Need a decent section property calculator for irregualr shapes

[850R]

Hello all,

I have about 5 aluminum sections that I need their section properties.
I used Staad Section Wizard to get them but it is not giving everything correctly.
I need a more decent software to calculate them.
Does anyone have a suggestion?
Thanks.

Here are the sections I am talking about

http://files.engineering.com/getfil...5e89-4e33-ae1a-5c5d61d33efd&file=sections.jpg

 

[Shotzie]

Would the "massprop" command in CAD help? Link

Edit: I realize that CAD is a general term (like saying BIM insteasd of Revit), I should have specified AutoCAD.

 

[EDub24]

Enercalc provides custom section properties.

 

[KootK]

Unless your aluminum sections are uncommonly simple, I suspect that Shotzie's recommendation will be the way to go. CSI has a nifty free cross section calculator now.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

If you look at the link OP posted they're not simple at all.

I 2nd using autocad, other than calculating plastic section modulus and torsional moment of inertia it's pretty much going to get what you need.

Professional Engineer (ME, NH, MA) Structural Engineer (IL)
American Concrete Industries

https://www.facebook.com/AmericanConcrete/

 

[JoshPlumSE]

I've done some sections like that (imported from AutoCAD) in RISASection. The importing can be a little temperamental, but it when it works it is really cool for this sort of thing. It may be that the CSI guys have similar function.

 

[DenverStruct]

Draw that on autocad, put whatever pt on 0,0,0. Set it as a region (you can add and remove region). Then use the massprop command.

 

[KootK]

If you look at the link OP posted they're not simple at all.

My bad, I didn't catch the sketch. Definitely AutoCAD or it's equal then. The CSI phone app wouldn't be able to handle this. In general, it would probably also be much more useful as a desktop app than a phone app.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

 

[IDS]

The section properties spreadsheet here:

https://newtonexcelbach.com/2014/11/02/section-properties-update/

will do elastic section properties other than torsion and warping for any closed shape defined by coordinates. Use the Coords-Shape sheet.

This one:

https://newtonexcelbach.com/2017/12/09/section-properties-with-meshpy-including-torsion-and-warping/

will do torsion and warping as well, but needs Python and xlwings (both are free).



Doug Jenkins
Interactive Design Services

http://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/

 

[jimstructures]

Have you looked at IES ShapeBuilder software? I haven't done shapes like yours in ShapeBuilder, but I have done many cold form sections and hot rolled combined shapes. It allows you to enter Autocad drawings for the shape and then process it.

Jim

 

[BridgeSmith]

The Bentley Microstation CAD program will calculate section properties also.

 

[850R]

Thank you very much all. Unfortunately I don't have AutoCad but I do have Microstation.
HotRod10, Can you please tell me how to get those properties with Microstation?
Thaks for the spreadsheets as well.

 

[BridgeSmith]

In Microstation, you'll find the moment of inertia, etc. under "Measure", "Area", choose "Flood" from the dropdown and pick inside of the closed shape, check the box for "Mass Properties" in the dialogue box, and click the down arrow at the bottom right of the box to expand it to show the section proerties.

I haven't personally tried to use that feature, and I'm only marginally familiar with Microstation in general, so if you need more help, sorry, I'm not the guy to ask.

 

[robyengIT]

in french, free download :

http://www.cticm.com

>> outils >> logiciels >> logiciel PropSection V.1.03

 

[Whoopdedo_LSU]

Shotzie is correct.

I use multiple aluminum shapes daily and using the massprop is ideal.

 

[bridgebuster]

try this. There a several spreadsheets.