Structural Analysis Software Recommendations

[cvanoverbeke]

I have been looking for structural analysis software that interfaces with Revit Structure for over 2 years. My main concern outside of cost which I cannot really avoid is capabilities of the software.

I am looking for software that has the following capabilities in one package (which I think does not exist)

1) Can analyze structural masonry in FE program

2) Can analyze stuctural steel, concrete and WOOD

3) Can analyze composite buildings i.e. concrete with masonry and steel in one package

4) Has CANADIAN standards!!!

Any feedback would be appreciated

Cvanoverbeke

 

[alphaxy]

Cvanoverbeke,

Use Etabs for concrete and SAP2k for steel.. =) CSI products are absolutely good for buildings. For Finite elements, you may use SAFE or ADAPT. You might also want to try ROBOT MILLENIUM but I haven't used it but I think it is a good software also for buildings and finite element =)

Absolutely no software is good for all =) It would crash your system. Try producing a simple visual basic program to a complex one and observe the time in running the analysis =)

Cheers =)

Regards,
AlphaXY

 

[EngMarami]

CSI SAP2000 is a general FE program that has built-in features specially for concrete & steel structures. (also has many codes such as Canadian standards).
plus all of these, if you want to analyse a wooden or masonry structure you can define its material characteristics & use it for FE & also Design.
another general program is Ansys but working with it is more complicated.

Good Luck.

 

[khdhr]

I think that orion program is suitable

 

[Kevinkdb]

Advance Design America designs steel, concrete and wood (!)
to Canadian codes.

http://www.graitec.ca

 

[Bobber1]

Risa 3d is pretty close to what you are requesting. I don't think their composite design is adequate, though.

Risa considers Canadian codes.

It also links into Revit Structural.

 

[OCI]

I also recommend Scia Engineer. It has advanced modeling and analysis capabilities plus the best UI of the structural engineering FEA products available (in my opinion).

 

[Mixtli]

Any FEM program (to a point) can analyse steel, concrete, plastic, or whatever material you input to it, i.e. the analysis to obtain mechanical elements (M,V,N) is the same, the tiffness matrx formed and bla, bla, bla is the same regardless of the material, the result changes when you change material.
When it comes to design then you have to have a very good engineering judgement as to what is the main purpose of the structure and so on, also you may have to consider second order analysis depending on the results of the design, which will vary on the material used.
I am going to upgrae soon, but for the time being I use Visual Analysis (

http://www.ies.com)

only for analysis and then I design using excel sheets.