eng software for dummies 4

[mattf11]

I am new to steel structures, but familiar with mechanical design. Can anyone advise me of a good entry-level engineering software package useful in calculating "red-iron" members for small buildings and residential structures? All help is very welcome.

 

[JAE]

Try RISA-2D. Easy and intuitive and fairly inexpensive. Very reliable as well.

http://www.risatech.com

 

[dik]

JAE:
I've an evaluation copy of RISA-3D (haven't had time to try it out). Have you heard anything about this program?

 

[JAE]

We currently use it quite extensively and really like it. Very good quality software as there is rarely any "bug fixes"...in other words, they've done a good job in their quality control. It currently allows very fast input, numerically through a kind of spreadsheet format or graphically....its all woven together. Compared to my experiences with a number of other products, it is the easiest/fastest/most inexpensive of all.

It designs in steel or wood. Supposedly, concrete is coming out in the future. They also have a base plate and footing program as well. Does second order, animation, rendering, etc. Lots of graphics.

 

[JAE]

I forgot to mention - its obvious - we're rather biased toward the product due to our familiarity with it. However, it does get the best user ratings in "Modern Steel Construction". I'm sure, though, that there are quite a few other good products out there. I've heard good things about ETABS, SAP, and ROBOT.

 

[dik]

JAE:
Thanks...

 

[Lina]

I have been using Visual Analysis. Very good program cost around $1,500.0. Designs for steel, timber, concrete, aluminum, square foundation, rectangular foundation, and base plate.
I have other structural programs that I did not like to use just because Visual analysis is a good full package.

 

Risa-2D evalluation copy Internet adress, please.

 

[JAE]

http://www.risatech.com

 

[LPPE]

I've used RAM AdvanSE and think it's pretty good. It has the data entry in spreadsheet form or graphically, and has a concrete detailing module (along with steel, but no wood). I have only found one bug in it so far, and there is a patch on the website for it.

 

Sorry, dummies ? what's it ? please translate to french or spanish. Tks.
just kidding;
dummy for me is phanton, like a litle casper (!!!)

 

[ishvaaag]

Como mi socio de en tiempos decía, software "para tontos".

I use RISA 3D and am of the same opinion, very good. In any case for concrete in Spain there's a package CYPECAD that far surpasses all others in production drawings; it suffers however of incremental development infering it ungainly organizational scheme of input/analyzing. Those accustomed however must be happy with it since it does most of structural works one needs to make in Spain. It is not however state of the art as SAP2000 or those heavy in nonlinear etc. Just business design tool for the buildings of every day.

 

[Solangel]

Visual Analisis is the easier program I´ve seen, but it is only for small structures, when I used it whit a bigger project, it gave me strange answers. I have changed to RISA 3D since a few days, and how I read this is a good program, well, I hope so.