Best Structural Engineering Software in South America - Page 3

Currently, structural and civil engineers face immense challenges and pressures in their work. The expectation to produce more output with fewer resources and in a shorter time frame, all while maintaining the same standards of safety, budget efficiency, and adherence to codes, is overwhelming. This situation is compounded by tighter financial constraints, compressed deadlines, and constantly evolving regulatory requirements. Clients often request design modifications without any adjustments to the budget, adding to the stress of professionals in this field. Structural engineers are highly qualified individuals, and the precision required in our work carries significant responsibility for any errors made. The ongoing competitive landscape and increased workloads can significantly impact the quality and detail of our projects. Faced with these dilemmas, many professionals ponder their options: should they work longer hours, bring additional help on board, or scale back their project commitments? The pressing question arises: "How can I enhance the quality of my engineering designs without pushing my team to the brink or sacrificing profits through excessive hiring?" This is where the Structural Engineering Library (SEL) comes into play, serving as the most comprehensive, reliable, and extensively utilized system for streamlining daily structural engineering calculations and design processes. By leveraging such resources, engineers can find a balance between efficiency and quality, ultimately easing the burdens of their demanding roles.

OpenBuildings Designer, previously known as AECOsim Building Designer, is Bentley's comprehensive solution for multi-discipline building information modeling (BIM). It enables users to explore, innovate, and expedite the design and construction of buildings more efficiently than ever before. With the ability to design, analyze, document, and visualize structures of varying sizes and complexities, it enhances communication of design intent while overcoming obstacles between different building disciplines and teams located in different regions. The software empowers users to advance their building information modeling practices, leading to quicker project delivery and increased assurance in aspects such as design integrity, workflow efficiency, and overall productivity. By fostering collaboration among architects, mechanical, electrical, and structural engineers through a unified set of tools and processes, it streamlines project management. Furthermore, users can seamlessly integrate information from various formats and confidently tackle projects of all scales, ensuring that their design intentions are communicated clearly with customizable and dependable deliverables. This comprehensive approach ultimately transforms the building design process, making it more cohesive and effective.

The Akselos Cloud platform offers a comprehensive framework for Digital Twins through a cloud-based solution. It encompasses a full spectrum of services, from automated updates regarding asset loads and conditions to user-friendly dashboards that clearly display current asset integrity. With Akselos technology, there are no longer any constraints, as it allows for the modeling of intricate issues in structures of any scale with remarkable precision. Our innovative approach accelerates structural simulations, achieving speeds up to 1000 times faster than traditional software. Tasks related to design and operational workflows that previously required months of effort can now be completed in just hours. Furthermore, relevant data, including sensors and process parameters, can be seamlessly integrated with our models, enabling even greater optimization of your assets. Each of our simulations rigorously validates results against applicable engineering codes and standards, ensuring that you can trust your asset’s safety and compliance with all necessary regulations. This comprehensive capability not only enhances efficiency but also fosters greater innovation in asset management and maintenance.

STRAP (STRuctural Analysis Program) provides advanced software solutions tailored for structural analysis and design. It encompasses the full spectrum of the design process, extending from initial analysis to the creation of detailed drawings, and offers design engineers flexible options for an extensive variety of concrete and steel structures such as residential and commercial buildings, bridges, industrial facilities, retaining tanks, communication towers, and much more. This software stands out as a comprehensive tool for designing a broad array of structures, ranging from small residential projects to complex high-rise buildings. With its streamlined workflow, STRAP ensures that all necessary requirements for effective project analysis and design are met. It features an intuitive node definition process that allows users to work with either a Cartesian or cylindrical coordinate system, enhancing user experience and efficiency. Ultimately, STRAP is designed to support engineers in delivering top-quality structural solutions across diverse applications.

ASTRA Pro features optional applications for structural analysis and design tailored to reinforced cement concrete (RCC) framed multi-story buildings, RCC tunnel linings supported by steel ribs, and RCC portals that take into account rock quality designation (RQD) and rock mass rating (RMR), as well as designs for RCC and prestressed concrete (PSC) jetties. The software provides comprehensive analysis and design information in a step-by-step format, along with a complete array of editable CAD drawings. However, in the demo version, users cannot modify the default input data, and the available drawings are restricted to view-only access. Each design module is accompanied by complete reports and drawings, forming a cohesive set. Additionally, detailed estimations for bill of quantities (BoQ), item rates, and costs are available for various types of bridges, including girder bridges, box-type bridges/culverts, and composite bridges. ASTRA Pro serves as a specialized tool for engineering design, facilitating the creation of RCC 'T' girder bridges, composite bridges featuring steel plate or box girders, and RCC deck slabs configured for both single and multi-span layouts, whether straight or curved, as well as PSC 'I' girder bridges, PSC box girder bridges, continuous PSC box girder structures, and steel truss bridges. This software not only enhances design accuracy but also streamlines the engineering workflow for a variety of complex structures.

Enhance the efficiency of initial hull design and evaluate the stability of current vessels more rapidly by utilizing the integrated naval architecture features in MAXSURF. Simplify the process of hull optimization with user-friendly tools that cover aspects such as hull design, stability and strength assessments, resistance and motion forecasts, as well as preliminary structural design and strength evaluations. With MAXSURF's comprehensive suite of naval architecture instruments, visualize and refine vessel designs effectively. Achieve smooth hull forms, adhere to stability standards, reduce power consumption, and guarantee comfort for crew and passengers across diverse sea conditions. Additionally, optimize structural weight while maintaining compliance with scantling requirements through the initial modeling and stress analysis of beams and plate structures. MAXSURF empowers users to elevate design standards for vessels of all sizes. Seamlessly design, analyze, and enhance various types of marine vessels while unleashing your creativity through the swift and convenient modeling of intricate vessels utilizing dynamically trimmed 3D NURB surfaces. Furthermore, this innovative software ensures that you can adapt designs to meet specific regulatory and environmental considerations, enabling more sustainable marine engineering solutions.

Enhanced bridge construction from start to finish is achievable with OpenBridge Designer, which boasts sophisticated interoperability that allows users to access data from Bentley’s civil applications while ensuring a smooth connection to their bridge design and analysis tools. This enables project teams to transition the conceptual model created in OpenBridge Modeler to the detailed design phase, facilitating a comprehensive workflow that includes analysis and design, as well as assessing construction work stages using Bentley’s LEAP applications, RM Bridge, OpenRoads Designer, ProStructures, ProjectWise, and more. By integrating all these functionalities within a single application, users can significantly boost performance, create intelligent models through user-friendly 3D parametric bridge modeling features, and enhance project outputs with smart data management and automated drawing production, thereby transforming the bridge delivery workflow. OpenBridge Modeler serves as a powerful 3D parametric modeling tool specifically designed for bridges, ensuring precision and efficiency throughout the project lifecycle. Ultimately, this streamlined approach not only speeds up development but also elevates the overall quality of bridge engineering projects.

FrameWorks® Plus serves as an advanced structural modeling and drawing solution, enhancing your entire workflow from drawing and modeling to analysis and reporting. By merging structural tasks with the plant creation process, it adds significant value to your modeling efforts. Its compatibility with third-party analytical and steel detailing software, along with other Hexagon plant design tools, ensures that all elements of the structural engineering workflow are synchronized, keeping your data both accurate and up-to-date. This tool is fully compatible with PDS, allowing you to generate structural models of plants and seamlessly share the latest project information globally through its PDS interface. Furthermore, FrameWorks Plus is intricately woven into the engineering and construction processes, offering more than a mere CAD solution; it features intelligent graphics that facilitate straightforward modeling, analysis, and reporting. This enhanced capability makes FrameWorks Plus a vital asset for teams looking to streamline their structural engineering tasks effectively.

ProtaDetails is an innovative system designed to automate the creation and organization of all your structural concrete detail drawings simultaneously. It significantly reduces drafting time by efficiently extracting design specifics from ProtaStructure and arranging them onto your company's drawing sheets with ease. With specialized CAD editing and detailing features that cater specifically to structural engineering, you can enhance your drawing production process. The software enables you to make informed design decisions by providing comprehensive quantities extraction, allowing for value engineering of projects and enhancing the design services you offer to clients. Additionally, it simplifies the management of design alterations by effortlessly updating any project changes from ProtaStructure. ProtaDetails also boasts an expanding library of component macros that facilitate the instant design and detailing of common project elements such as retaining walls, stairs, piles, and foundations. By utilizing ProtaDetails, you can save countless hours of drafting time, accelerate project delivery, and increase both productivity and profitability, ultimately transforming the way you approach structural engineering projects. This comprehensive solution empowers engineers to focus more on innovative design rather than tedious drafting tasks.

ProtaSteel empowers structural engineers and detailers to swiftly automate the design of steel connections, generating high-quality steel detail drawings within minutes. By importing models created in ProtaStructure directly into ProtaSteel, users can save countless hours through the automated design of a diverse selection of bolted and welded steel connections tailored to their needs. It offers a 3D visualization tool that facilitates the coordination of models, allows for the addition of auxiliary steelwork, and enables thorough quantification and value engineering of projects. The software dramatically cuts down on both design and detailing time by automatically generating exceptional engineering drawings for all steelwork and connection specifics. Not only does this enhance the productivity of design teams, but it also boosts the profitability of business projects. Additionally, ProtaSteel simplifies project management by ensuring seamless coordination with other prominent BIM platforms such as Tekla Structures and Revit, fostering a more integrated workflow. In this way, engineers can focus more on creative problem-solving and innovation within their projects.

ProtaBIM has been crafted to enable engineers to effortlessly generate, share, and coordinate models with various project partners such as architects, fabricators, BIM experts, and owners. With our innovative ProtaHUB technology, we simplify the creation of models using a diverse assortment of both 2D and 3D data formats, including DXF, IFC, and Revit files. By employing intelligent physical objects, ProtaStructure models can be shared directly and accurately with other prominent BIM platforms like Autodesk Revit, eliminating the need to waste time on duplicating model data or correcting building layouts. You can save significant hours in your modeling process by initiating your work in either your preferred BIM software or ProtaStructure and easily exchanging your model back and forth as frequently as needed. Throughout the project, you can implement modifications and improvements, ensuring that your BIM models remain synchronized and current with the latest updates. This streamlined collaboration ultimately enhances project efficiency and promotes a smoother workflow among all team members involved.

Oasys software delivers cutting-edge solutions distinguished by their user-friendly designs and the efficiency with which they empower users to rapidly and economically test their concepts. This software enables engineers to tackle the most intricate design challenges with precision, ensuring adherence to global standards and compatibility with other prominent software packages. Users can access Oasys tools individually or take advantage of cost-effective bundles that group related applications. The suite includes a variety of analysis and design solutions tailored for buildings, bridges, geotechnical projects, and pedestrian traffic management. Oasys provides comprehensive engineering resources for architects, engineers, builders, students, consultants, and planners across multiple disciplines. Whether addressing simple low-rise constructions or sophisticated high-rise and specialized structures facing demanding loading scenarios, Oasys equips users with the necessary tools for thorough analysis and design, ensuring a robust foundation for any project. With Oasys software, professionals can maintain confidence in their results while pushing the boundaries of innovative design solutions.

MSC Nastran is a versatile application for multidisciplinary structural analysis, allowing engineers to conduct various assessments, including static, dynamic, and thermal analyses, in both linear and nonlinear contexts. This software integrates automated structural optimization and award-winning fatigue analysis technologies, all powered by advanced computing capabilities. Engineers leverage MSC Nastran to guarantee that structural systems possess the required strength, stiffness, and longevity to prevent failures such as excessive stresses, resonance, buckling, or harmful deformations that could jeopardize structural integrity and safety. Additionally, MSC Nastran serves to enhance the cost-effectiveness and comfort of passenger experiences in structural designs. By optimizing performance in existing frameworks or creating distinctive product features, this tool provides a competitive edge within the industry. Furthermore, it assists in addressing potential structural problems that might arise during a product's operational life, thereby minimizing downtime and reducing associated costs. Ultimately, MSC Nastran empowers engineers to innovate and refine their designs effectively.

Simcenter Nastran stands out as a leading finite element method (FEM) solver known for its exceptional computational performance, precision, dependability, and scalability. This comprehensive tool provides robust solutions for various applications, including linear and nonlinear structural analysis, structural dynamics, acoustics, rotor dynamics, aeroelasticity, thermal analysis, and optimization. One of the key benefits of having such a diverse array of solutions within a single solver is that it standardizes input/output file formats across all types of analyses, significantly streamlining the modeling process. Whether utilized as an independent enterprise solver or integrated within Simcenter 3D, Simcenter Nastran is instrumental for manufacturers and engineering firms across several sectors, including aerospace, automotive, electronics, heavy machinery, and medical devices. By catering to their vital engineering computing requirements, it enables these industries to deliver safe, reliable, and optimized designs while adhering to increasingly tighter design timelines. This versatility and efficiency make Simcenter Nastran an invaluable asset in the modern engineering landscape.

PLAXIS 3D encompasses crucial features necessary for conducting routine deformation and safety assessments related to soil and rock. This all-encompassing software facilitates the design and evaluation of soils, rocks, and their associated structures, enabling straightforward full 3D modeling. Users can efficiently create and adjust construction sequences for excavation projects. Additionally, it supports the calculation of steady-state groundwater flow, taking into account flow-related material parameters, boundary conditions, drainage systems, and wells. The software allows for the incorporation of interfaces and embedded pile elements to accurately simulate interactions between soil and foundation, addressing issues like slipping and gapping. With robust soil models and an extensive array of visualization tools, users can achieve reliable results. To tackle the specific geotechnical issues presented by soil-structure interactions, PLAXIS 3D provides various calculation methods, including plasticity, consolidation, and safety analysis, ensuring comprehensive coverage of user needs. Ultimately, this versatility makes it an indispensable tool for engineers in the field.

Framing serves as a versatile design tool tailored for timber frame and floor construction, addressing the evolving demands of the contemporary offsite construction sector. It is widely adopted by timber frame producers, structural engineers, and design firms, facilitating the creation of detailed 3D models for timber frame structures, which in turn generates thorough material schedules and manufacturing drawings suitable for both manual assembly and direct integration with industry-standard automated machinery and saws. The software excels in detailing a variety of timber frame building styles, and although it primarily operates within a 2D context, it efficiently constructs a 3D model based on user specifications, enabling straightforward verification of levels and heights throughout the process. This capability enhances accuracy and streamlines workflow, making Framing an essential resource in modern construction practices.

BeamChek is an intuitive structural design software tailored for architects, engineers, home designers, and contractors, enabling quick and precise calculations for beams, joists, rafters, and columns. It accommodates a variety of materials, including steel, wood, timber, and composites, allowing users to explore different load scenarios and choose from 57 wood species or enter custom values as needed. Featuring a straightforward interface and useful instant diagrams, it streamlines the design workflow while ensuring thorough boundary and error verification. As a one-time purchase, BeamChek also includes complimentary technical support, enhancing user experience. With fewer menus to navigate, common preset options, and reduced need to switch between forms, it allows for a more efficient design process. The software promotes consistent input methods for beam applications and conditions, providing more buttons for quick access to frequently used settings. This streamlined approach results in less typing and quicker outputs. Users can compare acceptable beams across two species groups in two grades prior to making a final selection on member width, depth, or grade, ultimately leading to well-informed design decisions. Additionally, the software's features promote collaboration by allowing team members to share designs effortlessly.

SDC Verifier serves as a comprehensive software tool for structural design, finite element analysis (FEA), and compliance verification with relevant design codes and standards. It can function as a standalone application or as an add-on to platforms like Ansys Mechanical, Femap, and Simcenter 3D, enhancing their capabilities for engineers and designers.

Numerous professionals utilize VisualAnalysis (VA) to efficiently meet their project deadlines. Users frequently commend it as "exceptional value" and "incredibly user-friendly." It provides essential tools that are budget-conscious. The software allows for the creation of 3D models for a variety of structures, including complete buildings, tanks, and towers, alongside offering both static and dynamic response analysis capabilities. It performs design code verifications for materials such as steel, wood, concrete, cold-formed steel, and aluminum. VisualAnalysis features comprehensive analysis and design functionalities, including automatic plate meshing, a command window, nonlinear elements, and dynamic time history analysis. Its 3D static and dynamic finite element analysis (FEA) is suitable for civil, mechanical, aerospace, and other types of structural evaluations. Additionally, it includes optional support for building code load combinations. Users can easily apply loads, distribute area loads to structural members, and manage gravity and lateral loads within the same project. The software enables the creation of frame, truss, or FEA models for nearly any type of structure, with the ability to sketch, generate, and import designs from CAD or BIM tools like Revit. With its rapid static analysis, P-delta calculations, AISC Direct methods, dynamic assessments, and nonlinear capabilities, it delivers proven and validated results for engineering professionals. Overall, VisualAnalysis stands out as a versatile solution for various engineering needs.

Revolutionize your infrastructure planning efficiency with our comprehensive solution that facilitates the rapid creation of precise and seamlessly integrated design models. Widely adopted by civil and structural engineers, Causeway’s Infrastructure Design solution includes essential modules for volumetric calculations, alignment design, drainage planning, and vehicle path analysis, complemented by tools for generating road markings and designing traffic signage. With advanced 3D modeling capabilities and robust integration features, this solution brings the full advantages of Building Information Modelling (BIM) to civil engineering professionals. Causeway PDS equips design engineers with state-of-the-art 3D design tools, empowering them to achieve optimal design outcomes. Tailored with dedicated auto-design and auto-update functionalities, this solution is specifically crafted to save valuable time for engineers, minimize risk, and ensure that every design is infused with intrinsic value. Ultimately, Causeway's comprehensive approach not only enhances productivity but also elevates the overall quality of infrastructure projects.

In times of tight schedules or limited resources, integrated solutions are crucial. RIBTEC provides many synergies in calculation design, construction, and design. In the context of Building Information Modeling (BIM), you can benefit from a faster data flow that streamlines the entire process of structural design. RIB's software solutions are available for structural engineers. They include building, ground, and finite element calculations as well as tunnel and bridge construction as well as the drawing of formwork or reinforcement plans. Since 1961, RIB has been a pioneer in structural design and FEM. Over 5,000 engineering offices, inspection and construction engineers, as well as planning departments from the public and private sectors use the RIBTEC programs. RIBTEC covers all aspects of structural design with more than 100 programs.

Exclusively designed for component manufacturers, MiTek® Structure stands out as a powerful tool that offers unparalleled structural modeling, editing, and estimating capabilities. Its innovative formula builder allows designers to craft and save personalized formulas, which can be organized into sets and applied to various jobs or specific objects. Estimates can be generated by leveraging these formulas on modeled items while also enabling the creation and customization of plan options straight from within a job file. Every type of member, from accessories to walls, can be included in these options, with flexibility for customization, including special junction considerations tailored to specific sites. Users have the convenience of modeling a unit once and deploying it multiple times, while the linked system ensures that any modifications made to the original model can be selectively updated across all instances. This streamlined process not only enhances efficiency but also maintains the integrity and consistency of the design across projects.

The iStruct® application suite serves as a vital resource for the design, specification, and delivery of structural products within the realms of residential and light commercial construction. These applications work together harmoniously, enabling the sharing of essential features such as product availability, pricing, templates, and customer information, which simplifies the process of achieving uniform outcomes with minimal effort. Created with the intent of fostering interdepartmental collaboration, iStruct® enhances your organization’s productivity while optimizing the design workflow, leading to significant gains in efficiency as well as savings in both time and costs. Additionally, the suite provides comprehensive analysis for both gravity and wind loads affecting all components of the wall, ensuring a thorough evaluation of structural integrity. This multifaceted approach ultimately contributes to more reliable and effective construction projects.

WeStatiX SHM integrates authentic simulation-driven Digital Twins with cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence into an innovative platform designed for infrastructure oversight. This technology can be utilized across various structures, including bridges, tunnels, slopes, and rock walls, offering precise insights into both the present and future conditions of the monitored entities. With WeStatiX, enhancements in structural safety are achievable, alongside the potential to streamline monitoring expenses and mitigate the ecological footprint of construction activities. Accessible directly through a web browser, WeStatiX|SHM enables users to develop tailored digital twins for the real-time surveillance of extant structures in the cloud. This versatile system caters to a wide array of infrastructures such as dams, buildings, and more, underscoring its adaptability. By leveraging a blend of advanced digital technologies, combined with the power of artificial intelligence algorithms, it serves as a formidable resource for the inspection and upkeep of any monitored structure. Additionally, the platform facilitates a proactive approach to maintenance, ensuring that infrastructure integrity is continually assessed and preserved.

Subjecting your designs to real-world scenarios can significantly enhance product quality while simultaneously minimizing the costs associated with prototyping and physical testing. The SOLIDWORKS® Simulation suite offers a user-friendly collection of structural analysis tools that employ Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to forecast how a product will behave in actual physical conditions by virtually evaluating CAD models. This comprehensive portfolio is equipped with capabilities for both linear and non-linear static and dynamic analyses. With SOLIDWORKS Simulation Professional, you can refine your designs by assessing mechanical resistance, durability, topology, natural frequencies, as well as examining heat transfer and potential buckling issues. Additionally, it facilitates sequential multi-physics simulations to enhance design accuracy. On the other hand, SOLIDWORKS Simulation Premium allows for an in-depth assessment of designs concerning nonlinear and dynamic responses, dynamic loading conditions, and composite materials. This advanced tier also features three specialized studies: Non-Linear Static, Non-Linear Dynamic, and Linear Dynamics, ensuring a thorough evaluation of your engineering projects. By leveraging these powerful tools, engineers can achieve greater design confidence and innovation.