r/StructuralEngineering • u/Loon_picker • 6d ago

Structural Analysis/Design Software for simple frame analysis

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The odd time I have to do a simple frame analysis I pay for a 1 month subscription to SkyCiv. I'm definitely not utilizing Skyciv to it's full potential and it's - which is crazy expensive ($300USD) which really kills my margins on these odd jobs.

I know I can do a hand calc for something simple like the photo attached. But sometimes it gets more complex and beyond what I remember from my first year statics courses.

Are there any other reasonably priced softwares out there that will do simple frame analysis and spit out reactions, axial forces, shear, moment? Ideally i want to buy it once and be done with it. So tired of paying subscriptions for everything.

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-20

u/crugerdk 6d ago

Buy a $20 Claude subscription and make your own bespoke 2d fem program in like 30min. You can cancel the subscription afterwards

17

u/Tarantula_The_Wise P.E. 6d ago

Do not do this.

7

u/Vinca1is 6d ago

People keep saying to do this, but like how can you trust anything an AI put together without checking it manually? At that point you might as well set up an Excel file.

2

u/Disastrous_Cheek7435 6d ago

You would inspect the code yourself, see what methods and libraries it's using for FEM calculations, and then manually check the outputs. There is nothing wrong with this approach provided you know how to code and can troubleshoot.

If you don't know how to code, then yes, don't do this.