The Latest Advances In Structural Design & Calculation Software

The construction sector has grown and advanced significantly over the last decade. This growth has led to an increased demand for structural design and calculation software that uses engineering principles to serve as an integrated analysis and design solution. The construction industry has always relied heavily on manual labor, but today’s architects and engineers use advanced technological tools to streamline their processes. 

With the advent of new technologies, structural designers now have access to powerful software tools that automate parts of the process. This allows them to focus on other aspects of their job, such as project management, budgeting, and marketing.

Structural design and calculation software help engineers and architects generate ideas about a structure’s form and function. In addition, these software solutions allow users to perform complex calculations quickly and accurately.

The development of structural design software has progressed significantly since its inception. Today, it is much easier to create structural models based on engineering concepts using computer-aided software. It also makes it possible to generate accurate 3D renderings from these models.

This article will discuss the latest advances in structural design and calculation software.

Performance-Based Design

Performance-based design (PBD) is the concept of starting with the end performance goal as the primary goal of any design project. PBD focuses on how a building or structure will perform under certain conditions. 

The approach entails a series of strict specifications regarding the design process, materials, strength, and detailing of structures. Once these requirements are met, the engineer can then begin designing the structure. 

Different structural designs of buildings are analyzed, changing the reinforcement of beams and columns in various combinations and at different story levels. The best possible combination of reinforcement whose damage is limited to slight structural damage or non-structural damage is determined in the performance-based design of building frames.

There are several benefits associated with using a PBD:

1. It ensures that the final product meets the client’s expectations.
2. It provides an opportunity to identify potential problems before they occur.
3. It gives the designer a chance to test various concepts without building the actual structure. 

Embodied Carbon Footprint

Predicting the environmental impact of buildings at the beginning of their design has become essential to improving their sustainability.

Carbon footprints give us an idea of the impact the process of constructing a building will have on the environment.

A carbon footprint can be calculated based on different factors, including energy consumption, transportation, material use, and land occupation. Structural engineers must consider the embodied carbon footprint of materials used during the construction phase to reduce the overall footprint.

Using a structural design and calculation software product, structural engineers can identify ways to improve their projects’ environmental and economic impacts through modifications such as selecting different materials or implementing innovative approaches. They can also note how adjustments might affect the project cost in real time.

Visual Programming and Parametric Modeling

A visual programming interface makes it easy to see, understand, and implement the program logic. Using simple programs, engineers can use visual programming to link disparate processes and improve design efficiency. 

This process improves benefits to staff and clients on every project. Businesses can also quickly expand their parametric modeling capabilities with visual programming. 

Parametric modeling is the process of setting dynamic parameters within a design, determining how those parameters can vary, and running multiple analyzes to arrive at the final system design for a given range of parameters. 

For example, in airport terminals, this method can minimize steel tonnage by varying the depth and spacing of steel trusses. 

Using parametric models, users can analyze several options in real time for clients. 

By using a visual programming platform, engineers can create parametric models quickly, iterate options rapidly, and share information visually with clients.

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM)

SHM is a technique that monitors structures for early signs of deterioration. This allows designers to make changes to the existing structure earlier than they would otherwise have been able to do so.

It is important to note that SHM does not replace traditional inspection methods or engineering principles, but rather complements them.

Using suitable sensors and data collection techniques, engineers can monitor the condition of a structure and take action before it becomes too late. These sensors include accelerometers, strain gauges, fiber optic sensors, acoustic emission devices, etc. 

Data collected by these devices can then be analyzed by specialized software. This software uses algorithms to detect anomalies in the structure and alerts engineers when something is wrong. A structural engineer can then decide if any repairs need to be made or if further analysis needs to be done.

Cloud and Mobility

With the rise of cloud computing, engineers can now access their designs anywhere, anytime. They can work on their designs using innovative engineering concepts without installing expensive software on their computers.

Many structural design software enables engineers to store their designs in the cloud, allowing them to access their files from any device.

Mobile apps enable engineers to view drawings, check calculations, and even run simulations from anywhere, making it easier to communicate with clients and other engineers.

Future of Software Engineering Research

Software engineering will play an increasingly more significant role in the construction industry. As software development advances, we will continue to see more breakthroughs from software engineers in the future. 

At StruCalc, we’ve developed an integrated digital platforms to create solutions that help bridge the gap between design and construction.

Our software developers are working hard to integrate new technologies into our products. We want to provide the best tools to help engineers complete projects faster while maintaining quality standards.

In software engineering, a structural design pattern is one of the most common ways of structuring programs in the field of computer science. It helps to develop stable software systems while minimizing maintenance costs.

In addition to providing new ways to design and calculate structures, it will also offer solutions to future problems in our built environment.

If you want to experience one of the best computer programs for structural design and calculation, we recommend trying out StruCalc Pro for free with a 30 day trial period. We have detailed walkthrough video tutorials to help you get started. If you would like more information about our product, you can reach us at +1 (800) 279-1353 or email us at support@thevitruviusproject.com.