I am a new user and I really like strucalc but I would like to mention a couple of things that I think would make strucalc better.

First, I would like to see more deflection information listed in the adequacy flyout for beams.  The percentages that are listed really aren't any use to me, other than letting me know it passed.  I would like to see the actual deflection listed in this flyout so that I can determine for myself if a beam is acceptable.  I would also like to see the actual deflection “L” value listed as well.  I would like to see the beam reactions shown here as well.  Whenever I design a beam, I am looking at 5 issues:  does it pass in moment, shear, and deflection? what is the actual deflection?  what is the deflection “L” value?  What are the beam reactions?  Currently a user has to go to multiple forms to get this information, or use print preview which takes a relatively long time to pull up (6 to 7 seconds whereas the flyout window is almost immediate).  If this process has to be repeated multiple times with multiple beams on multiple projects, there is a lot of time that is wasted opening forms instead of analyzing beam data.

The second issue/item I have (but isn't as big an issue as the previously stated one), would be that I would like to have a total load data box.  I would like to see this in addition to the live load and dead load data boxes.  When calculating the beam loads I sometimes just deal with the total loads.  It would be nice to be able to enter the total load, then enter the value of live or dead load and have strucalc fill-in the remaining live or dead load criteria.

To sum it all up, I think strucalc is really nice program, and I think the developers did a really nice job, but I think if these two issues are addressed, it would be PERFECT for what I use it for.

Thanks for your time guys!
Brown91

Anyone checking this forum?

I  apologize for the delay in responding. The original plan with the pop up at the bottom was to incorporate more information so for the most part it wouldn't be necessary to go the the print preview.  We will hopefully add some additional info down there in a future release.

And in response to the second post, StruCalc will design an axial loaded stud wall with a perpendicular wind loading.  There is actually a video on the column page that will walk you through the features.

In the footing module you can actually just click the “=” sign in order to get it to update.

Are there plans to increase the number of spans for a continuous beam?  I have used Strucalc for several years but I am finding more instances where I need to design beams with more than three spans.

Dr. Harris,

At this time StruCalc has no plans of expanding the design modules into more than 3 spans as this particular set of modules is geared to a specific market of users. The demand for more structural engineering features is being noticed and StruCalc is looking into expanding or partnering to offer these features to it's user's in future updates. If any of these types of options are going to become available we would make sure our users knew about it well in advance. At this juncture it doesn't seem anything will happen while the 2009 IBC is in effect, so most likely not the next two years.

Todd thanks for your ideas. I am forwarding this on to the head of engineering design. He should get back to you soon on whether our software can do this.