Enercalc Wind Calc Module ASCE 7-10 - PROBLEMS
Enercalc Wind Calc Module ASCE 7-10 - PROBLEMS
(OP)
Has anyone tried to use enercalc's ASCE 7-10 wind calculation module? Yikes. The default pressure coefficients all totally wrong. When you correct them, You get a reasonable wind load. The problem is that when you hit save or print, it automatically resets to the default values that are wrong. There is literally no way to save or print your results.
I have had an exchange with their Director of Development (Chris Conrad, PE), and the best he can do is say they do not guarantee a flawless product. It took him four emails to acknowledge that there was a problem. What bothers me most about this is that with these major problems, it is obviously that the module was never tested on a real problem by a real PE. You would think that there new yearly $350/seat/year maintenance fee ought to cover a little product testing.
How often do you or your employees actually verify structural software results with real calcs? I guess there is no substitute for making your own spreadsheets or hand calcs.
I have had an exchange with their Director of Development (Chris Conrad, PE), and the best he can do is say they do not guarantee a flawless product. It took him four emails to acknowledge that there was a problem. What bothers me most about this is that with these major problems, it is obviously that the module was never tested on a real problem by a real PE. You would think that there new yearly $350/seat/year maintenance fee ought to cover a little product testing.
How often do you or your employees actually verify structural software results with real calcs? I guess there is no substitute for making your own spreadsheets or hand calcs.
_________________________
Tony Krempin, PE
TopKnot Engineering






RE: Enercalc Wind Calc Module ASCE 7-10 - PROBLEMS
RE: Enercalc Wind Calc Module ASCE 7-10 - PROBLEMS
RE: Enercalc Wind Calc Module ASCE 7-10 - PROBLEMS
Every software has the same "use at your own risk" disclaimer, but I've never found issues as frequently or as seriously as I have with Enercalc.
I still use it, but just for quick checks on work I do by hand/elsewhere.
RE: Enercalc Wind Calc Module ASCE 7-10 - PROBLEMS
I understand that you are frustrated with a calculation that doesn't seem to be working the way it is expected to. But please understand that we are on the same team here. Please take my text below as a conversational and informative response, and not a defensive retort. I am taking my time to write some thoughts out for you, because we value you as a user, and we want that to come through in our product and in our communications.
A thorough QA/QC process does not guarantee a flawless product over its useful life of edits and enhancements. It is a benchmark to try to ensure that the product is in significant compliance with the software design specification, and that it is performing as expected. In work that is as complex as the wind forces module, there are bound to be some minor issues that are going to crop up when the module is used in a production environment. (I consider default values and saving to be relatively minor, as compared to a calculation error of some sort.) That is normal and expected. We strive for excellence, but not perfection, because the pursuit of perfection is futile.
This module is excellent, because it takes an incredible number of variables into consideration and simplifies them into useful information for a designer. At this point, we welcome user observations like yours, and we address them to further improve the module where necessary.
When you came to us with an observation about default values and saving, I promptly investigated, confirmed with you, and submitted case WIND-5 to the developers. My role and my actions are based on fact, engineering principles, and business ethic...not on a perceived need to "defend EC programming" as you assert. This company and this product have a thirty year track record that stands for itself, and doesn't need little old me to defend it.
So looking forward, if you observe any unexpected behavior in this or any module in Structural Engineering Library, please let us know. You can expect the same prompt response from me that I delivered on WIND-5. And as a further suggestion, what really helps us is if you can include a Project File and a list of very specific steps to take to observe the effect you are trying to describe.
Thanks Tony.
Cheers,
Chris
RE: Enercalc Wind Calc Module ASCE 7-10 - PROBLEMS
_________________________
Tony Krempin, PE
TopKnot Engineering
RE: Enercalc Wind Calc Module ASCE 7-10 - PROBLEMS
I used to like Enercalc, but it's getting to the point where it's unusable. I don't know if you tried to cram too much into the program, but as soon as you get a few calculations in, it takes way too long to do anything, and there are the inaccuracies brought up earlier. I used to use Enercalc for all minor calculations, but I'm using it less and less now- it's just not worth the hassle.
And, all due respect, I think you've got it wrong. You should achieve excellence in pursuit of perfection. Nobody expects you to achieve perfection, but you should certainly attempt to get there. Your statement to the contrary seems cavalier.
RE: Enercalc Wind Calc Module ASCE 7-10 - PROBLEMS
I find it better to take the time to develop your own spreadsheet. Thatway you know whats in it, and whats right.
RE: Enercalc Wind Calc Module ASCE 7-10 - PROBLEMS
If you are a licensed ENERCALC user, I would encourage you to contact us directly at support(at)enercalc(dot)com. We will be glad to assist with your concerns through the normal support process.
Cheers,
Chris
Chris Conrad, P.E.
Director of Development
ENERCALC, Inc.
Web: www.enercalc.com
RE: Enercalc Wind Calc Module ASCE 7-10 - PROBLEMS
Ironically, a few months later, a former collegue of mine called and asked if I could figure out why his stormwater calc numbers were off - he was using the same f'n emulator.
RE: Enercalc Wind Calc Module ASCE 7-10 - PROBLEMS
Cheers,
Chris
Chris Conrad, P.E.
Director of Development
ENERCALC, Inc.
Web: www.enercalc.com
RE: Enercalc Wind Calc Module ASCE 7-10 - PROBLEMS
In respect to default values being wrong as a "minor" issue I would think this is top level QC when checking software prior to release. It is a lot harder to detect some internal calculation error for some very atypical condition than it is to see that the default screen is wrong.