Residential structural software

[casperzz]

Has anyone got a recommendation for structural design software that's set up for residential (stud walls, i-joist floors, truss roofs, lvl and steel beams) framing?

I currently use Enercalc for the beams and joists and ACAD for the drawings. I would like to find a program that reads an ACAD drawing and can analyze the structural members.

Thanks.

 

[mjohan]

http://www.optiframe.com

It has been developed by truss-joist and mitek software. The license is expensive.

 

[SacreBleu]

Have you checked the Ram Systems and RISA websites? They advertise wood framing capablities, but I have not looked into their software. WoodWorks is a popular program. Enercalc's web site says they are coming out with a major new software. Their current package is dated, and not very good for wood, so we are using mostly Excel spreadsheets for wood design.

 

[UcfSE]

I would not recommend RISA for wood, though it is very good for analysis and steel design. I can't say for sure but if you want the ability to import a dxf file for analysis then you are probably looking at more expensive software than Enercalc. Wood works is written to conform with the NDS. It might be worth a look. I've never used it myself.

http://www.woodworks-software.com

 

[miecz]

UcfSE

Can you say why you would not recomment RISA for wood? I need to design a wood framed structure and I was planning to use RISA.

 

[UcfSE]

For usual applications it's ok for wood. You have a lot of choices for species but you cannot put in built-up members, such as a double 2x4 post or a built-up beam. It may be that my company just doesn't have the latest version but the code it uses is the 1991 NDS, a bit out dated. Other than the old code and the problem with doing something other than a single member, RISA works ok with wood. Anytime I have needed to design something with wood these always bugged me.

 

[casperzz]

Thanks for the replies. I will look into optiframe. I've used RISA and found it OK but not what I wanted. I will also try RAM and woodworks.

Thanks for the help.

 

[stack]

The latest version of RISA supports 2001 NDS, multi-ply sections (3-2x4, etc.) and Structural Composite Lumber.

 

[epr]

Hey, everyone missed one of the simplest, yet best, software for residential design . . . StruCalc. There is effectively no learning curve, the cost of the software is quite reasonable, and you will find it useful on at least 80% of your residential work.
By the way, I have no relationship with StruCalc, but I have been using it since version 1, and obtain every upgrade.

Refer to

http://www.strucalc.com

 

[geoffdale]

We use strucalc as well and find it good, except for use with vertical loads only on footings.
Thanks
Geoff