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Recommended sofware for wind loading/lateral force design

Recommended sofware for wind loading/lateral force design

Recommended sofware for wind loading/lateral force design

(OP)
I am starting my own consulting business and will be addressing civil and structural issues in the municipal, commercial and residential markets.  I am looking for suggestions on structural software and resources.  My degree is in structural design but I have been mostly practicing in water and wastewater systems for the last 12 years.  I would appreciate suggestions for resources and software that will help get me up to speed with current codes and methods.

RE: Recommended sofware for wind loading/lateral force design

Look at Engineering International - they many different "modes"

Search through these threads.  This has been asked countless times.

RE: Recommended sofware for wind loading/lateral force design

try looking over in "Structural Engineering, other engineering topics" - there's a thread on that right now, I believe.

RE: Recommended sofware for wind loading/lateral force design

Don't depend on the software to get you "up to speed" on codes.  Also, until you get familiar with whatever software you choose, I would not use its "design" features...just use the analysis and do your own "design" checking...that will get you familiar with the codes.

RE: Recommended sofware for wind loading/lateral force design

Are you looking just for "truss" engineering software??  Metal, wood, steel??

RE: Recommended sofware for wind loading/lateral force design

(OP)
Thanks , I will probably be doing more wood , masonry, light commercial and residential construction with some concrete and steel.  So, maybe some suggestions for a multi-purpose program.

RE: Recommended sofware for wind loading/lateral force design

dfe...if you just want an analytical program and you're willing to learn the codes, then RISA 3D is excellent.  It will provide design info, but again, I caution you about using software for your design until you learn the code requirements and you do a few designs "by hand".  Besides, most states require that you validate your software, which means that you have to do a couple of parallel hand/software designs to validate the software.

RE: Recommended sofware for wind loading/lateral force design

(OP)
thanks Ron, I am attempting to get familiar with the codes by hand calcs , but I am not finding a flow for the procedure, you know, calc forces with applicable factors and formulae and apply to members.  Can you recommend a reference or example guide for the process?

RE: Recommended sofware for wind loading/lateral force design

For loads try the ASCE website as they have some wind and seismic design guide books.  There are lots of online seminars, webinars, and conferences that cover those kinds of topics.

Same for design - I'd cruise around the steel and concrete, etc. organizations (ACI, AISC, etc.) for their publications.

If you are attempting to "get familiar" with structural design, working with an experienced engineer is best.

As Ron suggests above, relying on software is the worst possible road you can take.
 

RE: Recommended sofware for wind loading/lateral force design

....well, worst possible with the exception of sticking an ice pick in your ear.

RE: Recommended sofware for wind loading/lateral force design

(OP)
I am allergic to ice picks, so I will avoid that road.  Like I said earlier I am working through by hand, but I am not feeling organized.  I used to have a flow or a pattern down and now that is missing for me.  I am not following the flow between IBC ch.16, etc and ASCE 7, i.e. where to find each load factor and equation.  I have not found a sample solution that nails down the flow of refwerences to factors, equations and  tables..   

RE: Recommended sofware for wind loading/lateral force design

dfe...there is no flow between Chap. 16 and ASCE 7.  It's just one or the other.

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