Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
(OP)
I would appreciate if anyone who currently uses any type of structural analysis software could provide some reviews and/or suggestions for a reliable software package that I can pitch to my company.
We are a multi-disciplinary engineering firm (50 employees) and our structural needs range from the design of small buildings and frames to large storage tanks and pipelines. Any software package has to be versatile enough to handle a large variety of designs and include all the major building materials (wood, concrete, and steel).
We currently use a very dated version of RAM Advanse but given the pace that technology has progressed, I would like to explore options for whatelse might be out there.
I have heard of the Risa software and some of the other big names but would like to hear from people who use the software before looking into it too far.
Thank you.
We are a multi-disciplinary engineering firm (50 employees) and our structural needs range from the design of small buildings and frames to large storage tanks and pipelines. Any software package has to be versatile enough to handle a large variety of designs and include all the major building materials (wood, concrete, and steel).
We currently use a very dated version of RAM Advanse but given the pace that technology has progressed, I would like to explore options for whatelse might be out there.
I have heard of the Risa software and some of the other big names but would like to hear from people who use the software before looking into it too far.
Thank you.






RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
I vote STAAD
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
http://www.FerrellEngineering.com
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
DaveAtkins
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
STAAD 1
RISA 4
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
SAP can be good for complex larger models, but it sometimes it is too smart for its own good so I tend to stay away if I can avoid it.
Never used STAAD
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
We are Virginia Tech
Go HOKIES
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
Do you find the STAAD to be of a higher caliber than Risa3D? For instance, is the Risa software too arcade like or just as good of a calculation tool?
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
RAM SS is great for relatively simple buildings with a lot of repetition. It does have its limitations, though.
Risa is simple to use and can carry out a rigorous 2nd order analysis (required for Appendix A of AISC). It also permits you to set up detailing templates for concrete members. Haven't doen wood design in RISA, though..
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
My suggestion is that you download a trial version of the software. SAP 2000 v. 14, RISA, have trial versions for free download. They also have excellant tutorials to learn the software. Unfortunately Staad does not have a free download.
http://www.csiberkeley.com/support_downloads.html
http://www.risatech.com/forms/demo_request.html
If you need to do FEA and seismic I would recomment SAP2000.
DHK
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
Agree that tech support at RISA is excellent.
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
I think STAAD fails in all aspects (user interface, available elements, solver, meshing, speed, stability, help,etc...) - I would recommend to avoid at any cost. SAP is better, good solver, but very poor UI, meshing capabilities and reporting. Autodesk bought Robot, looks ok however no proper documentation - very frustrating. Haven't tried RAM or RISA.
Honestly, I am envy at our colleagues in auto or aerospace industry who can utilize general purpose FE like Abaqus or Nastran.
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
Abusement: I haven't personally used it but RISA has a floor module you can use for multistory applications, automatic load generation etc. Works hand in hand with RISA 3D. I have a couple colleagues who use the program and have heard no complaints.
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
Our offices make use of a variety of general purpose FEA programs, such as SAP2000, GT-STRUDL, STAAD, MIDAS, and many more specific use software programs. Overall, we find that more and more staff migrate to SAP. My own preference is GT-STRUDL.
Regards,
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RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
Of the various structural analysis / design programs that people have advocated, is anyone using them in conjunction with a high-end 3D plant design system (such as Intergraph SmartPlant 3D) for mechanical / process driven design, such as oil & gas plants, mining projects, etc?
How do you go about keeping the engineering analysis / design model "synchronised" with the 3D plant model, as the plant layout "evolves"? Do you import / export via a neutral file format such as DXF (shudder!), CIM-Steel, SDNF, etc, or do any of them support "live" interaction with the multi-discipline plant-wide 3D model and database?
How does the process support multiple iterations of "round trips" for design iteration. (Most of the packages I have seen are sort of OK for member size changes as long as the frame "topology" doesn't change, but how does it cope when the mechanical engineers make significant geometry changes to the structure to accommodate design changes for their plant and equipment?)
Any comments welcome - I fear I may have stirred up a hornet's nest here!
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
Besides, when would most structural engineers use 99% of the features that Abaqus has, but RISA doesn't? Almost never, and the higher end programs require much, much longer learning curves in my experience. A halfway experience guy can be up and running with RISA or SAP2000 in just a few hours.
To the OP: Probably RISA-3D. SAP2000 if you think you'll want to do much beyond simple small displacement second-order analyses.
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
On a somewhat related note, I tried to learn Ansys a few months ago and started going through the tutorials. After 3 hours, I still couldn't get a basic beam in there with a point load on it. Then I got distracted and did something else, LOL.
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
Most of the stuff I do is 'meatball'... the cost savings is in the ease of connection or fabrication. If I spend an additional half-hour to analyse a connection to save a pound... unless I have a 'kazillion' of them, there is no advantage.
Dik
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
Agree with Ron on the older STAAD versions - very buggy. Haven't used it recently so it may be much better today.
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
Is there a software package which can accept 3D co-ordinates, 3D loads and come up with a complete and accurate analysis of the structure, including unsupported length (buckling length) of individual members? I do not believe that there is. If I am wrong, please let me know.
BA
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
If you do a linear analysis you need to do your own assessment of buckling loads, which you can either do with a separate buckling mode analysis, or include geometric non-linearity effects in the analysis.
If you do a complete non-linear analysis, including allowance for material and geometric non-linearity, and with proper conservative material stiffness values, there is no reason why any 3D analysis package should not come up with the right answers, providing the package allows sufficient control so you know what it is doing. Whether that is the best way to do it is another matter.
Doug Jenkins
Interactive Design Services
http://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
BA
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
Also you would need to do separate analyses for serviceability and ultimate checks, and maybe another one for collapse as well, so the question is, is it worth the effort?
Re-reading the question, if you were asking if there is a package where you can just plug in the geometry and the loads, and let the software set materials properties etc, and rely on the design that is spat out at the end, then I'd agree the answer is no (as far as I know).
Doug Jenkins
Interactive Design Services
http://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
If you're interested in the link between a structural analysis package and Revit, then I would suggest starting another thread about that specific topic.... or, looking for a forum dedicated to Revit or BIM.
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
Have you worked through the "benchmark" problems in the commentary of Appendix 7 using RISA? Please see page 16.1-435. According to the information on RISA's web site, many additional joints must be added between the member ends to adequately model the P-Delta (big and little) effects. However, when the compressive load is small compared to the Euler buckling load, the number of additional loads is required is minimal.
How have you handled this in your designs?
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
Have you tried to work through those Benchmark problems in any other program (STAAD, RAM, SAP). Last time I checked, they ALL require that you add intermediate joints to the member in order to fully match the "theoretically correct" equations.
Now, the RISA documentation makes it pretty clear exactly what you have to do in order to capture this P-little delta effect. Not sure if the other guys address the issue as thoroughly in their documentation. Maybe they do, maybe they don't.
Disclaimer: I am actually a RISA employee. I also sit in on most of the AISC task committee meetings for Chapter C and Appendix 7. So,
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
Hilarious...I might just use that arguement when pitching it to the powers-to-be in my company.
"If you don't buy RISA, I'll only be as good as an architect to you."
No offense to any architects here...
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
http://www.microstran.com/
http://www.spacegass.com/
These are 3-D structural analysis and design softwares. The analysis side includes plate elements as well (Space Gass). Design side is the screening the members in accordance with the design code requirements. If you buy complete softwares these will include all the design code listed in their catalogues. They have elastic buckling, vibration analysis (natural frequency and response spectra) modules in addition to the master slave contraint option, and they are very handy. You can see the other features by connecting to the links.
They are very user friendly, and you will pick up in a short time. I am a user of the last 15 years.
Hope this gives some idea about other softwares around the World.
Regards.
Ibrahim Demir
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
STAAD is a crappy DOS program with a clumsy graphical interface. I used it when I worked for Bechtel.
In Australia we generally use Microstran or Spacegass & both beat STAAD hands down.
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation
Before GTS, we used ANSYS for a brief time when we had a card reader to run on a timeshare service circa 1985. Before ANSYS we used STARDYNE from CDC in the 1970's and spent about $50,000 per month to analyze transmission towers and substation frame structures using a card reader and JCL (Job Control Language). "It must be right if it is printed on green and white" was a popular saying for those old enough to remember tractor feed line printer paper that we went through by the box. At this time an Engineer just out of college was making about $1000 per month.
When GTStrudl came out on a PC (we were using a MicroVAX with a dumb terminal to run GTS before that), some other users in the office were using STAAD to analyze power plant frames so I had a little exposure to STAAD, but overall I prefer GTStrudl.
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I have been called "A storehouse of worthless information" many times.
RE: Structural Analyis Software Recommendation