Wood Works Shear wall software

[JStructsteel]

Anyone ever use this, and how good (or bad) is it. For the price it seems a no brainier, but not if its not going to save time.

Thanks

 

[dik]

I've not used the shearwall part, but I've used WoodWorks for over a decade, off and on... the program is excellent.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[JStructsteel]

Thanks. Im going to give a try on a complex diaphragm layout i have.

 

[phamENG]

Let us know how it goes. I've been contemplating it but never tried it. I'd actually forgotten about it. I just finished a multistory shear wall design and that would have been really nice...

 

[phamENG]

Just watched a video on it...looks like pure magic. My only question is whether or not you can add a custom sheathing material. I'm seeing more and more of the ZipR and other "new" sheathing products that aren't covered explicitly in any software.

 

[phamENG]

Sorry, J - I feel like I'm taking over your thread. Anyone know if the modules are interconnected? If I do a building design in Sizer, can I link the wall layout to Shear Walls and the beam and post reactions to Connections? My guess is no, because with that level of functionality they could charge $2k/year and probably get it, but it would be neat...

 

[dik]

from my wood expert...

I have upgraded to WoodWorks 2020 Canada and it is now in modules with yearly subscriptions.
Sizer, connections and shearwalls. Because I had Design Office 10, I have a one year free upgrade.
I use sizer almost daily and I have tried connections too. Both work well. I haven't had time to
try shearwalls. I suspect, if you start at shearwalls, it could transfer beams and joists directly to sizer.
Connections I'm not so sure.



Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[phamENG]

Thanks, dik. Good to know.

 

[KootK]

I've not enjoyed my experiments with WoodWorks' shear wall module:

- Difficult to model the complex stuff that I'd want it for.

- An overwhelming amount of output in my opinion. They get full marks for thoroughness but I find that I wind up not having a good feel for things.

I've reverted to hand calcs with spreadsheet assist. That said, I'm also doing flexible diaphragm assumtion 90% of the time.

 

[Brad805]

I agree with Koot on the shearwall module.

 

[NorthCivil]

Last time I used woodworks was 2017

Their beam sizing software was good and easy, my office at the time paid for it, though one could easily write their own excel or mathcad sheets that do the same thing. (though most engineers are too lazy for that)

Their connections software was marvelous, and the real value offer in the package IMO

 

[hotmailbox]

If you design buildings that can be decomposed easily into multiple rectangular-shaped boxes (absolutely no non-parallel boxes) then Woodwork Shearwall is really a piece of art if you know exactly what to do. I have to admit that the output is overwhelming. That's why I developed an excel plugin to post-process the output into an easy-to-read format. The plugin also calculates the average of flexible and rigid design the way you want (say max of average and x% of max (flexible,rigid)).

Woodworks Shearwall is something now I can't live without. They are working on a new package that combines both Shearwall and Gravity framing to design the entire structure but I don't know if they succeed and when it's available. I haven't seen any update for a year.

I suspect, if you start at shearwalls, it could transfer beams and joists directly to sizer.
Connections I'm not so sure.

No beams and joists in shearwall module and it's not connected to any other module.

Anyone here knew/used this piece of software? It died in 2011-2012 because the lack of funding and couldn't be sold to anyone. I haven't used it but seen some demos and it worked like wonder. Found only these over google.

https://www.bridgeart.net/software/programs/lateral-worx

https://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/01/prweb3467324.htm

https://www.facebook.com/uspconnectors/photos/a.265873037997/394845942997/?type=3

 

[JStructsteel]

Thanks all. I was able to get a demo version installed, will try it out.

Hill Mary, not sure why the response, other that the fact I would not expect a computer guy to use it.

 

[hotmailbox]

Thanks all. I was able to get a demo version installed, will try it out.

If you have questions about it, please post them here and I try my best to answer it. I struggled with it for a while when I first started and I almost gave up. You can send questions to customer support the guy there is quite responsive and helpful.

 

[skeletron]

Concept mode in Sizer has some ability to connect members framing into other members. I have not had successful experiences with this and just revert to running Sizer with manual loads which is typically quick&dirty enough for my projects.

The Shearwall module is decent. I agree that the inputs are quite intensive and you really need to know what you are doing before jumping into it. Follow a tutorial and model a simple box or L-shape before moving on. I haven't used it for multistory, but I think there is value in it. Hand calcs and spreadsheet is where it's at, though, because you can understand the fundamentals a bit better.