Software for Civil, Structural and Architectural Excellence - An Overview

The global meltdown has not been able to challenge the Infrastructure industry, as severely as the other industries, like someone said good humouredly "We do need houses, roads and highways to live, commute and transport goods." The software industry that caters to the Civil Engineering and allied industries, has surely made IT, a sustainable business!

The IT industry has infused, computer driven operations, into every element of Infrastructure, allowing total synergy of good quality materials, state-of-the-art construction methods, simplified and user-friendly software for designs that are universal, affordable, and amazingly accurate.

Several internationally focused companies have developed a global Analysis & Design platform that allows you to verify and optimize your structures, and rapidly create all the necessary drawings, without having to re-input data. This enhances efficiency and results in productivity-leap!

It is interesting to note drastically different views by experts from different fields of specialization.

Dr CS Viswanatha, Chairman, Civil-Aid Technoclinic Bangalore—equipped with PhD in Concrete Structures, seven- teen long years of teaching Structural Engineering, coupled with over 3 decades of experience in Structural Engineering Consultancy, he has mixed views on computeri- zation of Civil, structural and architectural operations. He is considered an authority in structural Engineering.

Says Dr, "In the last decade, we have gradually changed over from manual drafting to computer aided drafting. On similar lines there is a change over in the field of survey, estimates and related areas. There is a clear shift from manual workouts to computer solutions in these areas."

He admits the significant role played by software in construction. "In my opinion, it is the design field that is getting the maximum benefits from the latest range of software products."


Argues Dr Viswanatha," The present generation of engineering students lap up software solutions, without getting a hold on the fundamentals. In this process, they are unable to figure out if computer–generated solutions for a problem in design or process, are in order. Any software solution will provide the desired results, only if one is strong in fundamentals and can identify the accuracy of the data.

There have been a large number of cases wherein structures have been designed and built, based on wrong output by the computer, which is the direct result of wrong input being fed into the computer."


Jackbastian Nazareth, the COO of Bangalore's famed builders and developers, Purvankara Projects Ltd, shares his views on the transition from manual designs to computer-aided designs in construction, "Software industry can play a pivotal role in the typical brick and mortar industry like Construction, right from designing and planning to construction and delivery. Software can help standardize the processes and build an end-to-end solution that can improve efficiency, turnaround time, delivery, profits to the company and value to customers. Drawings on paper and models for 3D visualization, are a thing of past. In the current electronic age, 3D models are generated on the fly, for instant decision making."


In mature organizations like Puravankara, reveals Jack, "We embrace cutting edge technology advancements in the area of CAD and IT. Our drawings are built in 3D unlike earlier where only 2D drawings were drafted and a 3D model/visualization was only limited to walkthroughs and the like. 3D gives us greater flexibility, while drafting for instant visualization from all angles. Besides design, estimates and calculations are done using specialized engineering software, for better accuracy, planning and execution. With Autocad and Revit, estimates and calculations are just a click away."


Jack explains the clear advantages of software in design and construction. "In the case of Civil, ERP, it helps in estimating, budgets and finding overruns. Specialized software helps in optimizing quantities and reducing wastage in Cement, Steel, Concrete blocks etc. When it comes to Architecture, right from conceptualization to working drawings and models, are done through the software. Be it planning for plumbing lines, electrical cabling, landscaping, etc., almost everything is done electronically. Paper outputs have merely been restricted to approvals from government bodies."


Explains Jack "For builders and property developers, with so many variables, using a standardized IT framework is the biggest challenge. Most ERPs need to be customized to cater to one's organization in lieu of a standard framework. If companies can adopt the best IT practices, it can add tremendous value both to the top-line and bottom-line growth of the company. This will in turn help software vendors to develop products that are plug-n-play from day 1."

Ashok Dutta, an architect par excellence, with an enviable portfolio, is a visiting lecturer at many reputed institutions like ISHRAE and IFMA. Having worked with Gehry technology, in the area of building information technology and Clough Harbour and associates in the application of CAD in construction, experimenting with Innovations in design and construction, is an effortless, effective exercise for him. Says Ashok, currently the Co-founder of Studio Decode, Bangalore, “Firstly Construction is a collaborative effort. Architecture, civil engineering, MEP (Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing), construction management, PMC (project management) etc. are all important components, that collaborate to create an end result which is the constructed end product.

The role of IT in design and construction, is akin to the role of computers in modern day living. It’s everywhere, doing everything. From enabling rationalization of complex designs to analytical, to communicating those designs to PLM (project lifecycle management), it’s doing everything. Computers are also allowing designers to fabricate and assemble complex forms, which would not have been possible through traditional processes of construction.

The construction process generates a vast amount of data, be it construction related, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, material specification, vendor information etc. Critical information related to these processes needs to be managed, stored and retrieved whenever required. Hence ideas such as PLM, LCM, ERM etc. are becoming more common in the building industry.

“The software penetration in construction, has radically changed the way in which we think of assembling a building today” says this ace architect.

Autodesk, is today, a name to reckon with, in software solutions for design, civil and architectural excellence, due to its Revit– the architect-friendly designing tool, that ensures accuracy and perfection in all types of designs.

Jayant Keswani, Head Marketing, Autodesk India and SAARC, shares his views on changing India’s adoption of new design techniques, that deploy state-of-the- art design software, for desired results.

Explains Jayant “Every industry is realizing that design is a critical aspect in business and to sustain in a competitive environment. Furthermore, development of world class infrastructure from highways, metro-rail projects, new airports, hi-tech offices and commercial buildings is evidence enough of the huge opportunities for design-related work in the Indian market.”

According to Jayant, use of software makes available a reliable, coordinated and consistent digital representation of the building for design decision making, high-quality construction, document production, construction planning and performance predictions. Building Information Modeling (BIM), with its ability to address these challenges is perceived as an important tool of change in the architecture, engineering and construction industry. Jayant believes that the key issues challenging BIM adoption in India revolve around costs, software, additional hardware and training. “While various design technologies have gained prominence in the construction and infrastructure sectors in India, we believe that, it is the adoption of concepts such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) that would bring about the desirable change in the sector” says Jayant.

“The challenges in using latest software solutions to yield optimum results in the field of civil, structural and architectural innovations, is around finding the right talent to work on these software solutions,” he concludes.


These are the corporate objectives at Paras Cadd Pvt Ltd., a Mumbai based IT-solution provider for Engineering companies. The company’s expertise in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry is noteworthy.

Managing Director, Amit Borele, feels that, with the growing population in big cities and an increase in the percentage enjoying luxury-dripping elite lifestyles, there is a growing demand all over the country for automation for accuracy, optimum design, cost effective, safe and sustainable design and construction. It is therefore critical, to streamline every process starting from conceptual design, detailed design to construction and maintenance of all the assets.


From water supply systems to buildings, power plants to bridges and tunnels, software solutions are extensively used in Civil engineering.

MN Ramesh, Specialist in Remedial Engineering, has an experience-medley in all areas of Civil Engineering, having worked with Hindustan Steel Works Construction Limited, with METCA US at their Saudi Arabia office, later with Torsteel Research Foundation in India, Bangalore, Fosroc Chemicals, BBR India, and now the CEO of Savcor India Pvt Ltd Bangalore.

Savcor is an Australian Head Quartered Infrastructure company, with thrust on Remedial Engineering and Structural Health Monitoring areas.

Says Ramesh, “Civil engineers use simulation software, to guide design and construction as well as to solve a wide range of projects in areas including Building, Environmental engineering, Geotechnical engineering, Hydraulic engineering, Materials science, Structural engineering, Transportation engineering, and Wind engineering.

By using software solutions from specialists, one can design and realize truly innovative structures, faster than ever before. New alternative materials can be investigated and their impacts on the structure of the construction, the comfort levels of the building occupants, and their safety, can be analyzed, before the commencement of construction. Through simulation-driven building design, cost-effective and environment-friendly solutions can be combined, with original and innovative architecture.

Analyses, structural and architectural design, drafting, detailing, structural health monitoring, remedial engineering, are some of the areas extensively benefited by IT solutions. ERP and other planning and monitoring solutions are very helpful in project administration and implantation.

According to Ramesh, in structural Engineering, solutions like SAP, ANSIS, STAAD etc. are very commonly known and used. The process of providing IT solutions for Civil Engineering industry demands understanding of the interdisciplinary needs. In this direction, there must be active and seamless interactions among various stakeholders of the industry.

On the need for upgrading IT solutions, Ramesh says,” I think such solutions are already being used extensively in the Indian context. But what is important is refinement and up gradation of these solutions to suit the ever growing challenges of the Civil Engineering industry. You can see that this process is faster in Aeronautical engineering and such other fields than in civil engineering.”

We can summarize all these views, thus, "A fully integrated end-to-end IT solution from concept to commissioning, with financial forecasts, which crosses the technical, disciplinal and commercial barriers, is the need of the hour. IT solutions must facilitate energy efficient asset management and proactive maintenance of the assets, for optimized serviceability.”