ROBOT Autodesk

Total time: 6-8 weeks at 3 hours/day.

Core philosophy: Master the workflow: model, load, analyze, design, verify.

Phase 1: Foundation & Interface (Weeks 1-2)

Day	20% Feature	Why It Matters	Hands-On Task
Day 1	Interface Orientation	Right mode for the right action.	Identify Structure, Load, Analysis, Results modes.
Day 2	Job Preferences	Design code affects everything.	Set EC3/EC2, units kN/m.
Day 3	Grids & Stories	Fast vertical repetition.	3x3 grid, 5 stories at 3.5m.
Day 4	Materials	Correct properties drive results.	Create C30/37, S355.
Day 5	Section Definitions	Realistic member sizes.	IPE300, HE200B, 300x300 column.
Day 6	Simple 2D Frame	Base modeling skills.	2-bay, 3-story frame with supports.
Day 7	Project: 2D Portal Frame	Complete model ready for analysis.	Model steel portal and save template.

Phase 2: Loading & Combinations (Weeks 3-4)

Day	20% Feature	Why It Matters	Hands-On Task
Day 8	Load Types	DL, LL, WL, SL behave differently.	Define dead, live, wind loads.
Day 9	Loads on Bars	Distributed and point loads.	Apply 20 kN/m and point loads.
Day 10	Loads on Surfaces	Slabs/walls distribute to supports.	Create slab, apply 5 kN/m2.
Day 11	Load Combinations (Manual)	Understand 1.35G + 1.5Q.	Create ULS and SLS combos.
Day 12	Automatic Combinations	Code-based generation.	Generate and verify combos.
Day 13	Moving Loads	Bridge/crane behavior.	Define moving load, run influence.
Day 14	Project: Loaded Frame	Full load case setup.	Apply all loads and verify combos.

Phase 3: Analysis & Results (Weeks 5-6)

Day	20% Feature	Why It Matters	Hands-On Task
Day 15	Running Analysis	Foundation checks.	Run linear static, resolve warnings.
Day 16	Deformations	Serviceability control.	Check deflection vs span/250.
Day 17	Moments & Shear	Critical design forces.	Inspect M and V diagrams.
Day 18	Reactions	Foundation design inputs.	Review support reactions.
Day 19	Results on Sections	Concrete design forces.	Extract forces at 10 points.
Day 20	Envelopes	Worst-case values.	Generate envelopes and identify peaks.
Day 21	Project: Analysis Report	Document results.	Create PDF report with plots.

Phase 4: Design & Code-Checking (Weeks 7-8)

Day	20% Feature	Why It Matters	Hands-On Task
Day 22	Steel Design Parameters	Buckling and restraints.	Set ky, kz, restraints.
Day 23	Run Steel Design	Check unity ratios.	Run design and review utilization.
Day 24	Optimization	Right-size members.	Resize under/over-utilized sections.
Day 25	Concrete Beams	Flexure/shear design.	Design beam and review As.
Day 26	Concrete Columns	Interaction checks.	Review N-M interaction ratio.
Day 27	Reinforcement Detailing	Code minimums.	Verify spacing and anchorage.
Day 28	RC Slab Design	Two-way reinforcement.	Design slab and review rebar maps.

Phase 5: Advanced & Integration (Weeks 9-10)

Day	20% Feature	Why It Matters	Hands-On Task
Day 29	Modal Analysis	Dynamic behavior.	Run modal analysis, review modes.
Day 30	Response Spectrum	Seismic loading.	Run response spectrum, review base shear.
Day 31	P-Delta Analysis	Second-order effects.	Compare with/without P-Delta.
Day 32	Import from AutoCAD	CAD to analysis.	Import DXF frame.
Day 33	Export to Revit/Excel	Reporting and coordination.	Export forces to Excel.
Day 34	Parametric Models	Fast iterations.	Change story height variable.
Day 35	Project: 3D Steel Building	Full steel workflow.	Model, load, analyze, design.
Day 36	Project: Concrete Building	Full concrete workflow.	Model, design beams/columns/slabs.

Skill	Mastered?	Notes
Job Preferences & Code Setup	☐
Grids & Stories	☐
Materials & Sections	☐
Load Definition (DL, LL, WL)	☐
Load Combinations (manual + auto)	☐
Linear Static Analysis	☐
Results Interpretation (M, V, D, R)	☐
Steel Design & Unity Checks	☐
Concrete Beam Design	☐
Concrete Column Design	☐
Modal Analysis	☐
Response Spectrum (seismic)	☐
Import/Export (DXF, Excel)	☐
Report Generation	☐

Aspect	ROBOT	SAP2000
Primary Market	Europe, International	Americas, Asia, Global
Code Coverage	Eurocodes	ACI, AISC, also Eurocodes
Learning Curve	Modal interface	Single window
Concrete Design	Detailed rebar output	Strong, less visual
Steel Design	Optimization	Interactive optimization
Auto Combinations	Yes	Yes
API/Programming	Limited	Excellent OAPI
Import from CAD	Good (DXF)	Excellent (DXF, DWG)
Price	Generally lower	Generally higher
Typical Use	Buildings, bridges	Complex structures

Month	Focus
Month 1	Word, PowerPoint, Canva
Month 2	Excel
Month 3	AutoCAD
Month 4	ROBOT (Phases 1-2)
Month 5	ROBOT (Phases 3-4) + SAP2000 (Phases 1-2)
Month 6	SAP2000 (Phases 3-5)
Month 7	Capstone: Design in both, compare results

Remember: "The future belongs to those who learn more skills and combine them in creative ways."

Benjamin Franklin said, "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest."

Robert Greene noted, "The future belongs to those who learn more skills and combine them in creative ways."