continuous steel beam with 4 spans 1

[poseiden]

I was looking for a simple program which I could use to determine maximum moments in a continuous steel beam with various loading conditions(both uniform and point loads).
The 48' beam would be used for a residential girder, with 4-12 foot spans. Point loads are carried down from the second floor & roof, and uniform loads will vary through the length.
Thanks for help.(especially for any freeware or demo programs).

 

[mrMikee]

poseiden,

Check out these discussions:

thread507-132180
thread404-132284
thread507-126195

It sounds like you might want a specific program for beams rather than a general purpose frame program. There might be something in these threads that you like, or you could try more searches. Software is a popular topic.

Regards,
-Mike

 

[fleisher]

Try out STAAD.beam (

http://www.reiworld.com)

from Research Engineers or Bentley now.

 

[archeng59]

Enercalc is great, inexpensive and user-friendly. STAAD is great but more expensive and not always user-friendly for beginners, in my opinion. My younger engineers mis-use STAAD repeatedly and it's a challenge to keep up with their mistakes. Don't have as much problem with their use of Enercalc.

 

[SlideRuleEra]

The freeware, "BeamBoy" will do exactly what you ask and is very easy to use. Here is a link

http://www.geocities.com/richgetze/

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net

 

[poseiden]

Thanks All!
Your responces are a great start. I'm going to start reviewing them now. I like starting with the "easy & free" ones first, since I don't get involved with steel that often - mostly just simple beams & columns.

 

[poseiden]

Thanks SlideRuleEra-
I tried Beam Boy and it seems just the ticket!
I really don't need,at this time, the more involve analyses using the other programs. Beam Boy was easy to use and handles variable loading conditions.
By the way, I like the photos of the slide rules. I also use to use one (K&E), which I've learned to use most of the scales. What a difference with computers!