Arch Analyser: Complete Guide to Architectural Data Inspection

Arch Analyser Tips & Tricks: Maximize Your Modeling Accuracy

Purpose

Provides focused techniques to improve modeling accuracy when using Arch Analyser for architectural analysis and simulation.

Data preparation

• Clean input geometry: remove duplicate vertices, flipped normals, and tiny faces before import.
• Use consistent units: set and verify units (m, mm, ft) across all files and libraries.
• Simplify non-structural detail: hide ornamental elements that don’t affect analysis to reduce noise and improve solver stability.

Model setup

• Define materials precisely: assign realistic material properties (density, Young’s modulus, thermal conductivity) rather than defaults.
• Mesh thoughtfully: apply finer mesh to high-stress or high-gradient regions and coarser mesh elsewhere; use adaptive meshing if available.
• Check boundary conditions: ensure supports, fixtures, and load paths reflect real constraints; mis-specified BCs are a common source of large errors.

Loads and combinations

• Use code-based load combinations: implement local building-code combinations (dead, live, wind, snow, seismic) rather than single-case loads.
• Apply distributed loads correctly: convert point loads from model elements into equivalent distributed loads where appropriate to match reality.
• Include construction sequence effects: model staged loads for multi-phase construction or temporary supports when relevant.

Solver and analysis settings

• Run convergence checks: perform mesh convergence and iterative-solver tolerance studies to ensure results are mesh-independent.
• Start with linear analysis, then refine: use linear elastic runs to find hotspots, then run nonlinear/material or geometric analyses where needed.
• Monitor solver warnings: treat warnings as actionable—investigate ill-conditioned matrices, large deformations, or contact failures.

Validation and QA

• Cross-check with hand calculations: validate critical results (reactions, simple beam/shear/moment) with manual calculations or simplified models.
• Compare with alternative tools: run key cases in a second solver or simplified FEM package to confirm consistency.
• Use unit tests for model components: isolate and test members or assemblies (beams, trusses, connections) before full-model runs.

Post-processing and interpretation

• Visualize stresses and deformations together: overlay displacement shapes with stress contours to verify physically consistent behavior.
• Inspect reaction balance: ensure global equilibrium (sum of reactions equals applied loads) to catch modeling mistakes.
• Report uncertainties: quantify sensitivity to material properties, load magnitudes, and mesh density where decisions depend on thresholds.

Productivity shortcuts

• Create templates and libraries: store validated materials, load cases, and boundary-condition templates for reuse.
• Automate repetitive checks: script batch runs for parameter sweeps, convergence studies, and report generation.
• Use named selections: group elements (floors, frames, façades) for faster assignment of properties and loads.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Over-relying on defaults: default materials/meshes are convenient but often inaccurate.
• Neglecting connections and joints: simplified rigid connections can misrepresent real behavior—model semi-rigid or pinned connections when important.
• Ignoring geometry tolerances: tolerances and tiny gaps can break mesh generation or contact definitions.

Quick checklist (before final report)

1. Geometry cleaned and units verified
2. Materials defined realistically
3. Mesh convergence checked
4. Boundary conditions and loads verified
5. Key results hand-checked or cross-validated
6. Uncertainties documented

If you want, I can convert this into a printable one-page checklist, or generate scripts/templates for your common Arch Analyser workflows.