CIS/2, IFC, VRML, and X3D Product Data Standards Research for Structural Steel

The CIMSteel Integration Standards (CIS/2) is the product model and electronic data exchange file format for structural steel project information. CIS/2 is intended to create a seamless and integrated flow of information among all parties of the steel supply chain involved in the construction of steel framed structures. It has been adopted by the American Institute of Steel Construction as their format for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). CIMsteel stands for the Computer Integrated Manufacturing of Constructional Steelwork. The technical basis for CIS/2 is STEP (ISO 10301).

CIS/2 has been implemented as a file import or export capability by many steel design, analysis, engineering, fabrication, and construction software packages. A CIS/2 file exported by an analysis or design program could be imported into a detailing program to detail the connections.
CIS/2 itself is not a software package that you buy. The user will see it as file format, just like DXF is a file format, that is imported or exported in a steel related software package. However, some software vendors charge for their CIS/2 import or export feature.

The CIS/2 standard covers everything from nuts and bolts to materials and loads to frames and assemblies. Structures can be represented as analysis, design, or manufacturing (detailed) models. There is a logical relationship between the different types of models. For example, a beam in an analysis model that has to be subdivided for analysis is logically only one beam in the detailed model.

NIST served on the AISC's EDI Review Team that chose CIS/2 as the standard for electronic data interchange. NIST is currently helping software vendors implement the standard; helping steel designers, detailers, and fabricators use the standard; and is part of the CIS/2 International Technical Committee which oversees the standard and is working towards future releases of CIS/2.

This work is funded at NIST through the BFRL project Product Data Standards for Steel Construction as part of the CONSIAT program.