"Simple" beam software

[ThomasH]

Hi all

I'm sure that everybody have access to more or less sopisticated software. But now I need something simple. A software for continuous beams. It should handle steel, concrete and timber according to Eurocode. Load and load combinations and a summarized result presentation.

Somebody might say, why just beams? Answer: To keep it simple and fast. We have a software that meets the requirements but there is indications that the development stopped. So we need a replacement.

A software that can be used to design a beam in less than a minute, that's it.

Ideas are appreciated.

Thomas

 

[jayrod12]

Winbeam will allow you to enter material properties and supports for any material and will solve reactions, deflections etc. It's very easy to use. It doesn't do your design for you, it's strictly an analysis program that will analyze a beam based on E, I, etc.

They have a free 30 day trial.

 

[Archie264]

If that's all you're looking for there's a lot of freeware out there, especially for Excel spreadsheets. I suppose you have to be careful about downloading a virus, which, admittedly is not a trivial concern. Or if you have the time and inclination you could develop your own.

Ram Beam used to be cheap; I don't know of it's current status.

Enercalc used to offer a lot for the money.

There are many options out there so I suspect others will offer additional suggestions.

 

[WWTEng]

I recommend looking into Tedds. It can do beams, simple and cont and it can aslo do composite beams. It also has a ton of other useful applications.

 

[EngineeringEric]

StruCalc works well, is quick and does full design. But i do not know about Eurocode situations. And continuous beams are limited to three spans (or currently limited in v8)

 

[msquared48]

BeamPro is very user friendly, can do all sorts of materials and loading situations, as well as simp0le and multiple span situations, and with cantilevers too. I think it's only around $40.00 or so. I use it all the time...

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[johnbridge231]

Well, I strongly recommend that one, which is in my opinion the BEST software for the analysis of continuous beams and frames.

 

[ThomasH]

Thanks a lot for the replies so far. There are some interesting options.

As for developing our own, the one we use today started with an enthusiastic colleague. Nothing wrong with that but when he leaves or the enthusiasm fades you realize there might be a problem. The software is extremely efficient but in some respects the expiration date may be an issue. That is why we need a alternative or an additional option.

We'll see what happens

Thanks again

Thomas

 

[Guest262653]

Have you considered an Excel only program? Check the Newton Excel Bach blog and you'll get many different free programs.

For continuous beams:

http://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/2012/09/20/daily-download-4-continuous-beam-analysis/

For frame analysis:

http://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/2012/09/21/daily-download-5-frame-analysis/