The text below is an example of a context engineering document for use with AI assisted engineering and design. You may choose to include 'fixed' geometry in this document or you may prefer to design with iterative inputs hardcoded into your design pipeline. Both are possible.
NOTE: This document has been scrubbed of identifying information for use as a general example.
Develop a parametric Python-based structural design tool for preliminary sizing (30% design level) of primary and secondary structural members for a large industrial steel portal frame building with heavy crane systems. The tool must provide member sizing, basic code compliance checks, and visual schematics for engineering review and cost estimation.
- Footprint: 380 ft × 160 ft
- Sidewall Height: 52 ft to eave
- Roof: Low-slope gable, 2.5 ft rise to apex (54.5 ft total height), slope ~0.4:12
- Structural System: Steel rigid portal frame
- Frame Spacing: Parametric (target 32 ft)
- Clear Height: 38 ft minimum for crane operations
- Crane System: Dual 550-ton overhead bridge cranes (118 ft span, 38 ft bridge width)
- Steel: AISC 360-22
- Building Code: IBC 2021
- Loads: ASCE 7-22
- Risk Category: RC III minimum (RC IV if critical infrastructure)
- Crane: CMAA 70-2020, AISC Design Guide 7
Gravity:
- Roof Live: 20 psf (before reduction)
- Roof Dead: 6-8 psf
- Wall Dead: 12 psf
Wind:
- Per ASCE 7 Hazard Tool for site
- Exposure Category C
Crane Loads:
- Vertical Impact: 25% for powered cranes
- Lateral: 20% of (lifted load + trolley)
- Longitudinal: 10% of wheel loads
Materials: A992 steel (Fy = 50 ksi)
- Building drift: H/400 to H/500 (service wind)
- Runway vertical deflection: L/600 (max wheel + impact)
- Runway lateral deflection: L/400
- Roof members: L/240 (live), L/180 (total)
- Portal Frame Columns: W14×370 to W14×550 or built-up
- Portal Frame Rafters: 160 ft span requires built-up tapered sections with haunches
- Crane Runway Girders: Built-up for 550-ton capacity
- Roof Purlins: Z or C sections, 8 ft spacing
- Sidewall Girts: Z or C sections
- Eave Struts: Diaphragm collectors
- Bracing: Lateral stability, minimum two bays at each end
project/
├── config/
│ ├── design_basis.yaml
│ ├── geometry.yaml
│ └── crane_parameters.yaml
├── src/
│ ├── loads/
│ │ ├── gravity.py
│ │ ├── wind_asce7.py
│ │ ├── crane_loads.py
│ │ └── combinations.py
│ ├── analysis/
│ │ └── frame_model.py
│ ├── design/
│ │ ├── primary_members.py
│ │ └── secondary_members.py
│ └── output/
│ ├── reports.py
│ └── schematics.py
└── requirements.txt
- PyNiteFEA: Frame analysis
- steelpy: AISC properties and capacity
- PyYAML: Configuration management
- matplotlib: Visualization
- numpy/pandas: Calculations
crane_system:
capacity: 550 # tons per crane
bridge_weight: 140 # tons
trolley_weight: 45 # tons
span: 30 # feet
wheels_per_end: 2
load_factors:
vertical_impact: 1.25
lateral_factor: 0.20
longitudinal_factor: 0.10- Portal frame elevation with member sizes
- Building plan with crane runways
- Crane runway details
- Member schedule with unity checks
- Serviceability summary
- Foundation reactions
- Steel tonnage estimates
- 160 ft portal span with shallow slope generates significant base moments
- Built-up rafters with variable depth and haunches expected
- Heavy columns required for moment resistance
- Crane integration decision: integrated vs. decoupled system
- 30% design accuracy (preliminary sizing only)
- Standard sections baseline (built-up requires separate analysis)
- 2D portal frame analysis
- Crane loads subject to vendor data update