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S T R U C T U
R A L E N G I N E E R I N G S O F T W A R
E
Design codes have become so complex
that preparing structural calculations can be a very difficult task.
Gone are the days of doing calculations entirely by hand. These
days, most structural engineers prepare calculations by a
difficult juggling act using "black box" type design
software supplemented by spreadsheets and hand calcs.
Today's structural engineers need to have a
balanced understanding of both engineering software and
engineering theory.
There is an
emerging need for engineers to automate their calculations in a
systematic way, providing output that is accessible for good
comprehension. What structural engineers really need
is an application that asks them questions
and produces output similar to hand calculations.
Something that is readable with graphics and is easy to use and
learn. Ideally, we need a method that is logical, geared toward
production and comprehension.
DCALC was written to provide structural
engineers with derivable results, allowing engineers the means to
check, modify and understand automated calculations.
DCALC
("DesignCALCs") software was
written by a practicing structural engineer as a way to automate
tedious calculations. Years in development since the late
1980's, DCALC has grown to address the relevant calculations
that structural engineers need. Each calculation has a
project behind it, and typically have been used on many
projects. Now available for Windows, DCALC
is a package of everday "hamburger" programs for getting your
calculations finished and checked on time.
DCALC has the
following new and unique features:
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DCALC
software produces calculations which you can
check. You can read the calculations complete
with sketches and understand where the numbers come
from, with fully documented code reference.
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DCALC uses an
integrated design approach. At the option of the
designer, new calculations can read a database built
of previous calculation results, thereby reducing input
errors.
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DCALC
is easy to use. All DCALC programs have a
consistent appearance and graphical interface. With DCALC,
you can get your team off the ground and running,
producing results in an organized fashion.
- DCALC produces CAD
drawings via DesignCAD, a powerful and
inexpensive CAD package. DesignCAD drawings are compatible with
other CAD packages, utilizing DWG and DXF formats. You will get a
big head start with complex details, drawn to scale, automatically
generated by your calculations.
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DCALC has flexible
input. You can choose whether or not to use certain
analysis results. You are not necessarily confined to using only
DCALC results, but can provide input from other programs as
well.
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DCALC does LRFD
Bridge Design. Bridge design programs are
able to design either way - Standard Spec Service Load, Load
Factor Design or the new LRFD Design Method. You
can easily compare results between the old Standard Specification
methods and the new LRFD method.
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DCALC explores interesting topics.
We try to cover interesting topics, like structural
dynamics and seismic design, in a straight forward ways, intended
for practicing engineers. Our online manual is a perpetual
document that we continuously edit and expand. Check out the
following:
Click here to play animated
demo (5
minutes)
For history buffs: What can structural engineers learn from the
Revolutionary War?
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