Advance Design is a comprehensive Finite Element Analysis and structural design solution developed for structural engineers. It combines structural modelling, FEM analysis, code-based design, optimisation and engineering documentation within one integrated environment.
The software is designed for projects ranging from individual structural elements to complex buildings and engineering structures. It supports reinforced concrete, steel, timber, composite and masonry structures, allowing engineers to analyse mixed-material projects within the same analytical model.
Structural Modelling and FEM Analysis
Advance Design provides a complete 3D environment for creating and managing analytical structural models. Engineers can define geometry, materials, cross-sections, supports, releases, loads and other structural properties directly within the model.
The software includes dedicated tools for structural modelling and finite element analysis, including linear and planar elements, slabs, walls, structural members and supports.
A finite element mesh can then be generated to analyse the behaviour of the structure. Advance Design combines meshing capabilities with a multicore FEM calculation engine, helping engineers work efficiently on complex structural models.
Structural Analysis
Advance Design enables engineers to study the global behaviour of structures under different loading conditions.
The software includes capabilities for:
Static analysis
Dynamic analysis
Seismic analysis
Stability and buckling analysis
Pushover analysis
Construction-stage analysis
Engineers can review displacements, reactions, internal forces, stresses, modal behaviour and stability results using graphical and numerical post-processing tools.
For seismic projects, dedicated capabilities support response-spectrum analysis and the distribution of seismic forces according to structural mass and stiffness.
Advance Design also includes a 3D climatic load generator for wind and snow loads, including complex geometries and snow-drift configurations.
Construction-stage analysis allows engineers to represent the progressive erection of a structure by activating or deactivating elements and loads during different stages.
Reinforced Concrete Design
Advance Design provides an integrated workflow for reinforced concrete analysis and design. Engineers can perform global FEM analysis and calculate reinforcement requirements based on the resulting structural forces.
Dedicated reinforced concrete design modules support the detailed verification and design of elements such as:
Beams
Columns
Walls
Foundations
These modules use forces calculated from the global analytical model, maintaining continuity between overall structural behaviour and detailed element design.
Advance Design can also generate reinforcement information and engineering documentation, including reinforcement schedules and DWG/DXF outputs.
Foundation design capabilities allow isolated and strip footings to be designed using structural and soil loads, with reinforcement optimisation and calculation documentation.
Advance Design 2027 also introduces a dedicated reinforced concrete retaining wall module covering geometry, soil definition, stability checks, structural design, reinforcement and reporting.
Steel Structural Analysis and Optimisation
For steel structures, Advance Design combines global FEM analysis with member verification and optimisation.
Engineers can analyse steel beams, columns, frames and other members while considering strength, stability, deflection and buckling requirements.
The software includes advanced stability capabilities for member behaviour such as lateral-torsional buckling and warping.
Cold-formed steel elements such as purlins, channels and studs can also be verified for strength, stability and deflection.
Dedicated steel connection capabilities extend the workflow from global structural analysis to local connection verification.
Advance Design also includes crane load generation tools for structures containing runway beams and cranes. Engineers can define crane and runway parameters, while the software calculates associated loads and influence lines.
Timber and CLT Design
Advance Design includes capabilities for the calculation and verification of timber members.
Advance Design 2027 expands timber analysis through Layered Shell finite elements and a dedicated workflow for Cross-Laminated Timber, or CLT, structures.
Layered Shells allow engineers to define structural components made from multiple layers, with individual material properties, thicknesses and orientations.
This makes it possible to represent systems such as:
CLT panels
Timber-concrete composite elements
Sandwich panels
Other multilayer or orthotropic structural components
For CLT structures, Advance Design provides layer-by-layer stress evaluation and Eurocode-based verification, allowing engineers to analyse the behaviour of the overall panel and its individual layers within the FEM model.
Composite and Masonry Structures
Advance Design also supports structures combining different construction materials.
Composite beams can be modelled with the steel section and concrete slab acting together structurally.
For masonry structures, the software includes verification capabilities for masonry walls, including structures combining masonry and reinforced concrete elements.
The ability to model concrete, steel, timber, composite and masonry elements within the same analytical environment is particularly useful for mixed-material structures.
BIM and Structural Interoperability
Advance Design is designed to integrate into BIM and digital structural engineering workflows.
It provides interoperability with:
Autodesk Revit
Advance Steel
IDEA StatiCa
SAF
IFC
GRAITEC GTCX
With Revit, structural geometry and analytical information can be exchanged between the BIM model and Advance Design, helping maintain continuity between structural modelling and analysis.
Integration with Advance Steel connects structural analysis with steel detailing and fabrication workflows.
SAF enables the exchange of analytical models, including geometry, loads and boundary conditions, with compatible structural applications.
IFC provides an openBIM exchange workflow, while GTCX supports engineering data exchange within the GRAITEC ecosystem.
Code-Based Structural Design
Advance Design combines global FEM analysis with code-based structural verification.
The software supports major structural design standards, including Eurocodes and North American standards, with dedicated checks depending on the structural material and element type.
This helps engineers move from structural calculation results to regulatory verification within the same engineering workflow.
Dedicated design modules further extend the process with detailed checks, reinforcement design, connection verification and element optimisation based on forces extracted from the global analytical model.
Results and Engineering Documentation
Advance Design provides graphical and numerical tools for reviewing structural results.
Results can be displayed directly on the 3D model using diagrams, maps, graphical representations and numerical tables.
Depending on the analysis, engineers can review information such as:
Internal forces
Stresses
Displacements
Reactions
Reinforcement results
Stability results
Calculation reports can combine numerical results, tables, diagrams, load information, calculation notes and drawings into structured engineering documentation.
Reports can be updated as the structural model changes, helping maintain consistency between the calculation model and project documentation.
GRAITEC Assistant
Advance Design 2027 introduces the GRAITEC Assistant, bringing AI-powered interaction directly into the structural engineering environment.
Engineers can use the Assistant to access information, navigate software functionality, interact with the model and explore engineering results.
The Assistant can help users query model information and access relevant product and engineering knowledge without relying entirely on manual navigation through commands and result tables.
Advance Design 2027 also introduces reusable Skills that can encapsulate engineering processes, internal methods or repetitive workflows.
These Skills can be adapted and shared, helping engineering teams standardise selected processes and reuse established working methods.
Open API and Automation
Advance Design 2027 introduces an Open API based on REST technology.
The API provides programmatic access to areas such as modelling, load configuration, analysis and result extraction.
This allows engineering organisations to develop customised workflows, automate repetitive tasks, run parametric or batch processes and connect Advance Design with external applications or internal systems.
Combined with the GRAITEC Assistant and reusable Skills, the Open API expands Advance Design from a traditional structural analysis application into a more open and customisable engineering platform.
An Integrated Structural Engineering Workflow
The main strength of Advance Design is the combination of structural modelling, FEM analysis, material-specific design, code verification, BIM interoperability, automation and engineering documentation within one coordinated environment.
Engineers can create the analytical model, apply loads, perform FEM calculations, assess structural behaviour, optimise members, carry out detailed design checks and produce calculation documentation while keeping engineering data connected.
Overall, GRAITEC Advance Design provides structural engineers with an integrated FEM and structural design environment for modelling, analysing, verifying and optimising structures while connecting structural calculations with BIM, automation and AI-assisted engineering workflows.
Average Rating: 5.0/5.0
Total Reviews: 1
How Do G2 Users Rate GRAITEC Advance Design?
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Quality of Support: 6.7/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)
Who Is the Company Behind GRAITEC Advance Design?
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Seller: GRAITEC
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Year Founded: 1986
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HQ Location: Paris, Île-de-France, France
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Twitter: @GRAITEC_group
1,255 Twitter followers
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LinkedIn® Page: www.linkedin.com
377 employees on LinkedIn®
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