Lightweight Structural Software

[narlee]

I pose this question on the Revit Structure Forum, but some of you guys would know. Looking at BeamChek and StruCalc. Don't need to integrate with Revit or anything, just trying to do some basic stuff.

Any suggestions?

[barathd]

Have both programs - work very well for simple sizing. If money is an issue Beamchek is fine - I really don't find Strucalc all that much better. Both are extremely simple to use.

Good luck.

[muttlieb]

I've also used both programs but I currently use StruCalc. It's been a couple of years since I used BeamChek but I find Strucalc a bit more flexible for handling more complicated loading conditions. If you mostly do simple loading conditions and money is an issue go with BeamChek, otherwise I'd get StruCalc. I suppose I'm also biased to StruCalc because the engineering firm that created the program is down the street from my office and I occasionally use them if I need an engineer for something StruCalc can't handle. ;)

[captainbunsaver]

What if I only want to analyze slabs? (on grade, very simple, reactions from pre-engineered metal building)

Thanks

[muttlieb]

What if I only want to analyze slabs? (on grade, very simple, reactions from pre-engineered metal building)

Thanks
If you're just dealing with point loads, StruCalc can handle rectangular and continuous footing design.

[narlee]

Thanks, guys. And, it looks like, for trusses, one must go up a notch in software sophistication, or (god-no!), break out my old engineering books.

[narlee]

and ditto for retaining (basement) walls.

[muttlieb]

Thanks, guys. And, it looks like, for trusses, one must go up a notch in software sophistication, or (god-no!), break out my old engineering books.
Right. I let the truss manufacturer handle their own engineering. And for retaining walls I use the StruCalc guys.

[Henry D]

"And for retaining walls I use the StruCalc guys."

Any suggestions for software that also does retaining walls?

[David J Krope]

We also use StruCalc for simple calculations and are not afraid to email our structural engineers with anything, no matter how small, that we feel uncomfortable with. The firm that we work with will work on hourly for us and we have received invoices for less than $100 from them for some of our dumb questions. Engineering fees are reimbursables. We also have "shared" the StruCalc calculation printout with the same engineering firm for their review. This allows us to check the "No we do not do any structural engineering" box on our yearly professional insurance application.

[narlee]

Hey Muttlieb,

I don't see retaining walls as part of the StruCalc package?

[narlee]

Does anyone use IES software (iesweb.com). Appears one level too complex for my feeble mind.

[muttlieb]

Hey Muttlieb,

I don't see retaining walls as part of the StruCalc package?
There isn't. Sorry to mislead. I meant that I use the actual engineering firm that wrote the StruCalc software when I need retaining walls designed. They are located just down the street from me ;-) . Maybe I should ask them to add a retaining wall module...

[knurrebusk]

I need to construct light structures with Revit?
Glass/concrete/steel that is in the same league as Revit.

I´vie found my own solutions, but not satisfied.
Seen so many buildings done ages ago.

All these wonderful work of art done so many years ago.

Sad that there is almost no interest of these issues.
Because nothing is worse than stagnation.