6 Free Websites All Civil Structural Engineers Should Know!

Introduction and Free Engineering Websites

In this section, the speaker introduces the importance of software and resources for engineers and highlights the availability of free engineering websites.

Free Websites for Structural Analysis

• The speaker mentions that there are several free websites that are surprisingly good for structural analysis.

• Two tools from the same website are recommended: SkyV 2D frame calculator and iive truss calculator.

• These tools allow users to model their own geometry of frames or trusses and obtain support reactions, shear forces, bending moments, and axial forces.

• The frame calculator has limitations in terms of the number of members that can be inputted and locked results in the free version.

• Similarly, the truss calculator allows up to 12 members but also has locked results in the free version.

• Despite these limitations, both calculators are useful for students to verify hand calculations quickly.

Optimal Beam

This section introduces Optimal Beam as a simple 2D beam solving tool.

Features of Optimal Beam

• Optimal Beam allows users to model their own beam geometry, support types, and loads.

• It provides support reactions, bending moment diagrams, and shear force diagrams as outputs.

• Users can input multiple loads and spans without limitations compared to other online tools.

• However, deflection checking is not included in the free version.

Struct X

In this section, Struct X is introduced as a catalog of handy structural engineering references.

Useful References on Struct X

• Struct X offers various beam design formulas categorized based on loading and supports.

• Each formula page includes diagrams for easy understanding and calculators for quick calculations using user-inputted numbers.

• These formulas are particularly useful for simple beam analysis with basic loading.

• The website also provides quick reference tables for steel reinforcement and information on geotechnical engineering.

Conclusion

The speaker highlights the availability of free engineering websites that can be valuable resources for engineers, especially students. The mentioned tools, such as SkyV 2D frame calculator, iive truss calculator, Optimal Beam, and Struct X, offer convenient ways to perform structural analysis and access design formulas.

Interpolation and Section Properties Calculation Websites

In this section, the speaker discusses two websites that automate repetitive calculations in engineering design. The first website is used for linear interpolation, while the second website calculates section properties.

Linear Interpolation Website

• The speaker finds it surprising how often they use a basic website for linear interpolation in design codes.

• This website allows for linearly interpolating intermediate values to obtain more accurate results.

• It is particularly useful when working with Australian codes and dealing with intermediate values.

• Manual linear interpolation can be tedious and time-consuming, so using this website saves time.

Omni Calculator

• Omni Calculator is another website that automates repetitive calculations.

• The speaker mainly uses it for calculating section properties.

• Users select the type of section and input the geometry to automatically obtain various section properties.

• This tool has been helpful in pile design, checking steel plate capacity, and engineering mechanics classes.

• Students can benefit from using this tool to check their answers quickly and accurately.

Section Property Library

In this section, the speaker introduces a website called "Section Property Library" that provides material properties for typical sizes of timber, steel, and light gauge steel sections.

Section Database

• The Section Property Library is a comprehensive library of material properties for different types of sections.

• Users can choose the desired material (timber, steel, or light gauge steel) from the database.

• The database includes typical sections used in Australia, the US, and Europe.

Searching and Filtering

• Users can search for specific sections by typing their names or filter sections based on member type, grade, or depth.

Benefits

• This website is particularly useful when designing timber members due to its inclusion of various parameters required for different design formulas.

• It also helps individuals working on projects in different countries by providing locally used sections and properties.

• The website offers additional free features and a paid version for more complex analysis.

Conclusion

In the final section, the speaker concludes the video and suggests watching related videos on engineering habits to avoid and learning structural engineering from scratch.

Final Remarks

• The speaker hopes that viewers have learned something from the video.

• They recommend watching other videos on engineering habits to avoid and learning structural engineering from scratch.

• Appreciation is expressed for the audience's support and the video ends.