Structural Engineering Software
Structural Engineering Software
(OP)
Does anyone have any recommendations for engineering software.
I need to do simple moment frame and braced frame calculations using mostly wood and steel.
The customer support for the company I've been using is driving me crazy.
Reener.
I need to do simple moment frame and braced frame calculations using mostly wood and steel.
The customer support for the company I've been using is driving me crazy.
Reener.






RE: Structural Engineering Software
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: Structural Engineering Software
RE: Structural Engineering Software
RE: Structural Engineering Software
They are coming up with a new program called FramingWorx that will automatically design your beams, posts, balloon frame walls, and will work hand-in-hand with LateralWorx. For example, any dead loads generated by FramingWorx will be used directly to resist uplift on shear walls.
They have a special offer for the month of September. Google "LateralWorx" for their website, which has a flash demo you can watch.
John
RE: Structural Engineering Software
Good luck.
www.anchorengineer.com
RE: Structural Engineering Software
I have been using VisualAnalysis for over a decade. V8.0 has integrated design for most structural materials based on current codes. They are a s small group of engineer-developers and very user-friendly folks. They have been doing a series of free webinars on Thursday to help folks get the most out of the software (some seminars require a bit of experience with the software). When I started in my prior position it was the most reasonably priced package out there. They have moved to a subscription-based purchase option similar to AutoCAD (if you choose to go that way). Geometry can easily be imported from a DXF file if you want (it's not bi-directional). I highly recommend checking it out.
Ralph
Structures Consulting
Northeast USA
RE: Structural Engineering Software
John Southard, M.S., P.E.
http://www.pdhlibrary.com
RE: Structural Engineering Software
RE: Structural Engineering Software
RE: Structural Engineering Software
you can find more information from the follwing websites:
http://str-engineer.com/?p=84
I like Risa and Sap2000
Regards
RE: Structural Engineering Software
Support continues to be very prompt and thorough. Both engineers there are not only PE's but PhD's.
http://www.structuralsoft.com/Soft/index.aspx
John
RE: Structural Engineering Software
RISA is almost unknown in Australia. We use Microstran or Spacegass
RE: Structural Engineering Software
I know that this is the first and formal program.it is easy and it has the "help" tool which is very easy to use.
RE: Structural Engineering Software
The way it basically works is, you import your CAD drawings into this program. After inputting the loads and building information, you then quickly outline the building's walls, define the openings, and the framing type and direction.
That's pretty much it. It will run an analysis, tell you where the beam sizes are too small and recalculate the ones you want. It runs the lateral analysis at the same time.
It generates an export-ready DWG drawing with all the framing, headers, posts, holddowns, and shear walls that you then overlay on your plans.
Highly recommended!
John
RE: Structural Engineering Software
The pdf tutorials are full of screen shots that really speed up the learning process. The technical support is fantastic! They offer webinars every Thursday and are more than willing to help with individual projects.
In short, there is not a better program out there today for wood buildings.
RE: Structural Engineering Software
While it does have a lot of user-friendly features, they are definitely still working out some of the kinks. I will say that once they do that, it will be very user-friendly. Providing a comprehensive user manual would be helpful.
The tutorials are nice, but don't explain all the features and options of the program.
Meh. I've found it really tough to get someone on the phone, which can be frustrating if you are in the early stages of learning the program and stuck on something. Plus, some issues are better dealt with verbally. Also, the email responses can be very slow. But, I am ultimately getting the answers.
I'd agree with this. Overall, I am pretty impressed with the program and its features. They are definitely still working out some of the kinks. And there are a lot more features they could add that would be helpful. But I understand they are still in the infant stages. I'd definitely recommend it for anyone who designs a significant number of wood structures.
RE: Structural Engineering Software
And I just learned StructuralSoft is not sitting back...they're now working on an amazing development to this program that is due sometime around the end of the year.
John
RE: Structural Engineering Software
Care to elaborate?
RE: Structural Engineering Software
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RE: Structural Engineering Software
Cost aside, LUSAS is my first choice, primarily because of their excellent PDF help files. I do wish it had a bit more customisability, with respect to keyboard shortcuts etc, however.