Structural engineering has taken a leap forward at Price & Myers 3D Engineering with Digital Project. The London based consultancy formed in 2001 by Tim Lucas has built a reputation for engineering geometrically and structurally complex projects. Its inventive structures for buildings, bridges and sculptures are designed to produce an elegant, economical and rational solution.

Digital Project evolved from 15 years of experience gained by Gehry Partners in the use of CATIA in building design, digital contracting, project coordination, and construction of some very large projects incorporating organic 3D geometry. The success and achievements of Gehry Partners and Gehry Technologies Inc., was a major factor in Price & Myers 3D's decision to invest in Digital Project. 

Tim Lucas, a Partner in Price and Myers 3D Engineering, said: "The software has been proved by Gehry on large scale very complicated buildings which gives us the confidence to tackle more challenging projects."

Price & Myers 3D is working in collaboration with CenitDesktop, Gehry Technologies' UK Business Partner. Its long standing experience with CATIA gives it the skills to service the UK AEC market. Tim Lucas commented: "The team at CenitDesktop have provided training and ongoing support, as well as detailed hand holding for some of our most complex requirements." 

Already the system has been used in the design of Cutting Edge, an 81metre long stainless steel sculpture which will curve down a Sheffield hillside. Fabricated in Bristol, the structure consists of 160 laser cut and formed panels which have to fit together within a 2mm tolerance on a supporting framework.

"The sculpture progresses from a circular cross section to a pointed blade shape along its length. We used Digital Project to model each panel then, with the aid of design tables, we were able to repeat the panels over the surface of the entire sculpture."  The software was used to generate the development of all the curved surfaces into flat panels ready for laser cutting, and it was also used to create cross sections of the sculpture at one metre intervals to allow the fabricator to accurately build and check the structure. "We have found that Digital Project is very tolerant of large amounts of model data. We are able to add parts, and turn on and off elements of the design without any difficulty."

Digital Project provides some powerful tools for rationalising building designs. Working in collaboration with architects, Price & Myers 3D can take an advanced shape and turn it into a buildable project while maintaining the original design intent. Tim Lucas explained: "Buildings are largely constructed of 2D elements such as beams, glass and plywood. We are working on a two storey roof extension to a100m long Northern mill. The architect's aim is for the extension to resemble woven silk fibres. Our solution achieves their requirement, but repeatedly utilises one radius of steel beam rather than randomly shaped beams. The result is a rationalised design which is far more economical and practical to construct."

Price & Myers 3D has found that the ability of Digital Project to model parts and assemblies, 3D wire frame data, and carry out advanced surfacing is particularly valuable for rationalising and checking the structural integrity of a project. Utilising the wire frame model, nodes can be distributed across beams and trusses in preparation for structural analysis. Tim Lucas concluded: "The software has made it easier to arrive at an elegant solution and, because of its capability, the rationalisation of the design is likely to be better. Additionally, we are experiencing speed improvements of around 40%. We are now working on much more complex designs. Digital Project gives us the confidence to work on stadium sized projects."