A free, rigorous cross-section analysis tool for engineers
A free, rigorous cross-section analysis tool for engineers
2
handofthelion (Structural)
(OP)
Hi all,
I'd like to share with you a free python program that analyses an arbitrary cross-section using the finite element method:
GitHub Page
More Info
It outputs properties that can be used in structural design, such as the second moment of area, elastic and plastic section moduli, torsion constant, warping constant, shear centre, shear areas and many more. The program also calculates normal and shear stresses resulting from an acting axial force, bending moments, torsion moment and/or transverse shear forces.
I made this because I couldn't find anything out there that was free, gave me everything I wanted, could analyse any section imaginable, or was super easy to use, so I hope I've fulfilled all the above.
Always happy to receive feedback, positive or negative, but I hope it's useful for at least one other person
I'd like to share with you a free python program that analyses an arbitrary cross-section using the finite element method:
GitHub Page
More Info
It outputs properties that can be used in structural design, such as the second moment of area, elastic and plastic section moduli, torsion constant, warping constant, shear centre, shear areas and many more. The program also calculates normal and shear stresses resulting from an acting axial force, bending moments, torsion moment and/or transverse shear forces.
I made this because I couldn't find anything out there that was free, gave me everything I wanted, could analyse any section imaginable, or was super easy to use, so I hope I've fulfilled all the above.
Always happy to receive feedback, positive or negative, but I hope it's useful for at least one other person






RE: A free, rigorous cross-section analysis tool for engineers
You can do most of the section properties without FEA of course, but not the torsion or warping constants.
Thanks also for the links to meshpy, which I didn't know about.
Doug Jenkins
Interactive Design Services
http://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/
RE: A free, rigorous cross-section analysis tool for engineers
Do you have a link?
OK, found it:
https://github.com/robbievanleeuwen/section-proper...
Scroll down to getting started.
Doug Jenkins
Interactive Design Services
http://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/
RE: A free, rigorous cross-section analysis tool for engineers
my structural engineering blog
RE: A free, rigorous cross-section analysis tool for engineers
I have set up a couple of Excel user-defined functions using xlwings. These read the input data from the spreadsheet and also return all the numerical results to the spreadsheet. The geometric results agree exactly with my section properties spreadsheet, to machine precision. I'm about to check the shear and torsion results against a FEA program.
At the moment the graphics (optionally) display in sequence in their own graphic box, the same as running direct from Python. I'll have a look at writing these as Excel graphics later.
I'll post some examples on my blog in a few days (with a link to your site).
Thanks again for all your work on this, and making it available.
p.s. I gave a presentation on limit state design methods last week, and used the Citicorp story from your site as an example.
Doug Jenkins
Interactive Design Services
http://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/
RE: A free, rigorous cross-section analysis tool for engineers
Looking forward to your blog post and flick me an email if you have any questions! Oh and glad to see you enjoyed the Citicorp story, it really is one of the 'engineering thrillers' haha!
my structural engineering blog
RE: A free, rigorous cross-section analysis tool for engineers
my structural engineering blog
RE: A free, rigorous cross-section analysis tool for engineers
Section Properties with MeshPY, including torsion and warping
Any comments/questions, please let me know.
Doug Jenkins
Interactive Design Services
http://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/