ProtaStructure Suite 2027: A New Era of Structural BIM Innovation

We’re thrilled to announce ProtaStructure Suite 2027! Specifically, this release marks a major leap forward in structural BIM software. From brand-new cold-formed steel design to a 4x faster analysis engine, every discipline gets meaningful upgrades. Furthermore, this version expands international code coverage and refines productivity across modeling, detailing, and reporting.

In this post, we’ll walk through the highlights of ProtaStructure 2027. Above all, we’ll explain how each new feature helps structural engineers work faster, smarter, and more accurately. Therefore, whether you design high-rises, industrial buildings, or residential projects, there’s something powerful waiting for you.

Why ProtaStructure Suite 2027 Matters

At Prota Software, we’ve developed leading structural BIM software for over 40 years. Specifically, our product strategy focuses on five priorities: practical modeling approaches, innovative design technologies, improving existing functionalities, deeper localization, and adding real value to your daily engineering practice.

ProtaStructure Suite 2027 reflects all five priorities at once. Moreover, this brand-new release raises the bar for the entire structural BIM software category. As a result, you’ll find both major capabilities and dozens of small refinements that compound into a much smoother workflow.

Cold-Formed Steel Design: A Major New Capability

For the first time, ProtaStructure 2027 introduces comprehensive cold-formed steel design software features directly within the platform. Specifically, engineers can now model, analyze, and design cold-formed members without leaving the integrated environment.

The new cold-formed structural design module supports three code families:

• AISI S100-16/20 — the AISC cold-formed specification (LRFD and ASD safety formats)
• Eurocode EN 1993-1-3
• Turkish CYTHYE / TSC2016

Furthermore, our CFS design software covers tension, compression, bending (major and minor axes), shear, combined actions, and serviceability deflection. In addition, supported sections include open profiles (C/channel, Z, hat) and closed profiles (RHS, SHS, circular pipe).

Notably, member capacity is determined by the Direct Strength Method (DSM). As a result, engineers can compute strengths directly from elastic buckling loads of the gross cross-section — no iterative plate-width reduction needed.

A More Centralized Report System

Reporting has been rebuilt from the ground up in ProtaStructure 2027 Suite. Above all, the new system provides a more integrated and intelligent submission workflow. Specifically, a single “Report Submission Set” sits centrally, and reports can be added from the “Report Repository” with drag-and-drop ordering.

Moreover, you can now generate all reports in your project from one centralized menu. Therefore, you no longer need to navigate through individual design menus. Furthermore, the system automatically examines your project for structure type, material, and components, then recommends necessary missing reports.

Other improvements include:

• A presentable Cover Page for submission sets
• A new Model Information and Layout Report with 3D and plan views
• Company logo, date/time, and QR code support for authenticity
• A single-glance view of errors, warnings, and information items across all reports

Spiral Staircase Modelling and Design

ProtaStructure version 2027 finally delivers a long-requested capability: spiral staircase modelling and structural design. Specifically, spiral staircases supported from the inner edge and/or flight ends are now fully supported. As a result, engineers can model, analyze, and design spiral staircases within the same integrated environment as the rest of the structure.

ETABS Import and Export: Bidirectional BIM Interoperability

ProtaStructure 2027 introduces a robust ETABS import capability alongside a completely rebuilt ETABS exportmodule. Furthermore, this two-way ETABS BIM workflow eliminates manual remodeling between platforms.

Smarter ETABS Import

The new ETABS import and export capabilities preserve geometry, materials, sections, loads, and boundary conditions with high fidelity. Specifically, you’ll benefit from:

• Automatic unit conversion (imperial or metric)
• Intelligent grid mapping for orthogonal and skewed grids
• Cumulative story elevation management
• Automatic distinction between concrete and steel materials
• Full parametric support for rectangular, circular, pipe, L, T, U, and I/HE shapes
• Automatic load case categorization (DEAD → G, LIVE → Q)

Renewed ETABS Export

The ETABS export module has been completely rebuilt from scratch. Therefore, our ProtaStructure ETABS integration now generates a high-fidelity e2k file that preserves every structural detail. Moreover, full support covers ETABS versions v13 through v23.

Capabilities include flexible unit conversion, full story/grid hierarchy, cracked section modifiers per ACI 318-19, automatic rigid diaphragm assignment, response spectrum function export, and intelligent 3D geometry resolution.

Automatic Shearwall Checks per ACI 318-19

ProtaStructure Suite 2027 automates the determination of Special Boundary Element (SBE) requirements for structural walls per ACI 318-19. As a result, our ACI 318-19 shearwall design module eliminates manual calculations entirely.

Displacement-Based Approach

A special boundary element is required when c > lw / (600 × du/hw), where c is the largest neutral axis depth, lw the wall length, du the design displacement, and hw the wall height. Notably, the ratio du/hw is not taken less than 0.005.

Stress-Based Approach

Special boundary elements are also required where the maximum extreme fiber compressive stress exceeds 0.2 f’c, calculated using a linear elastic model based on gross section properties. Furthermore, both approaches are evaluated simultaneously, and results appear directly in the RC Shearwall Design reports.

Expanded International Code Coverage

ProtaStructure 2027 brings several major code updates and additions:

• Indian Seismic Code IS 1893-2025 — engineers working on Indian projects automatically benefit from the latest seismic hazard maps and design provisions.
• RC Beam and Column Design to Thailand Code (DPT 1302-61) — fully integrated DPT clauses over ACI 318, enabling code-compliant design for Thai projects.
• Target Displacement Calculation for NSR (Colombia) — Colombian engineers can now perform code-compliant pushover analysis directly within ProtaStructure.

Therefore, localization continues to be a core priority of our product strategy.

Wide Beam Link Arrangement: Up to Seven Links

Engineers working with wide beams now have far more flexibility. Specifically, ProtaStructure 2027 supports up to seven links for wide beam design. Moreover, engineers set the minimum width limits, and the algorithm follows them incrementally, automatically selecting the appropriate number of links.

In addition, a new link pattern for wide beam layout provides extra flexibility in meeting detailing requirements.

Stability Checks in Footings

Overturning and sliding stability checks have been implemented for pad footing design. Furthermore, Factor of Safety limits are automatically determined based on the selected design code and load combination type. As a result, support covers TBDY 2018/TS500, ACI 318, NBCI 2016/IS 1904, and Eurocode/BS.

Major Performance Improvements in ProtaStructure Suite 2027

Performance has been a central focus of this release. Specifically, two engines received complete overhauls.

4x Faster Structural Analysis Engine

The structural analysis engine has been comprehensively re-engineered. As a result, it now delivers a 4x speed improvement across all model sizes. Therefore, engineers working on large, complex multi-storey structures will experience dramatically shorter run times. Moreover, this analysis engine performance leap enables faster design iteration and more productive workflows.

10x Faster Report Engine

ProtaStructure 2027 also migrates to a PDF-based report generation engine. Consequently, reports are now generated up to 10x faster. Furthermore, the new engine provides visually more appealing reports and higher-quality print previews. As a result, large design reports with intensive content render in seconds.

Modeling and Productivity Improvements

The structural engineering BIM software now includes dozens of productivity refinements. For example:

• Member Grouping for Selection — create named selection groups with Ctrl+G shortcut; members can belong to multiple groups simultaneously
• Wind Columns — designate steel columns as wind columns to exclude seismic forces from their design
• Staircase Modelling Enhancements — staircase loads can now be copied between staircases
• Move and Copy Drawing Entities — replicate drawing elements without redrawing
• Enhanced Match Properties — now covers rib slabs, space trusses, domes, loads, del-z values, materials, splices, and alignment properties

Additionally, smaller refinements include search in the Analysis Results Report, a modeless Steel Bar Optimization window, simultaneous editing of multiple composite slabs, and a reorganized Foundation Design Settings menu.

RC Detailing Improvements

RC detailing receives several targeted upgrades in ProtaStructure 2027 Suite. Specifically:

• Shearwall Detailing Enhancements — per-spacing labeling, separate containment settings for basement walls, and merged elevation drawings
• Grouping Similar Column Details — similar columns and walls within a storey can be represented together in a single elevation detail
• Draw Cranks in Lap Zones — automatic crank geometry in column elevation drawings, especially useful in Europe and India
• Confinement Along Beam and Column Splices — automatic detailing per applicable code requirements for US Code and South American projects
• Formwork Scaffold Quantity Take-Off — a dedicated take-off command for formwork scaffolds in ProtaDetails

Report Improvements

Beyond the new report engine itself, several specific reports have been enhanced:

• RC Slab Detailed Design Report — strip profile images with deflection/shear/moment values, plus detailed bending and deflection check calculations
• Truss Sketch in Truss Design Reports — truss diagrams now appear directly in the reports
• New Excel Export Options — Analysis Results, Base Reactions, Column/Wall Design Forces, Beam and Column Rebar Tables, and Quantity Tables all export to Excel
• Quantity Take-Off Reports — Concrete and Formwork reports can now be filtered by storey
• Improved Post-Analysis Report — clearer behavior factor and eccentricity calculations for South American seismic code projects

ProtaSteel 2027: Drawing and Modelling Upgrades

The ProtaStructure Suite 2027 also brings major upgrades to ProtaSteel. Notably:

• Granular View and Section Overrides in assembly drawings
• Persistent Manual Detailing — manual additions to automatic drawings remain intact when models update
• Multi-Leg Welding Symbols for complex fabrication requirements
• Drawing Module UNDO System — full contextual Undo/Redo with deletion backup
• Expanded Parametric Section Library — Unsymmetrical I Sections, Unsymmetrical Concrete I Sections, Sigma Sections, and Stiffened Z Sections
• Optimized IdeaStatica Load Integration for higher-fidelity connection design

Resources to Explore ProtaStructure Suite 2027

Are you ready to explore everything ProtaStructure 2027 offers? Either way, we’ve built a rich ecosystem of resources to support your transition:

• Hands-on video demonstrations of the new features. Specifically, you can find them on our YouTube channel.
• Tutorials, FAQs, and product documentation. Furthermore, all of these are organized for easy access at the Prota Help Center.
• Meet the experts. Notably, our technical specialists are ready to answer your questions about any feature in this release.
• Follow us on social media. As a result, you’ll get announcements, training webinars, release notes, and event updates.

To follow upcoming launches and training sessions, keep an eye on our News section on the Prota Software website.

Real-World Applications: See ProtaStructure 2027 in Action

The best way to understand a design tool is to see real projects. In other words, look at what engineers actually build with it. Therefore, we invite you to explore the following:

• First, browse projects in our Project Gallery. It showcases real structures designed using ProtaStructure across different markets.
• Next, read customer success stories from firms worldwide. Notably, these firms have transformed their design workflows.

These resources can inspire your team. Above all, they show practical ways to apply ProtaStructure Suite 2027 to your daily structural engineering work.

Wrapping Up: Engineering the Future Together

ProtaStructure Suite 2027 represents one of our most significant releases ever. Specifically, it combines a brand-new cold-formed steel design module, a 4x faster analysis engine, a fully modernized reporting infrastructure, expanded international code coverage, and dozens of productivity refinements.

Above all, every feature in ProtaStructure 2027 was shaped by feedback from engineers like you. Moreover, our team remains committed to user-friendly, industry-leading technology for building design and documentation.

Therefore, we invite you to explore the new release today. For example, visit our YouTube channel, Help Center, Project Gallery, and success stories.

Finally, thank you for choosing the ProtaStructure Suite product family — we’re excited to engineer the future together!

We would love to have you at our live webinar introducing ProtaStructure Suite 2027.

You can reserve your seat by clicking the link.

We are looking forward to seeing you there.