ROBOT Software Capabilities

Our goal was to build a totally integrated system for structural analysis and design, that would be intuitive and user friendly as well as powerful and highly reliable.

ROBOT Millennium is the achievement of over 20 years of innovation, extensive developments and improvements, in response to structural engineering needs.

ROBOT Millennium is a recognised system used by more than 10,000 structural engineers world-wide and distributed in more than 50 countries.

ROBOT Millennium for Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP is built exclusively on Windows technology and is written in Visual C++ 32-bit object oriented programming language, using Microsoft’s Foundation Class libraries.

• GENERAL FEATURES

- Industry leader Graphical User Interface
- Flexible desktop environment
- Full control of graphic display
- Dynamic 3D zoom, animated 3D rotation
- Smart commands: undo/redo, copy/paste, rotate/stretch…
- Merge file with several structures
- Links with CAD systems: DWG (AutoCAD), DXF, CIM Steel, IGES, SDNF formats…
- Export to VRML format for any web browser
- Import of STD format (Staad files) and S2K format (SAP files)
- Change of units system English/SI (metric)
- User’s preferences to set units, design codes, sections properties, languages, etc…
- Built-in Help menu

• MODELING

- User defined coordinate system
- Structural axis definition in 3D
- Geometry, loading, supports and other attributes entered graphically or numerically
- Joint & element renumbering
- Any loading condition: concentrated, distributed, arbitrary loading on panels with powerful surface load generator (independent from panel geometry), temperature, wind
- Automatic wind generation according to ASCE 7-98 and EIA/TIA 222F
- Automatic load combination according to design codes
- Fixed, spring and unidirectional supports with release
- Master/slave nodes
- No practical limit on the size of structures

• REPORT GENERATION

Calculation reports prepared in the ROBOT Millennium system are totally customizable by the user and can be saved and re-used for similar structural models.
Reports always keep track of any changes made to the structural model, thereby ensuring that the calculations and results are always associated with the current structural model.

Advanced filters allow the user to quickly and accurately select and sort the results he needs : global extremes, envelopes, results for a particular member or material etc…
Detailed calculation output includes tables, graphical views, diagrams, deflected shapes, colored contours and maps (for stress, forces, and displacement).
Microsoft Word can read reports and raw data can be exported into popular spreadsheets like Microsoft Excel.
In addition to the structural analysis and design results, material take-off and cost estimation are also available.

• 2D/3D FRAME/TRUSS ANALYSIS

ROBOT Millennium allows fast and efficient generation of 2D and 3D frame structures. The software includes several databases of sections from around the world with typical material properties and a built-in library for commonly used structures such as portal frames, trusses…
Members include beams, columns, bracing, tension/compression only bars, automatic offsets, rigid or spring supports, rigid links, bar releases, compatible nodes, non-linear hinges…

• FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

ROBOT Millennium performs Finite Element analysis using built-in meshing algorithms and hole recognition methods. It provides the engineer with unparalleled power and ease of use and makes the FE analysis a practical solution for the Structural Engineer.

• PLATES AND SHELLS
Plates and shells are defined using contours and assigning panels properties. Such elements are used for slabs, walls, cylinders, arches, domes or any surface elements.
Includes a library of common plate and shell structures.
- Various thickness of FE is available
- Triangular or quadrilateral elements (3, 4, 8, 12 nodes). Automatic mesh refinement at stress
concentration points. User-defined emitter points for special mesh refinement.
- Unlimited loads definitions such as linear, concentrated and area loads. Load definition independent from
panel geometry and mesh. Automatic distribution of the loads on panels meshes
- Graphical maps with stress and forces contours
- Unlimited panel cuts for results along plates and shells
- Automatic panel cuts for shear walls analysis
• VOLUMETRIC AND SOLIDS
ROBOT Millennium Solids FE enable easy and efficient generation of complex 3D volumetric structures for :
- Unlimited applications in mechanical engineering
- Stress verification on welded structures
- Detailed analysis of steel connections
The volumetric 3D elements are created with faces which limit solid volume (using arbitrary contours or predefined objects such as a circle, rectangle, cube, cylinder, cone)
- Possibility of importing in the NEU files
- Solid creation by extrusion and revolution mechanisms or advanced object combinations (Boolean
operation)
- Presentation of solid mechanical properties in a table of properties
- Possibility of assigning supports to entire solid face
- Loads definition on the solid faces
- 3D meshing using tetrahedral or hexahedral finite elements
- New emitter type for tetrahedral mesh generation
- Powerful display of 3D objects with quick shading through OPEN GL viewer
- Maps of results and graphical cuts along solids available
- ACIS solid modeler for more complex modeling and advanced objects combinations

• ADVANCED ANALYSIS

A key strength of ROBOT Millennium is its ability to handle a wide range of advanced analysis types. Several sophisticated solvers and algorithms are used according to the analysis type.

All the advanced features listed below are accessible through the familiar ROBOT graphical user interface and ensure that ROBOT Millennium is an integrated system for all structural engineering problems.
• NON LINEAR
ROBOT Millennium is a well-proven solution for structural non-linearity. It provides accurate solutions for small and large displacement analysis (incremental and P-Delta available).
The software handles:
- tension/compression only members
- true catenary cables elements (see below)
- elastic supports and springs
- non linear releases (definition of Moment–rotation or Force-displacement curves)
- plastic hinges (definition of Moment–rotation and Force-displacement curves)
Non linear methods include BFGS, Newton-Raphson, Modified Newton-Raphson iterative solvers with incremental loading and the arc-length method.
• BEAM PLASTICITY
The software includes material non-linearity with elasto-plastic members.
• CABLES
Cables elements in ROBOT Millennium behave as true catenaries and may be subject to several loading conditions: external concentrated or distributed loads, temperature, internal prestress… The analysis of cable structures (cable stayed and cable nets) is performed with the non-linear stress stiffening and large displacement (P-Delta) option.
Cables can be defined either by:
- initial prestress in ksi
- initial tension force in kips
- initial length in ft
- initial sag or elongation in inches
• DYNAMICS
Frequency, modal, pseudo modal and Eigen analysis can be performed and used to assess the response of the structure to earthquake loading or any vibration.
Modal combination methods include CQC and SRSS.
Deflected shapes of each mode can be displayed with or without animation.
Percent of total mass participating in modal analysis may be computed. Some static loads can be converted into masses prior to modal analysis.
Dynamic analysis can be carried out as :
- harmonic
- response spectrum analysis (including frequently used spectra databases)
- transient analysis (time history) both linear and non-linear
- seismic analysis according to UBC97 and IBC2000
• PUSH-OVER
This analysis includes:
- Plastic hinge elements used as non-linear hinges, releases and supports in frame elements
- Axial, flexural, shear and torsional behavior
- Axial load-biaxial moment interaction
- Multilinear behavior including softening
- P-delta option
- Tabulated and Graphical display of hinge status
- FEMA 273, ATC-40 codes
- Automated force-deformation relations for steel hinges
- Modal, uniform, or user-defined lateral load patterns according to unit acceleration
- Capacity Spectrum conversions
- Effective damping calculation
- Demand Spectrum comparisons
- Performance point calculation
- Gap (compression only) and Hook (tension only) elements
- Uniaxial plasticity (all 6 degrees of freedom)
- Real time displays of nonlinear deformation behavior
- Force versus deformation plots of nonlinear systems for energy dissipation check
- Nonlinear Link Element for dynamic time history analysis option
• BUCKLING
ROBOT Millennium can calculate the critical load of members in a structural system in order to check the stability of the structure. It can combine non-linear effects.
• MOVING LOADS
ROBOT Millennium can generate automatic moving loads using libraries of vehicles (standard AASHTO, etc…) or user-defined vehicle patterns. Axle loads may be applied in any direction. Combination of static and dynamic loads is calculated to obtain influence lines diagrams.
Includes an additional module “Autoloader” for calculation of most critical vehicle position per AASHTO code.

• DESIGN

There is a total integration of the analysis and the design in ROBOT Millennium. Design code checks of steel and reinforced concrete are available for many different standards.
• STEEL DESIGN
ROBOT Millennium performs the design of steel members according to AISC ASD and LRFD, EIA-TIA (for towers), CAN/CSA-S16.1-M94, BS 5950, EC3 and other international codes.
Detailed calculation reports include codes references and articles. The user may require design check or let ROBOT Millennium system optimize member sizes to sustain the applied loads. Member grouping is available for rationalized design.
- Automatic calculation of Ky and Kz and lateral buckling parameters available
- Member strength check according to allowable stresses and maximum ratio
- Graphical display of unity checks and critical parameters
- Member or group optimization according to several criteria (weight, section dimensions, etc…)
- Member deflection check included
The total weight and volume of steel may be computed.
• CONCRETE DESIGN
ROBOT Millennium can design reinforced concrete structures to many standards including ACI318-99, BS 8110, EC2 and others.
All results are available at both the serviceability and ultimate limit states.
Features include:
- Calculation of required as well as provided reinforcement in previously analyzed members taking into account code provisions relating to crack-control, minimum reinforcement and spacing between bars, covers, stirrup requirements etc…
- Complete design of plates and shells elements (slabs and walls) with punching shear and crack deflection checks, definition of top and bottom reinforcement with bar spacing
- Beams ( rectangular or T shapes) include design of flexural, shear, and torsion reinforcement
- Columns (square, rectangular or round sections) include design for combined axial compression and biaxial bending, as well as combined axial tension and biaxial bending with interaction diagrams
- Footings include design for combined axial compression/tension and biaxial bending
- Shop-drawings available for beams, columns and footings design showing detailed rebars arrangement, bar lengths and several cross sections along elements
- Detailed rebars schedule also available for slab reinforcement

• SECTION BUILDER

In addition to the "standard" sections available in databases, the ROBOT user may create any new section using the ROBOT Millennium GUI: arbitrary shape, built-up, thin-walled and composite sections. After calculation of properties (including torsion), new sections may be saved, added to the database and used in a global structure. The section builder also includes a library of pre-defined complex sections.

• STRESS ANALYSIS

In addition to the global analysis, the user can perform local analysis on a chosen element to evaluate the stress distribution across and along this member. The contribution of axial force, bending moment and shear force may be investigated separately in order to provide a complete solution for section design.

• COM® TECHNOLOGY

ROBOT Millennium is supporting COM® technology from Microsoft®. This technology allows a direct connection among different software systems.
COM® technology is a powerful tool to create personal analysis notes, to automate repetitive tasks or to interface ROBOT Millennium input/ouput with in-house applications through Visual Basic.