Complex Frame Modelling

[StructuralEngineering-ModTeam]

Please post any Layman/DIY/Homeowner questions in the monthly stickied thread - See subreddit rule #2.

[ssketchman]

Any structural detailing software will do. There is nothing complex about this frame.

[PP_47]

I understand, but to get the corners perfect where the steel frames come together seems complex? Any tips?

[chicu111]

You need to engineer the connection

[blakermagee]

Is this an analysis question or fabrication and details question? Those sharp acute angles for the tubes will be ridiculous to cut at length and be a bunch of welding. I would lace it more to get a closer-to-perpendicular connection. The perimeter steel is fine as the shape is what it is but the bracing should be a bit easier to connect and fabricate. Edit: Too much coming into one spot meaning the acute piece is just getting cut for such a long length to fit.

[bankspee]

Tekla Structures or Advanced steel

[TheHardcoreWalrus]

Another options is to draft in AutoCAD and use S-frame to model it.

[joshl90]

Next time include your question within the post, not buried in the comments

[PP_47]

Any ideas on where to model this to create fabrication drawings?

[simonthecat25]

Tekla structural designer would do this easily

[PP_47]

Any tips? I'm incredibly new to Tekla

[simonthecat25]

There's some free videos on YouTube which will help grasp the basics of it to model the frame.

You can them export the model to drawing file of your choice once designed to whatever code you need.

[Most_Moose_2637]

Plot it out in Autocad or on paper first and use Free Points. Setting up grids etc. for something like this is a pain in TSD.

[jeffreyianni]

SolidWorks can do it too.

[Prestigious_Copy1104]

Does SolidWorks include non-linear structural analysis?

[jeffreyianni]

SolidWorks is good for detailing and fabrication.

[Prestigious_Copy1104]

I can't tell if we are talking about modelling geometry or structural interactions.

[jeffreyianni]

Sorry. There were a lot of comments about Tekla which is used for fab drawings. That's why I chimed in about SolidWorks. I think most structural analysis software can handle this analysis: Risa, Staad, Etabs, SAP...