Engineering Design 'Stack' 4

[MRob909]

Hi All,

I was listening to a podcast where some software developers were discussing their 'tech stack'. Meaning the various bits of software they use in their day to day to undertake their work. This got me thinking that every structural engineer I talk to uses different tools and resources to deliver their projects. I've listed out some of mine below, maybe there will be some useful tools here that we can share, feel free to add your own below:

Personally I use the following:
Frame Analysis & General FEA: Dlubal RFEM
Steel Connection Design: https://www.ideastatica.com/
Manual Calculations: (Simple Elements, or Repetitive Calculations): MathCAD
Anchors, Resin: Hilti Profis

3D Modelling: Autodesk Inventor
Model Review/ Markup (For 3rd Party): https://viewer.autodesk.com/
Drawing Review/ Markup: IPad with Goodnotes App
Digital sketches: IPad with Concepts App
Online Sketches: www.witeboard.com

Historic Geotechnical Data for UK: British Geological Survey (Boreholes)
Historic Maps for UK: National Library of Scotland Viewer

Useful Problem Solving Website: https://untools.co/
Useful Charts, Diagrams, Visuals: https://flourish.studio/

 

[XR250]

Anyone here use Vectorworks for 2d drafting? I never learnt autocad since the company I first worked for used Vectorworks, after coming from Minicad back in the day. It always seems far more intuitive than autocad and has python scripting built in.

I used Minicad back in the day but soon switched to Powercadd on the Mac and have been using it ever since.

 

[Jakob 76]

• FE Analysis & Design:
  • RFEM
• Manual Calculations:
  • Calculate in Word Add-in
• Anchors:
  • Fischer
  • Hilti Profi
• PDF
  • PDF Exchange
• Drafting:
  • Sketchup
  • Layout (Trimble)

 

[XR250]

I'm on a Mac so I may be speaking a foreign language to some.

2d Frame and Beams - FrameMac (from the 80's and still works fine)
Retaining Wall - RetainWall (another from the 80's)
Hand Calcs - HP11C
PDF - Acrobat Pro
Drafting - PowerCadd
Anchors - Profis
Misc. Calcs - Excel, BCCalc (for engineered lumber sometimes)
Light Gage Steel - AISIWin and CFS (run under virtualization)