steel truss connection software

[Nix12]

I'm designing a 25m x 18,5m x 3 storey (4m high) building.The structure consists of 350mm x 700mm concrete columns at 5m c/c along the 25m length. 1,5m deep steel girders span the 18,5m length from column to column. The steel girders support a 200mm thick in-situ concrete slab at each floor.

My question: any truss to column design software out there?

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Yes - a lot. but if you can't do it by hand - don't trust a computer!!

 

[JedClampett]

Agree with Mike. By the time you do your research on what software to buy, get it, install it, learn it and use it, you could design 50 connections.
Plus, software is based on someone's else's vision of design. You end up "tricking" (putting in 0 stiffness members, weird load cases, etc.)it for your case. It's much more satifying to do the work by hand.

 

[connectegr]

I agree with Mike and Jed. It is not terribly hard to write an MathCad or spreadsheet program to do the calculations. Design examples are available. If you can't do it by hand, how do you know when the software solution is wrong?

http://www.FerrellEngineering.com

 

[Nix12]

Done the calc's, would like something to compare my answers with.

I'm a South-African working in Namibia, and the only design software we use around here is Prokon. Unfortunately Prokon does not help me with this type of connection.

I know our design codes and standards differ from other country’s but the principles stay the same.

Just expanding my horizon a bit... so any suggestions of software I can look at?