The Top 5 Construction Software for Structural Engineering

Structural Engineering at present is experiencing a lot of development and improvement since it began. Among the developments that are taking place is the use of software for structural design that can help us come up with more accurate and safe designs, particularly when dealing with complex structures. It is crucial in structural engineering that theoretical and practical skills continue to matter despite the software making life easier.

Structural Engineers are the only ones who can fully comprehend these software developments based on fundamental knowledge. Structural Engineers should be familiar with the top 5 structural engineering software programs. The following are their names:

1. SkyCiv

SkyCiv is a powerful yet easy-to-use structural analysis software available via the cloud. Online, there is no need to install anything, and it works on both PCs and Macs. Structures can be modeled and solved with SkyCiv structural engineering software.

It is possible to combine multiple loads. The package includes design checks from AISC, NDS, ACI, AISI, Euro code, AS, CSA. Most traditional software cannot compare to reliability and user-friendliness of SkyCiv. In addition, it contains a wide variety of powerful modeling capabilities, such as grids, snapping, repeat mirroring, and many others.

SkyCiv is a unique structural engineering software company that stands out from the traditional structural engineering software companies not only because of our powerful structural engineering software.

In order to make engineers' work processes and designs more efficient, SkyCiv continuously innovates, challenging previous workflows. SkyCiv API v3 provides engineers with direct access to a wide range of structural engineering and design analysis, design, rendering, reporting, and modeling tools directly. That will help engineers innovate and complete tasks more efficiently in the field of structural engineering and design.

2. ETABS

ETABS is a program designed by Computers and Structures Inc, otherwise known as CSI. When designing buildings and towers, this software may be the most powerful software available. The ETABS software allows structural engineers to design complex multi-story buildings from simple to complex, regardless of whether they are designing a single-story structure or an entire skyscraper.

Uses of ETABS

This grid-like geometrical patterns are used everywhere, including modeling tools, load prescriptions, and analysis methods. System evaluation under static or dynamic conditions is possible with ETABS. A sophisticated assessment of seismic performance may incorporate P-Delta and Large Displacement effects with modal and direct-integration time history analyses.

Features of ETABS

Easy-to-use features streamline the process of implementing complex applications. As ETABS can be coordinated and productively used from simple 2D frames to elaborate modern high-rises, it offers interoperability with a wide range of design and documentation platforms.

3. STAAD.Pro

Bentley's STAAD.Pro software designed for building structural analysis and design in 3D. The software can also design and analyze nearly every kind of structure, making it one of the most comprehensive in the industry.

This software can analyze and design structures of any size and type. Structures can be designed for simple or complex loading conditions, such as gravity loads, dead and live loads, skip conditions, and lateral loads such as wind and seismic conditions.

4. PROKON

In 2009, PROKON Software Consultants developed an application dubbed PROKON, which is widely used in different parts of the world. Structural engineering analyzing and designing structures contain more than forty programs such as finite element analysis, design, and detailing. An intuitive interface makes this software very user-friendly and comprehensive.

5. Safe

In addition to CSI, SAFE is another structural engineering software for designing foundations and concrete slabs. The SAFE integrated design process integrates all aspects of engineering design easily and intuitively. Models can produce rapidly and efficiently because of sophisticated drawing tools, in addition to presenting import options for drawing data from CAD programs, spreadsheets, and databases. Any form of slabs or foundation is possible, including circular shapes and spline curves.

Uses of Safe

A concrete slab and foundation system can be modeled, analyzed, designed, and detailed by using SAFE, a powerful and easy-to-use structural design software. It is an engineering tool designed specifically for lifting floors and foundation slabs. Along with sophisticated modeling, analysis, and design tools, slab analysis and design processes account for post-hearing, punching and securing, and beam details, as well as soils, ramps, columns, braces, and walls.

Features of Safe

The SAFE interface with SAP2000 and ETABS lets users obtain local assessments of large slab systems by importing slab system models, loading, displacement, and displacement fields. SAFE models can originate from SAP2000, ETABS, and CAD models or import them from these systems.

To learn more, watch the following video tutorial.

Video Source: The Structural World

A template initiates a model quickly. The direct drawing of slab shapes is possible by the grid, snap, chamfers & fillets, trims & extensions, circular- and spline-curve controls.

The Top 5 Construction Software for Structural Engineering
Image Courtesy: thestructuralworld.com