Steel Column Software (checks)

[cnclark]

Hi i'm from Canada, i'm wondering what's the most used program to check steel column given live load, snow load and dead load, tributary etc. and it gives you the result. I want to know what people are using in Canada and elsewhere thanks

 

[MiketheEngineer]

RISA - 3D

 

[JoshPlumSE]

If RISA-3D is a bit too advanced (or pricey) for someone seeking a single beam or single column program. Then, I'd recommend taking a look at RISA-2D. Same program, just scaled down to 2 dimensions, and less than half the price.

The RISA website has a good demo version you can download to evaluate it more thoroughly. It still may be a bit complex for someone seeking a single member program. But, once you get used to it, I imagine that it will be a better value than a single beam or single column program could be.

 

[HeavyCivil]

Sounds like Enercalc would be fine for you. Stupid-easy to use, its pretty much a glorified spreadsheet, but a much better spreadsheet than most of us have the time to make.

You'll find the various FEA programs are much more powerful, but also can be less user friendly. IMO using an FEA program like Risa3D or Ram Elements for something you really could do by hand is like hanging a picture on your wall with a Ramset.

 

[firai]

For member design, ENERCALC and StruCalc are probably the easiest to use. You also have the option of using various spreadsheets made available all over the internet (you can look at the AISC steelTOOLS site). Frame analysis/design programs are an overkill (and quite expensive) for this purpose.

Structural Design Engineer
New York, NY