Limitations of Enercalc 1

[StrP88]

Does anybody have list of limitations of Enercalc in steel beams, columns, on retaining walls?
I appreciate if somebody knows some restraints on this program

Thanks

 

[Deadblow]

I know that it is not capable of doing a P-delta analysis for frames.

EIT

 

[StrP88]

Anybody else?

Anybody has tried to use Enercalc and faced some limitations?

What about the steel beam Torsion quick calc? Anybody has used that? limitations?

 

[JStructsteel]

The program itself is sometimes wonky. Will just quit, lock up, etc. The input too can suck if you dont save often, you will sometimes loose items.

 

[sponton]

I agree with @jrisebo. Also when you do columns with timber it doesn't take into account the Cd factors correctly, so you don't get to use the greater values for seismic/wind loadings resulting in chunkier members.

I mean with steel it is simple, and it works all right, obviously it's only for single beam applications and you cant do single angles or plates or the thing won't tell you if you need stiffeners. older versions would let you modify properties so you can make up your own sections but as far as i know the new version doesn't.

 

[Once20036]

I haven't used it recently, but I would caution that you should check all the results thoroughly. There used to be a lot of inconsistencies.
The worst that I remember was the retaining wall calculations. Despite numerous calls with their tech support we couldn't replicate any of their results.

 

[JedClampett]

StrP88, what are you after? There's all kind of threads dedicated to beating up Enercalc, some of which are deserving. But are you thinking of getting it? Getting rid of it? It's not fair to just ask us to take potshots on some software.

 

[StrP88]

Dear JedClampett (Structural)
I am not after anybody or anything
I am new in using this software and want to know in what cases I better not waste time using this program or know that it cannot help me with my problem

Whats wrong with asking people that have experience using that and learning?
I dont want to reinvent the wheel

 

[jayrod12]

Jed was strictly asking for clarification on your question. You are free to ask questions, however your question seems extremely general and frees up people to attack the software for whatever slight they may have.

I do believe you've received adequate answers, and enercalc is no different from any other software in that you must double check the calculations until you are comfortable that it is performing them correctly. Anyone can learn to use software, but not everyone will know if the output is correct.

 

[JedClampett]

If you would of said that, your post has a completely different flavor.

 

[StrP88]

I like to know like telling me the beam option just do these and if you have such loading then Enercalc cannot design it or the retaining wall is only for this type of walls or for this hights or...?

I dont think I have heard all these beside the first response was Enercal does not do the second order p-delta analysis

I am sure there are more but yet havent heard it

 

[StrP88]

Anybody has used the steel beam torsion calculation with Enercalc?
Any comments?

 

[CConrad]

If you are interested in the limitations on Structural Engineering Library from ENERCALC, the best place to come after reviewing the User's Manual is directly to us here at ENERCALC. We will be glad to assist if you are specific with your question. If you can describe the application thoroughly, we will be glad to let you know if there is a module that is appropriate for that situation.

Director of Development
ENERCALC, Inc.
Web:

http://www.enercalc.com

 

[CURVEB]

I've generally had good experiences with Enercalc. I find a bug once in a while, but the support team is very responsive. They always gets back to me within a day or 2 to let me know if they can replicate the bug and that it will be fixed in the next release, which usually comes out within a month or so.

I've been able to confirm their results almost always, and if I can't their support team is very good about explaining the process and how they came to their conclusions. There are some limitations (as others have mentioned), the one that comes to mind for me is that the concrete shear wall module doesn't calculate any special shear wall reinforcement requirements (which would be very nice to have, but certainly isn't a necessary feature).

I don't work for Enercalc. I've been using the software for 8+ years.

 

[kc9508]

I too have used Enercalc for about 8-9 years and it is generally a good product. It sometimes has some bugs, but they are typically pretty good in cleaning them up quickly, particularly if notify them of it. Like with any software, you just need to ask yourself if the answer makes sense. I've used the torsional steel beam analysis and found that it produces good results with simple beam designs. The first time I used it, I just double-checked some output with the AISC design guide.