Concrete Software
Concrete Software
(OP)
What are the engineers using for concrete design software? I need both column, beam, and two way slab design software and intergration into one model. I am familiar with Ram Concrete and Ram Concept and I am happy with this combination but apparently it is not used much outside of the US, particularly in the UAE. I am leaning towards ETABS and SAFE but I would like to hear what the opinions are for this and other software.






RE: Concrete Software
I'm a relativley inexperienced engineer but I have found that simplifying the structure into 2D analysis helps engineer understand on how the structure behaves in terms of following through load paths...and the model is less likely to develop an instability thorugh incorrect modelling. However three dimensional analyses are important to obtain actions such as torsion in edge beams.
Are you presently working in the UAE.
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Modeling structure is good for very experienced engineers, it not good at all for juniour engineers, you reduce your thinking. And you become like a computer programmer and not a thinking engineer.
Regards
Practicing engineering is hard than studying it!!!
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I do use RAM Advanse for the analysis for beams (typically - obviously I wouldn't do this for a simple span beam, but for a retaining wall with a trapezoidal load I do), then just pull out the shears and moments and design by hand. I then also check deflection by hand (again if it isn't an unusual case).
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Yes, RAPT is approved for use in UAE. It is used by many consultants/PT companies there and also by companies in UK, Asia and Australia designing for UAE projects.
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I think the best approach to computers and structural engineering is to first understand the problems in paper, pencil, code and calculator an then compare your paper and pencil results, and the computer output.
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I think it goes without saying that we should be able to compute by hand before moving to a computer model - otherwise how can we have any idea what we are doing as far as imputting and using results? Of course there will be load situations that will be too tedious or difficult to do by hand so it's nice to be able to use FEM's or other.
As far as software goes, are you concerned about using RAM elsewhere because they are not used to seeing it or because it doesn't have the codes that you need? If you can design using a program that you are familiar with and that you trust, then that is the way to go.
I have been doing a lot of work in the middle east recently and we have used IBC 2006 for all of it so our software has been fine. I just recently reviewed some work by another engineer over there and found their computer printouts from ETABS to be pretty good. I don't know anything about using it though.
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I agree. If you can't prove what the software package is performing by hand, then you are a fake. That's why as a graduate, I spend a lot of time back-checking all computer outputs with manual calculations every time I use a design package until I am competent with that design package and know how to use it correctly. Software packages have the ability to drastically reduce the time spent on design but are only helpful if the engineer inputs the correct data.
RE: Concrete Software
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
RE: Concrete Software
There are seveal programs on the market each promising pretty much similar features. However in my opinion the bottom line is individual's comfort level and productivity with tools of choice. If you are comfortable, quick and accurate with certain programs then that's your niche. From my personal experience working in different continents where I have used different programs and attained comfort zones in each one of them.
Etabs and Safe can do the job, especially with Safe you have added value if floor system is irregular in shape or longer spans or situations where the traditional methods face limitations.
I have also used Robot Millenium for similiar situations and ofcourse variety of spreadsheet programs.
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Its quite good and easy to use.
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I am quite familiar with ETABS, SAP and SAFE so I have some suggestions for you:
1) SAP: Good at analyzing general reinforced structures such as tank, building, some other structures.
2) SAFE: Good at analyzing reinforced floor, plate foundation;
3) ETABS: Especially good at analyzing building;
Conclusion, I can say that the soft. used depends on the concrete structure you want to analysis
I hope you have some ideas from here.
I also have a question about SHEAR WALL, Pu>0.35Po!
Could you kindly please finding some answer for me?
Thank a lot,
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RE: Concrete Software