Cold Formed Steel 1

[JIMPB]

Does anyone have experience with CFS cold formed steel software?
I have acquired this software. This will be a learning experience.

Thanks in advance.

 

[MikeHalloran]

I used CUFSM software (finite strip method) to evaluate some cold formed pieces we made. The results were at least credible, predicting buckling pretty much where we had already seen it in service. It made me wish we could 'afford' the engineering time to evaluate such stuff before building it.

The software was relatively easy to install, configure and use, and didn't crash.

I claim no particular expertise in any related matter.


Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[JIMPB]

Thanks Mike,

 

[jdgengineer]

I have used it although, not extensively. For typical metal stud partition calcs / ceiling framing calcs I typically use Steel Smart System. It's a software put out by The Steel Network, it's free and seems to be pretty good. They make you jump through a bunch of hoops to get it, but it seems like a pretty extensive software.

 

[garpe]

I've been using "CFS" by RSG Software for a while. It's reasonably priced and has some good output options for things like buckling modes, etc. SteelSmart is pretty good also.

 

[LPPE]

jdgengineer - Do you still use Steel Smart System? I have downloaded the software and have been trying to get an access key from them for almost two weeks now with zero success, not even a call back or email. I'm wondering if they are out of business?

 

[frv]

LPPE..

I've used (and on occasion continue to use) the Steel Smart System. They've always been very responsive and attentive. Are you sure you didn't lose an email in a spam filter?

 

[JIMPB]

Looking at AISIWIN. "Bearing Length (in) and know the min. is 3/4"
but not sure about the interior.????? Does any one use this software.

 

[JIMPB]

Light gauge is a new experience. Interesting at the least.

Thanks for all the response.

 

[LPPE]

frv - Yep, checked the spam filter. Nada. Not sure what is up with the Steel Network.

JIMPB- No, I haven't used AISIWIN. Any good?

 

[JIMPB]

LPPE-AISIWIN seems to be straight forward; I just need to understand the process.
RE: end bearing and interior.

I started looking at CFS by RSG , another fun process.

 

[jdgengineer]

I still use the Steel Smart System, and don't have any issues with it. It's a little clunky and slow at times. I just had to renew my license and got it e-mailed to me in no time. May want to try e-mailing again...

My wife works for an engineering company that specializes in cold formed and they pretty much always use LGBeamer. Not sure how expensive it is. We don't do a whole lot of cold formed so the free program from TSN works fine for us.