structural steel software comparison

We are currently using a 2D beam programme and we would like to switch for a 3D steel design software performing FEA mainly on steel beam elements in accordance with ASD (BS5950 or BS449 in options)

Is there any articles comparing different 3D beam softwares like STAAD, GT STRUDDLE, SAP2000, ROBOT 97,...)we could browse thru?

Thanks

 

[fleisher]

I don't know of any comparisons in the market that is reliable. We use STAAD for soil-structure interaction, dynamics (pump pads) and steel design (ASD and LRFD). We looked atr STRUDL, but it was way out of date. SAP was good but the graphics were weak and it was too costly. I don't know of ROBOT 97. STAAD also has several international codes - we sometimes use the Canadian steel codes.

 

[stressed]

I agree with Fleisher that there are not any software comparisons out there worth reading which would help you make your decision. So why not download limited node demo copies, from REI, CSI, Robobat and compare for yourself? I would add one more for your consideration, Risa 3d, although I'm not sure if it offers british standard design options.

In just a couple of years, software products can change quite a bit. For example, Fleisher says he uses Staad for dynamic analysis of pumps, but we had problems with Staad just a few years back on a similar application - Staad shell output would not give us forces/moments at joints, no constraint options forcing us to model with rigid dummy elements, and poor meshing options to name a few of the issues we had. Sounds like some or all of these limitations may have been resolved

My point is not to criticize Staad, but to point out that all programs have their good pts and bad pts, and most of us don't have the time to keep up with the changes and enhancements made to these various products unless a vendor gives us an on-site presentation or we attend their seminars.

But with availability of demo software, you can do a hands-on evaluatation to compare and decide for yourself

 

[lippie]

stressed is right. Check out the demos of these programs. STAAD does a lot of seminars on the road and they have some nice tutorials on their website. Don;t know of the others. They have made a lot of enhancements on plate elements since 2001. Also take a look at MIDAS.