Robot vs. CSI Products for Use with Revit

[Anonymous]

Hello all,

Quick company background: I work for a US-based company that works on building-type structures with emphasis on seismic evaluations and retrofits, and a growing new-construction practice.  I'm currently working on advancing my company's utilization of BIM for our projects.  A big part of this involves utilizing Revit's analytical model to avoid unnecessary duplication of work.  I have seen a lot of topics out there concerning Robot as the analytical tool of choice with Revit's analytical model.  I also have attended multiple classes at Autodesk University 2016 and 2017 where the focus is largely on using Robot over any other analytical software.

I have two main issues I would like addressed:

The first issue I am faced with is that nobody in my office has ever heard of Robot since it is not a native US-based software.  Everybody has been working with software like SAP2000 and ETABS for decades, we have performed internal verification,  and it is simply what they are familiar with.  I am hesitant to lead everybody towards any new software which they do not trust and would involve additional training beyond all the other BIM-related training I have planned for the company.

That being said, if Robot truly is a better analytical tool, then I don't have an issue with pushing our company in that direction.  However, is it a better tool?  I know that is a broad question that generally does not get answered directly.  I am aware that CSI products have more advanced analytical capabilities (if you purchase the "Advanced" or "Ultimate" versions, which are quite expensive) as well as US-based design options than Robot since Robot is not a native US code (although it has been part of Autodesk for years, so you would think that they would be working hard to advance their US design capabilities.....).  However, 95% of our projects typically do not require this level of advanced analysis.  To my knowledge, Robot and CSI products appear to be on relatively similar levels for the types of projects we do.  So, my main question in the interest of best utilizing our Revit models is: What analytical software works better with Revit?  The generic answer I received in passing at Autodesk University is "Robot is an Autodesk product, so it darn well better work better with Revit", but I never received any specific examples of why?  Thus, I don't know if that was Autodesk employees advertising their own product, or if there are factual reasons supporting their responses.

If anybody has specific examples, reasoning, personal experiences that relate to my question, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Well, as any question regarding one of the major analytical software packages, the answer may vary depending on personal preference. Having worked with ETABS as well as Robot, I can think of very few points where the one could substitute the other apart from basic linear frame analysis.
Robot is full of capabilities but is somewhat limited to linear analysis. So assessment is not its best field. However, finite elements and design codes are really well set and everyday tasks are easy. It is not as transparent as etabs or sap2000, as it features a lot of auto functions that might require verification.
Regarding Revit connectivity, of course robot might be considered better but do not expect perfect functionality. I have never been able to transfer without problems or troubleshooting. But this might have more to do with revit thatm robot.
My total view on the matter is that firstly a structural design office should choose an analysis software that suits their needs and then find the best way to connect as much as possible with revit.

[Anonymous]

Before deciding on this you should wait to see if Autodesk is not discontinuing Robot.
Since 2015 no major updates have been done to Robot.
Due to this we started using Etabs along Robot.
I work with Robot since 2005 and I started using Etabs only last year, so my point of view cannot be objective yet.

[Rafacascudo]

Well , that' a complicated and delicate matter.
See here what Robot can do https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/robot-structural-analysis-forum/robot-art-gallery-real-structures-and...

Now see here where we ,almost all users of this forum , are trying to make Autodesk wake up and restart developing RSA so it can become the best structural analysis software.
https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/robot-structural-analysis-forum/save-our-rsa/td-p/7601162

And

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/robot-structural-analysis-forum/respect-our-mind/td-p/7635430

On both threads you will find information on what we think about Revit-RSA Integration and also about Autodesk plans for structural analysis, Forge, cloud analysis...
I hope this thread can motivate autodesk to come here and give you some satisfying anwers, because for us , until now, the autodesk answers were very very
Rare , and not satisfying at all

[saclovitzky]

Hello,

I am using both ARSAP and ETABS,personally my day-to-day analysis software is ARSAP for the following reasons;

    - finite element analysis of slabs/walls it is really great for me.

    - 3D analysis of building structures(for me I only use it below 10 stories but other users can designed up to more than 30 stories).

I used ETABS for high-rise buildings(10 stories up), due to the ff;

     - automatic lateral load analysis for wind /seismic.

     - setting up displacement target

     - rc design(colums/beams/walls)

For me ARSAP and ETABS are good tools for analysis but also personal preference is a major consideration.

Regarding BIM/Structural software analysis integration, personally, there's no perfect integration. If any software  company claims that their software can seamlessly integrate with BIM, I would say, they are "lying".

One thing I can tell you that ARSAP "technical support " is second to none, aside from the tirelessly working technical staff(Artur/Rafal), brilliant engineers in the ARSAP forum will help  your problem, you name it they know it(I assure you).

Although, at the moment, there are a couple of issues in the development of ARSAP(as mentioned in a couple of thread), I still would recommend to have your company  obtained this wonderful piece of software(ARSAP). I personally believe that this software  is a good investment to any company's analysis and design arsenal.

[mustafahesenow]

Hi @Anonymous

What I believe That Robot can be the best software for structural analysis and can be implemented in many companies this is all if there is serious development to fix the lack and the problems encountered plus include new features .

With respect the US based software but all of them dont give half of Robot flexibility . So the way for Robot to lead the market is much more shorter than the other softwares .

[y_hassanGD373]

Have a good day,

We are desperately awaiting the membrane and plate options in Autodesk Robot for post-tensioned analysis, including stress check and losses, of slab beams, walls, and columns.

[umut.akparlar]

Hi,

The new Revit 2025.2 analytical automation is way better than the old one, I think you need to try it before deciding for interoperability. Both Robot and Revit, are Autodesk products, so we can expect those two to work better together.

You can also check the revit roadmap https://www.autodesk.com/blogs/aec/roadmap/revit-structure-roadmap/?redirected=1