Roll no.

101
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SA LAB

Experiment No.6
AIM - Discuss and Compare various Software used in analyzing and designing structures in
the Civil Engineering field.

Observation-
Structural engineering is the branch of civil engineering that deals with the analysis and
design of structure that will support or resist the stresses, forces and loads. Throughout the
history, civil engineers have made an important contribution to improve the environment by
designing and construction major structures and facilities. The profession requires a lot of
accuracy because most of the time; the final result of any project will directly or indirectly
affect people’s lives and safety. As a result, software usage in this industry reduces the
complexity of lost of challenging projects

Today there are so many software and programs used in this discipline. The most respected
and widely used programs are STAAD and SAP2000. A brief explanation about properties
and features of software are revised in addition to a specific comparison has been conducted
between them as shown in Table 1.

1. STAAD PRO
STAAD (Structural Analysis and Design Program) is a general structural and design
program with applications primarily in the building industry-commercial buildings,
bridges and highway structures, industrial structures, chemical plant structures, dams,
retaining walls, turbine foundations, culverts and other embedded structures. STAAD is
fast, efficient, easy to use and accurate platform, conformation with many standard codes
and qualified to solve any type of problem. STAAD Pro features a user interface,
visualization tools, analysis and design engines with advanced finite element and dynamic
analysis capabilities.
STAAD Pro is developed on an open architecture called Open STAAD. All of the
functions related to input or output are available to the user, such as Get Maximum
Bending Moment or Add Uniform Load. STAAD also include a parametric library of pre-
built commonly used structures like trusses, buildings, mats, etc. that can be customized
by for modeling repetitive structures. The user can even add a template. In addition,
STAAD Pro has an embedded VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) editor which enables
users to write their own design, loading, or post-processing routines directly in the
STAAD environment.
These features had made the STAAD the professional’s choice. Today, STAAD is one of
the most popular structural engineering software products.
 2. SAP2000
SAP2000 (Structural Analysis Program) is one of the most popular structural analysis
programs available for civil/structural engineers. SAP2000 program has many
capabilities; for example: fast equation solvers, force and displacement loading, non-
prismatic frame elements, tension-only braces, post-tensioning tendons, highly accurate
shell elements, , multiple coordinate systems for skewed geometry, many different
constraint options, the ability to merge independently defined meshes, a fully-coupled 6-
by 6 spring stiffness and the option to combine or envelope multiple dynamic analysis in
the same run. This program mainly used by structural engineers to design and analyze
various civil structures such as dams, communication towers, stadiums, buildings, and
any type of structures. Using SAP2000 program in structures engineering helps civil
engineers in saving time and efforts, simplifying the complex calculation process,
offering flexible data modification during the solution and providing a good level of
accuracy even for the complex design. According to that, SAP2000 program became
more efficient and user friendly.
Features:
1) It offers a single user interface to perform modeling, analysis, design and
detailing.
2) It has included various templates and these templates are used for structures like
simple beams, 3D trusses 3D frames storage vessels, staircases dam structures and
pipes.
3) For starting a new model, templates can be used.
4) Analytical and physical models can be viewed.
5) Plan and elevation views are automatically generated.
6) Interactive database allows Edit for editing model data in a table view,
7) Tables are importable and exportable from Excel and Access.
8) Mesh can be generated.
9) It creates joints at intersections.
10) The standard concrete, steel and composite section properties are included.
Table 1 comparison between STAAD and SAP2000

SAP2000 STAAD
1. Developed by Computer and 1. Developed by Bentley Systems
Structure, Inc.(CSI).
2. It is widely used in Latin America, 2. It is widely used in Asia and
Portugal, Italy and Spain. United Kingdom
3. More efficient in dynamic and 3. Less efficient in dynamic and
seismic analysis. seismic analysis
4. License of SAP2000 is more 4. License of STAAD is cheaper
expensive
5. Modeling analysis including P- 5. It does not have this feature.
delta, large displacement and
construction effect.
6. SAP2000 is less preferable for the 6. STAAD is more preferable for the
construction steel structure. construction steel structure.
3. ETAB
The innovative and revolutionary ETAB is the ultimate integrated software package for
the structural analysis and design of buildings. ETAB is Finite Element Analysis software
created by CSI and is used. to model and analyze the structures mainly buildings and their
components to see how a building behaves under various loads. It 'is the integrated
software package for the structural analysis and design of building. Incorporating 40
years of continues research and development, ETAB software becomes sophisticated and
comprehensive design capabilities for a wide range of materials and insightful graphics. It
allows users quickly and easily understand the analysis and design result. ETAB
integrated every aspect of the engineering design process.
Features:
1) This software is used for modeling tools with templates, analysis methods and
solution techniques.
2) It gives to user's full control of the units used with all model data and displays the
results in units desired.
3) This software offers a single user interface to perform the modeling, analysis,
design, and reporting.
4) ETAB integrates every aspect of the engineering design process.
5) Plan and elevation views are automatically generated at every grid line to allow
for quick navigation of the model.
6) Multi-tower buildings can now easily be modelled by using the new tower feature
in the ETAB.
7) ETAB has dynamic analysis capabilities which include the calculation of vibration
modes.
8) Comprehensive and customizable reports are available for all analysis and design
output.

4. STRAP
STRAP (Structural Analysis Programs) is sophisticated and user-friendly software
that allows engineers to design and analyze of many different structures. It is a
window-based suite used with finite element static and dynamic analysis programs to
buildings, bridges and other structures. This software is one of the most
comprehensive and versatile structural analysis and design software systems available
in the market today. It is extremely used by large construction companies, government
agencies ' international agencies, engineering firms, educational and research
organizations worldwide. STRAP software's has unique design capabilities make it an
outstanding structural design program in the practices.
Features:
1) STRAP contains a "wizard" library of standard structures that enable us to
define our model by specifying only a few parameters and may be extended by
the user.
 2) Load combinations can be created after analysis is performed and
combinations can be changed instantly without solving the model again.
3) The graphical interface of STRAP processors is very powerful and at the same
time interactive with easy to use.
4) STRAP used for designing and detailing of reinforced concrete structures post
tensioned concrete, steel and composite members.
5) STRAP is suitable for analysis and design of frames, towers, tanks, bridges,
domes and just about any elastic structure.

5. TEKLA
Tekla is a software product family that consists of software for analysis, design and
detailing and project communication in all modern construction projects. It is a building
information modeling software which is able to model the structures that incorporate
different kinds of building materials including steel, concrete, timber and glass. Tekla
allows structural drafters and engineers to design a building structure by using · its
components using 3D modeling which generate 2D drawings and access building
information.
Features:
1) The software enables users to create and manage 3D structural models in concrete
or steel and guides them through the process from concept to fabrication.
2) Tekla Structures is known to support large models with multiple simultaneous
users, but is regarded as relatively expensive, complex to learn and fully utilize.
3) It uses only one tool for all materials (concrete, timber, steel etc.) and projects.
4) Open collaboration and collaborate with project members and third parties.
5) Localized software gets help from local support in more than 20 languages
6) Engineers have used to model the stadiums, offshore structures, plants, factories,
residential buildings, bridges and skyscrapers.
7) This software is used to write, store and distribute our own custom calculations.

6. SAFE
It is the tool for modeling, analysis, design and detailing of concrete floor system and
foundations. Laying out model is quick and efficient with this program. The data from
CAD, spreadsheet or database programs can be imported. Slabs and foundations can be of
any shape and can include edges shaped with circular and spline curves.
Features:
1) Laying out model is quick and efficient.
2) The data can be imported from CAD, spreadsheet or data base program.
3) Slabs or foundations can be of any shape.
4) Post tensioning may be included in both, slabs and beams to balance a percentage
of the self-weight.
5) It is useful for structural designers to design pre-stress slabs.
 6) Comprehensive and customized reports are available for all analysis and design
results.

7. SkyCiv STRUCAL 3D
This is structural analysis and design software. Skyciv structural 3D is structural analysis,
software on the cloud. This 3D frame analysis software facilitates to model, analyze and
design number of structures.
Features:
1) It is powerful structural analysis software which includes structural frame analysis,
section builder, buckling, cables, plates, frequency, response spectrum and nonlinear
analysis.
2) The design can be done with nearly all standard codes
3) It has different components like Sky Beam, section builder, structural 3D, connection
design, RC design and wind load module.
4) SkyCiv is powerful structural analysis software - supporting a wide range of
elements including plates, cables, prestress and cables.
5) It is used to design steel members and connections, It is also used to design RCC
members.

8. LUSAS
It is infrastructure design software which includes the areas such as RCC frame design,
rail load optimization and advanced concrete modeling which are based finite element
analysis system. The software products are available for analysis and design of bridges,
structures, composite products or components, etc.
Feature:
1) For reinforced concrete frame design which carries design checks subject to
bending and axial forces.
2) Reinforcement details are defined for any regular or arbitrary shaped section.
3) For railway and rail bridge structures can be designed.
4) It computes shrinkage stresses
5) It can be used to design steel frame.
6) Modeling of post tensioned structures with beams and shells can be done.
7) Vehicle load optimization can be done including Rail road.
Below is overview of some of the most commonly used structural engineering software as
displayed in table 2
Table 2 Overview of comparison of different Structural analysis software.

Software name Description

SAFE This software is based on finite element
method, it is used to analyze the
 components of reinforced- concrete, and
post- tensioned slabs, beams and
foundations.
RISA 3D It is 3D dimensional analysis and design
software used for design and analysis all
kinds of structures and all common
structural materials, including concrete,
steel, aluminum and wood.
ETABS Engineers are using this program to perform
various analysis start from linear, nonlinear,
static to dynamic analysis. Furthermore, it is
used to design building systems. It was used
to create the mathematical model of the Burj
Khalifa, which is currently the world's
tallest building.
MicroStation MicroStation is the world’s leading 2D and
3D CAD and information modeling
software for the architecture, engineering,
construction, and operation of utility
systems, roads and rail, bridges, buildings,
communications networks, water and
wastewater networks, process plants,
mining, and more. 3D models can be
created using parametric or direct modeling
features.
Struds It is a structural analysis, design and
detailing software. It is used in designing all
building components including slabs,
beams, columns, shear walls and
foundations.
STRAP This software is a powerful tool for analysis
and design of a wide range of skeletal and
continuum structures such as buildings,
bridges, shells, towers, floor slabs, beams,
columns and foundations.
Tekla It is a versatile 3D modeling used to manage
detailing, fabrication and erection of steel
structures such as industrial plants,
commercial buildings, etc.
ANSYS It is a finite element analysis software with
powerful capabilities that provide simple,
linear, static analysis in addition to complex,
nonlinear and transient dynamic analysis.
LUSAS It is used for civil, structural offshore and
seismic engineering. Engineers using it in
analyzing bridges, tunnels and assessment
of all types of structures.
Conclusion – Thus, discussion and Comparison of various Software used in analyzing and
designing structures have been successfully done.
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