4 4 4 4 10
3.5
8
3 8
3
KN/m2

2.5

KN/m
6
2

1.5 4
1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5
1
2
0.5

0 0
2 layers 3 layers 4th floor Oya side Hut side

Floor dead load (KN/m2) Floor live load (KN/m2) Side beam line load (KN/m)

Figure 4: Graphical representation of definition of load.

It is depicted from the tabular and graphical representation that the floor deal load value ranges
from 1.5 KN/m2 to 4 KN/m2 while keeping the range of floor live load in the range of 3 KN/m2 to
4 KN/m2 . The average value of side beam line load ranges from 11 KN/mto 8 KN/m. The Oya side
shows the floor deal load value is 4 KN/m2 while the floor live load value is 3 KN/m2 . As compared to
others (2-layer, 3-layer, 4th floor and Hut side) the the Oya side shows the heigest floor dead load
(4 KN/m2 ).

5 DISCUSSION

5.1 Comparison of Modal Analysis

Self-vibration frequency and cycle are important mechanical features inherent in the structure, as
well as important parameters of structural design, and the modal analysis using ETABS can obtain
the self-vibration frequency of the various vibration types of the structure, thus reflecting the
dynamic performance of the structure under the condition of free vibration. In this paper, ETABS is
used to analyze the structure modally, extract the first 6th-order vibration type of the structure,
and get the self-vibration frequency and period of the structure.

5.1.1 Period and frequency analysis comparison:

Based on the established structural model, the first 6-order modal analysis is performed using
ETABS software. The period and natural frequency calculated by model A and model B are shown in
Table 3.

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Working conditions/ Modes Model A Model B

Working condition Modes Period sec Frequency cyc/sec Period sec Frequency cyc/sec
Capital 1 1.037 0.964 1.031 0.97
Capital 2 0.934 1.071 1.026 0.975
Capital 3 0.768 1.303 0.891 1.123
Capital 4 0.174 5.761 0.327 3.06
Capital 5 0.165 6.065 0.322 3.103
Capital 6 0.15 6.65 0.286 3.501

Table 3: Comparative analysis of period and frequency for Model A and Model B.

It is observed for Model A that the natural frequency of the model after the third order is obviously
smaller than the first three orders. It is also observed that, higher the modal order, smaller the
period of the structure and the larger the natural frequency. This is in line with the basic theory of
modal analysis. According to experience, it is consistent with the first-order period of 1.037.
The first-order period difference is only 0.006 for model B, but with the increase of the order, the
reduction rate of the model A period is larger, and the reduction rate of the model B period is
smaller. From the perspective of the first 6-stage period, the gap is within the allowable range. The
graphical comparison of the model A and Model B in terms of period and frequency is done in
Figure 5.

Mode 1 Mode 2 Mode 3 Mode 4 Mode 5 Mode 6

6.65
6.065
5.761

3.501
3.103
3.06
1.303

1.123
1.071
1.037

1.031
1.026

0.975
0.964
0.934

0.891
0.768

0.97
0.327
0.322
0.286
0.174
0.165
0.15

PERIOD (SEC) FREQUENCY PERIOD SEC FREQUENCY

(CYC/SEC) CYC/SEC
MODEL A MODEL B

Figure 5: Graphical Comparison of Model A and Model B in terms of period and frequency.

Therefore, from the comparison of period and frequency analysis, it is feasible to convert from
Revit model to ETABS model for structural analysis.

5.1.2 Vibration shape analysis and comparison:

The translation coefficient and torsion coefficient of the first 3 modes of model A and model B are
shown in Table 4.

Working condition Modes Model A Model B

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Period Period
UX Uruguay TO UX Uruguay TO
(sec) (sec)
Capital 1 1.037 0 0.999 0.001 1.031 0 0.999 0.001
Capital 2 0.934 0.988 0.001 0.011 1.026 1 0 0
Capital 3 0.768 0.022 0.092 0.886 0.891 0.006 0.097 0.897

Table 4: Translation coefficient and torsion coefficient in first three modes of Model A and Model B.

From the tabular comparison, it can be seen that the first mode shape moves in the Y direction as
a whole, and the Y direction is the structure. The vibration control direction of the second mode is
the overall translation along the X direction, and the X direction is the vibration control direction of
the structure; the third mode is torsion around the z axis. The first two modes of the structural
system are not dominated by torsion, which conforms to the relevant codes of building structure
design. Tabular depiction of Model B reveals that the lower translation coefficient and torsion
coefficient in the first three modes of model B. The difference between the translational coefficient
and the torsion coefficient under the first three modes is very small, so from the comparison of
mode analysis, it is feasible to convert the Revit model to the ETABS model for structural analysis.

5.2 Comparison of Modal Analysis

ETABS will automatically mesh the floor during calculation. The sheer force of model A is mainly
distributed between -5 and 20 under live load, and the bending moment is mainly distributed
between -5 and 10 under live load. The sheer force of model B is mainly distributed between -5
and 20 under live load. The bending moment is mainly distributed between -5 and 10 under the
action of live load. The comparative analysis of the A and B models shows that there is no
significant difference in the distribution of shear and bending moments and the magnitude of the
force. Therefore, from the comparison of shell internal force analysis, it is feasible to convert Revit
model to ETABS model for structural analysis.

5.3 Structural Dynamic Analysis under Response Spectrum Load Conditions

In this paper, response spectrum method is used for structural dynamic analysis. The relevant
parameters of the response spectrum function are defined according to the relevant regulations in
the building anti-seismic design code. The specific setting parameters are as follows: the maximum
value of the seismic influence coefficient (AlphaMax) is 0.08, the seismic intensity (SI) is 7 degrees
0.01, and the characteristic period (Tg) is 0.9, the period reduction factor (PTDF) is 0.6, and the
function damping ratio is 0.05. The function period of the response spectrum and its corresponding
acceleration are shown in Table 5.

Cycle 0 0.1 0.9 1.35 1.8 2.25

Acceleration 0.036 0.08 0.08 0.0555 0.0429 0.0351
Cycle 2.7 3.15 3.6 4.05 4.5 6
Acceleration 0.0298 0.0259 0.023 0.0207 0.0188 0.0164

Table 5: Period and corresponding acceleration.

The calculation models all define 6 mode conditions, and the mass participation ratios of model A
and model B is shown in Table 6. From the comparison, we can see that the quality participation
ratio can reach more than 90%. Therefore, from the comparison of quality participation ratio
analysis, it is feasible to convert Revit model to ETABS model for structural analysis.

Mod Model A Model B

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e
Perio Perio
Urugu Cumulati Cumulati Urugu Cumulati Cumulati
d UX d UX
ay ve UX ve UY ay ve UX ve UY
sec sec
1.03 0.00 0.724 1.03 2.09 0.855 2.09E-
1 0.0001 0.7242 0.8557
7 01 2 1 E-05 7 05
0.93 0.73 0.000 1.02 0.83 2.68E-
2 0.7336 0.7243 0.8301 0.8558
4 35 1 6 01 05
0.76 0.00 0.000 0.89 0.00 0.001
3 0.7413 0.7244 0.8304 0.857
8 77 1 1 03 2
0.17 1.7E- 0.193 0.32 0.00 0.108
4 0.7413 0.9177 0.8306 0.9651
4 05 4 7 03 2
0.16 0.18 1.11E- 0.32 0.13 0.000
5 0.9267 0.9177 0.961 0.9654
5 54 06 2 04 3
0.00 0.007 0.28 0.00 0.000
6 0.15 0.9275 0.9249 0.9615 0.9657
08 1 6 05 3

Table 6: Comparison on the basis of Quality ratio of model A and model B.

The response spectrum loads are applied in the X and Y directions respectively. The inter-story
displacement angles of Model A and Model B are shown in Table 7.

Load Model A Displacement Model B Displacement

Floor Direction
Condition/Combination Angle Angle
Hut
EX Max X 1/1963 1/2616
side
Hut
EY Max Y 1/1867 1/2055
side
Oya
EX Max X 1/1134 1/1161
side
Oya
EY Max Y 1/1084 1/1115
side
4F EX Max X 1/675 1/744
4F EY Max Y 1/632 1/747
3F EX Max X 1/611 1/650
3F EY Max Y 1/570 1/623
2F EX Max X 1/762 1/807
2F EY Max Y 1/655 1/705

Table 7: Displacement angle between model A and model B.

The inter-story displacement angles are not much different, and both are less than the maximum
limit of 1/550 required by the specification. Therefore, from the comparison analysis of the
displacement angle between floors, it is feasible to convert the Revit model to the ETABS model for
structural analysis.

6 CONCLUSION
This paper studies the prefabricated concrete structure project through reading the literature and
actual participation, combined with BIM technology, believes that the introduction of BIM into the
prefabricated concrete structure design stage can solve the current design problems and overcome
the difficulties of the design process. To promote the industrialization and automated production of
prefabricated concrete structures, the research results of this paper are as follows:

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1. According to the characteristics and process of traditional prefabricated concrete structure

design, a BIM-based prefabricated concrete structure design process is proposed, and the
new and old processes are compared and analyzed from different perspectives, showing
the connection and difference between the two.
2. According to the comparative analysis of model conversion methods, choose the data
interface plug-in with the strongest stability. Through the comparison of structural analysis
software, the more open finite element analysis software ETABS is determined. Establish
the Revit structural model of the actual engineering project and use the data interface
plug-in to convert it into an ETABS model. The ETABS model converted from the Revit
model and the model directly established by ETABS are respectively subjected to modal
analysis, shell internal force analysis and response spectrum under live load The dynamic
analysis of the structure under load conditions and comparisons are made. Each result
shows that the ETABS model converted from the Revit model through the data interface
plug-in can be used for structural analysis.
This article only conducts research from certain levels, and the areas that need to be further
deepened and improved are:
1. The data interface plug-in used in the model conversion in this paper is provided by ETABS
Development Company. For the reasons for the deviation of the higher-order modes of the
structure, further research is needed.
2. For model conversion, the conversion of non-rectangular section beams has the problem of
rotation. The conversion tool needs to be improved which will be the future research
perspective of this work. At the same time, the effect of the tool needs to be verified by
more complex and different structural types of projects in the future studies.

7 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Science and technology research project of Jiangxi Provincial Department of Education, Cost
analysis and control of prefabricated concrete building, No:181509.

J Fan Yang, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5521-555X

Shuifang Tang, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2942-6369
Saddam Hussain, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1024-4781
Mustafa Abbas Fadhel, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1656-3927
Kayhan Zrar Ghafoor, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9046-9475

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