How Caldim Engineering Used SDS2 with Indian Standards for Airport Steel Detailing

Large infrastructure projects often demand both technical precision and rapid delivery. When Caldim Engineering took over the structural steel detailing for the Hanimaadhoo International Airport Cargo Building in the Maldives, the team had just 3 weeks to deliver a complete detailing package for fabrication. Despite the compressed schedule, the project required careful coordination, advanced detailing, and compliance with project-specific fabrication standards done by SDS2 with Indian Standards. 

Project Snapshot

Project Details	Information
Project	Hanimaadhoo International Airport Cargo Building
Location	Maldives
Customer	Caldim Engineering
Industry	Airport Infrastructure
Scope	Structural Steel Detailing Software – SDS2
Delivery Timeline	3 Weeks

Key Technical Highlights

Key Technical Highlights	Details
Structural System	Steel Roof Truss System
Primary Members	3 Long-Span Roof Trusses
Maximum Span	Approximately 37 m
Splice Configuration	Four Splice Locations per Truss
Roof Geometry	Curved Top Chord
Secondary Steelwork	Curved Roof Purlins and Knee Bracing
Connection Strategy	Manual Modeling of Custom Steel Connections
Fabrication Detailing	Tube and Plate Cut Layouts
Engineering Standards	Custom Steel Grades and Section Properties for Indian Fabrication
Major Constraint	Three-Week Fast-Track Delivery Schedule

Project Scope of Caldim Engineering  

Caldim Engineering was responsible for delivering the structural steel detailing package for the Hanimaadhoo International Airport Cargo Building.

The scope included detailing the primary roof trusses, secondary steel members, splice connections, fabrication drawings, and project-specific steel standards required for manufacturing. Caldim Engineering used SDS2 to develop the structural steel detailing package for the Hanimaadhoo International Airport Cargo Building in the Maldives.  Caldim Engineering delivers SDS2-designed steel to the Maldives airport.

Structural Steel Detailing Challenges

The project presented several engineering and detailing challenges that required close coordination throughout the detailing process. 

• Long-span roof trusses: Three roof trusses, each spanning approximately 37 meters, incorporated four splice locations to facilitate fabrication and transportation. 

• Curved roof framing: The curved top chord required every roof purlin and knee brace to follow the changing roof profile, resulting in numerous unique member sizes, orientations, and connection conditions. 

• Custom fabrication requirements: The project required extensive tube and plate cut layouts, while several non-standard steel connections had to be modeled manually to meet fabrication needs. 

• Standards configuration: Since the detailing software was configured for North American standards, custom steel grades, material properties, and HSS section libraries had to be created to satisfy Indian fabrication requirements. 

• Compressed schedule: All modeling, detailing, standards configuration, checking, and drawing production had to be completed within a three-week delivery period. 

The SDS2 Detailing Solution

How does SDS2 with Indian Standards support the Detailing Workflow?

The detailing team used SDS2 to develop the coordinated 3D structural steel model, manage the complex roof geometry, and detail the primary and secondary steelwork. SDS2 also supported the manual modeling of custom steel connections and the production of fabrication-ready drawings and tube and plate cut layouts. Project-specific steel grades, material properties, and section libraries were configured to meet the required fabrication standards.

After taking over the project, the detailing team transitioned the available project information into a coordinated SDS2 model before completing the remaining steel detailing. 

The team developed the roof trusses, secondary steel members, splice connections, and manually modeled special connection details while generating fabrication-ready tube and plate cut layouts. Custom steel grades and section libraries were configured to meet project requirements, enabling the detailing model to align with the fabricator’s production standards. Continuous internal coordination and model verification helped maintain constructability throughout the accelerated delivery schedule. 

Project  Outcome 

The project was completed within the planned three-week schedule, allowing the detailing package to be delivered without affecting downstream fabrication activities. 

The completed detailing package: 

• Delivered a fabrication-ready structural steel model and drawings within the project deadline. 
• Supported the fabrication and erection of the airport cargo building, which was completed before the end of 2023. 
• Successfully detailed long-span roof trusses, curved roof framing, splice locations, and manually modeled steel connections. 
• Met project-specific fabrication requirements through custom steel grades, material properties, and section libraries. 
• Demonstrated Caldim Engineering’s capability to execute technically demanding structural steel detailing projects under compressed delivery schedules. 

Looking to Deliver Complex Steel Detailing Projects More Efficiently?  

Projects like the Hanimaadhoo International Airport Cargo Building demonstrate how the right detailing workflow and software can help engineering teams manage complex geometry, meet fabrication requirements, and deliver under demanding schedules. 

As the Authorized SDS2 Reseller and Support Partner in India, Nhance Digital Solutions provides SDS2 software licensing, implementation, technical training, and dedicated technical support to help structural steel detailing teams work more efficiently and with greater confidence. 

Talk to our experts today to schedule a personalized SDS2 demonstration and discover how SDS2 can improve the accuracy, speed, and coordination of your next project. 

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