beam design software

[proinwv2]

I am a mech. engr and I have a client that will require several beam designs in different sizes and loading.

They will all have uniformly distributed loads, that do not extend the full length between simple supports.

Also I might have the same in a statically indeterminate (3 supports) arrangement.

I need to calculate stress and deflection. There are enough variations and investigations to make software the best way to go.

I would appreciate any recommendations you guys might have. I probably will not use this again. I will not be designing trusses or complex designs, and would like to spend under $300.

Any suggestions. Thanks alot in advance!


Paul Ostand

http://www.ostand.com

 

[UcfSE]

I didn't look too hard into it, but does the orand software help you with design? It looks like it is still up to you to determine allowables and the effects of local and global instability.

 

[proinwv2]

DWHA

Well the reason is it moves slightly vertically and also must clear some machine elements on the floor, hence it is limited to being on supports.


The Orand software allows you to set up the problem very easily so you input loads (cont, conc., moment), supports (type and location), dimensions, I etc.

The output is shear, moment, deflection, stress, slope and maybe something else.

Check it out the free demo is full functioning. And no, I have no connection with them. Actually, I haven't purchased it yet, still using the demo.

Dave, I'll check out the ones you mention.

Thanks again

Paul Ostand

http://www.ostand.com

 

[rday]

ostand,

Not to be entirely flip but, if your time is so valuable; wouldn't it be better spent farming out this work to someone who specializes in structural work? It will take far less time and the return product will definately be correct. In fact in the three days spent discussing which software to buy for under $300 dollars, a structural engineer could have had you an answer and kept the project moving.

I do structural and civil work and there are alot of other engineering problems I COULD tackle. But my time and my clients' money is better spent allowing those who specialze in those fields address those problems, while I address those in which my expertise lies.

 

[CJJS]

Based on ostand's posts, it appears he has enough qualifications to size a beam. A few posts over a 3 day period on this forum doesn't mean he's spending that much time looking for the correct software.