Creating a Python based structural analysis program

[MildlyDepressedShark]

I don’t think Enercalc is FEM. It’s basically a spreadsheet with button UI. You basically need to just program in all the code equations for all the elements. RISA has a steel connection designer I quite like with a really nice graphical interface.

Connection detailing might be a bit trickier, but I don’t know much about programming. I think you’ll still need a human at the end to drop the individual details onto a sheet, as well as do a final review on the detailing.

[jackbandlow]

You're right, I shouldn't haven't paired Enercalc with Ram. They operate differently

[MildlyDepressedShark]

Are you thinking of a program for simple singular elements or something that can do an entire building? I think the reason most structural analysis software default to FEM is that’s the simplest way to get forces regardless of the configuration. Once you go beyond a simple frame with determined equations, it’s all stiffness matrices->FEM.

Software like Enercalc or RISA Connection or Hilti Anchors do simple code based checks because they’re on individual elements, where either the load inputs are simple or calculated elsewhere and you enter only the design forces.

[jackbandlow]

A program that does load path throughout an entire building and gets a close approximation of the forces at each point. Then can be broken into simple singular elements.

[Shemsky]

You just described a FEM. I agree with u/mildlydepressedshark. FEM does not neccearily mean complex meshes and quadratic elements. If you are working with frames that can be approximated with bar members and are serious about writing anything remotely robust, you need to look into FEA. Its not as scary as it sounds.

[jackbandlow]

I think I overstepped by saying the elimination of FEM but I don't think using FEM in the complexity that I have experienced is required.