We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Software

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Structural Software?

By N. Kalu
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 7,831
Share

Structural software is software used to prototype and analyze architectural designs. Also referred to as structural engineering software or civil engineering software, it is employed mostly by civil engineers. These engineers require a high level of data analysis and digital dimensional manipulation to meet their professional objectives.

In the real world, civil engineers and structural engineers design with components such as beams, joists, footings and rafters. Structural software gives them an opportunity to visualize these components on screen. Many of these programs require that the engineer know what type of loads are weighing down on the component and precisely what sort of component it is. These components can then be viewed and manipulated in the software's design module.

Components can also be drawn by the engineer using the software. Most structural software programs offer a way to create different elements from scratch. Usually, set figures such as lines, polygons, and boxes are provided for this purpose.

An important part of many of these programs is the calculation, or structural analysis, module. This module calculates data specific to a wide range of building elements. From a mock up of a concrete slender wall to one of a steel beam with torsional loads, this part of the software is able to replicate the design of such elements and provide mathematical analysis specific to any one element.

Any reliable piece of structural software will offer database and spreadsheet features so that the structural engineer or the civil engineer can more clearly research the type of elements being used in a design at any given time. These databases track a variety of measurements specific to a component. For instance, if an engineer needs a rolled steel section for a design, that engineer can refer to the software's database which gives the weight, area, depth, and many other specifications of numerous rolled steel sections.

Custom databases and spreadsheets can be made according to the engineer's needs. Structural engineering combines creativity and hard mathematical data. For this reason, it is important that this type of software provides a way for the engineer to create specialized databases that pull all the components of a particular project into one spreadsheet.

In addition to structural analysis, structural software also performs other critical functions for engineers. Reporting features allow users to gather data. Detailed graphics and diagrams are provided for presentation purposes. Color coding may also be available to differentiate groups of data. Some types of structural software provide animation, allowing for a more dynamic and three dimensional presentation.

Share
EasyTechJunkie is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Related Articles

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.easytechjunkie.com/what-is-structural-software.htm
Copy this link
EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.