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When you look at the design firms, you will see numerous structural analysis and design software are in use. If you are a designer having hands on experience in few of them, please answer whether is it easy to use them when you are familiar with a good software like SAP or STAAD?
A software is just a tood to save your time in analyzing complex structures having different types of Loads and combinations. So if you have got your basics right in the first place and can interpret your software results effectively, i dont think there is anything stopping you. So any other software comes along your way, u will be albe to learn it up easliy and start using it and lessen your efforts.
Yes, it is easy. All design software(s) have one thing in common, i.e., the execution starts with modelling, then loading, then analysis, and finally design.
In Modelling a structure, you must be familiar with the coordinate system. Connectivity of nodes just follows.
In Loading, you must be familiar with codes like ASCE if you are using American code, BS if you are using British Standards, Eurocode1 if you are using Eurocode. In applying loads, you must be familiar with Global and Local Axes.
In Analysis, you must have a thorough knowledge in Theory of Structures and be familiar with analyses like P-Delta Analysis, Linear and Non-linear Analysis, Dynamic Analysis, Time History Analysis, Response Spectrum Analysis, sort of that.
In Design, you must be familiar with Design Codes. For Concrete Design, use ACI Code for American standards, BS for British Standards, Eurocode2 if you are using Eurocode. For Design of Steel Structures, use BS British Standards, use Eurocode3 if you are using Eurocode, and for American Standards, use AISC (9th Edition) for WSD and LRFD if you are considering strength limit state design.
yes, it's easy because most of design software works in a simillar way , may differ only in tools,commands and interfaces work ,so if you master one software you can easly reach up to your desired level mastery
It is easy, yes. Most structural analysis and design softwares have similar and user-friendly interfaces, and similar modelling steps.
Generally, if you understand the behaviour of the structure you're modelling, you've already accomplished the hard part; since modelling is 90% understanding how the structure works.
Basically, they follow nearly the same concept in undertaking the analysis process. However, learning each is anoher issue since they may have quite different interfaces, commands, tools, etc.
Albeit I believe if you learn those CSi softwares, you'll definitely own the advantage of learning other softwares as well.
Indeed. the interfaces of the different softwares may be not typically similar, but almost have the same basics.
Most structural softwares are easy to learn and apply and the most difficult down there is about the analysis such as proper loadings, whcih standards, interpretation of the structure and etc.
Believe that being familiar with software is an important tool into your performance but the most important to be aware about the behavior of structure to judge the results will be extracted form any FE models
Just understand the basic underlaying concepts of solid mechanics and strength of materials along with related theories associated with it. Tools are meant to utilze those theories in practise . one can learn all tools within days by going through the functions in it . the functions may be arranged in differnt position but the workflow and process remains the same
The answer is "Yes", simply because you are putting your concepts into the software and it's just a facilitating tool to save time. If you master one software say STAAD. PRO, it will make your journey easy to explore other tools and you will pick quickly through simple tutorials for understanding commands. But, if concepts are weak, any tools will do nothing but mislead you.
Hope my answer serves the purpose -
Regards,
