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/

 

[EngDM]

RSTAB is the exact same as RFEM, just without the shell elements, so if someone likes RFEM, they should like RSTAB as well. I'm personally a big fan of the programs and wish I had access to them. The initial price is attractive, however once you get to all the addons for design and other features, it can get pricey. However, the nice thing with RFEM 5 was that it only used the license when actually using the addon (for example, if you're running steel design to check the members, the license is only pulled while that window is open to setup the parameters and to run the calculations - viewing the results does not use a license), so you didn't need as many licenses of the addons as you had of the main program.

Unfortunately, I think they changed that with version 6, and now the addons are 'locked' to one of the licenses for the main program.

Also, are the CSI products (SAP2000, Etabs etc.) no longer being offered on a perpetual license?

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For my programs, I run with the following:

• Frame Analysis & General FEA:
  • SAP2000 for 3D
  • Ftool for 2D
• Steel Connection Design:
  • Excel/MathCAD/Smath Sheets
• Manual Calculations (Simple Elements, or Repetitive Calculations):
  • Hand calculations
  • Excel/MathCAD/Smath Sheets
• Anchors, Resin:
  • Hilti Profis
• CAD Software
  • AutoCAD

Can RFEM run code checks as well like RSTAB? Like is it just a more fleshed out RSTAB?

 

[driftLimiter]

my understanding is that you purchase add-on packages for different design modules.

 

[STpipe]

Can RFEM run code checks as well like RSTAB? Like is it just a more fleshed out RSTAB?

Yes, if you purchase the requisite addon. I wouldn't call it more fleshed out, the programs are virtually identical save for one having the capabilities to model shell and solid elements.

 

[human909]

Here is my list. Heavily biased towards SpaceGass and Inventor. I do plenty of steel structures and more complex structural/mechanical steel equipment.

• Frame Analysis
  • SpaceGass
• Standard Steel Connections
  • SpaceGass
• Complex Steel Analysis
  • Autodesk Inventor: Nastran In-Cad FEA
  • Handcalcs on paper, Excel, or paper
• Wind Calcs
  • CheckWind (prior to this Excel/paper)
• Timber and Residential
  
  • ClearCalcs (Clearcalcs is great for a basic residential workflow, but it is quite lacking in breadth.)
• General Drafting
  
  • Autodesk Inventor (I'm adept with it and less adept with 2D packages. So I stick with what I know.)

Software I am interested in:

• IdeaStatica: Amazing for niche steel connections, but not cheap and I only would use this a few times a year.
• SkyCiv: A more powerful version of ClearCalcs but seems to lack a residential/timber focus and is trying to be a jack of all trades but master of none.

 

[Craig_H]

Keep in mind that I am a small one-person shop and keep my software lean as a result:

• Frame Analysis & FEM
  • SAFI GSE. I sometimes feel like I am the only one using this, but it works well for me.
• Building Climatic Loads
  • Jabacus. Buddy started charging and he should considering how quickly he updates to code revisions, etc. Still very affordable given how much time it saves me.
• Timber and Residential
  • WoodWorks Sizer
  • "Hand" calcs & spreadsheets for connections & lateral design
• "Hand" Calcs
  • I use SMath extensively for everything from one-of to semi-repeatable calcs that need a minor tweak project to project.
  • Excel (actually, LibreOffice Calc) for more repeatable spreadsheets.
• General Drafting
  • BricsCAD. Still a perpetual license, affordable, and darn near as featured as Autodesk products for traditional CAD.
  • PDF XChange Editor for PDF Markup
  • Third party if I need Revit.
• Reports & Documents
  • LibreOffice