I have discussed my personal views about the programs. You should test them yourself, before deciding which program will serve your purpose best. Actual prices may vary.
We shall divide the programs in two main groups – Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering analysis programs. You must differentiate between them first. A typical civil/structural-engineering program offers beam and truss elements and sometimes plate/shell elements as well. It also often offers design features (concrete/steel/aluminum/wood) for slabs, beams, columns, trusses, footings, base plates etc. according to various country codes. It may include both static and dynamic analysis. In contrasts, a typical mechanical engineering analysis program contains a large number of element types for solid modeling. This includes brick, tetrahedral etc. elements. In addition, it also includes all the elements used in civil engineering analysis i.e. beams, plates etc. In fact, mechanical engineering programs use finite element analysis in true sense. These programs’ features include static, dynamic, thermal, multi- physics/mechanical event simulation/virtual prototyping etc. Mechanical engineering analysis programs are normally far more expensive than pure civil engineering analysis programs. Since, mechanical programs offer versatile finite element library, it is possible to solve all types of civil engineering structural analysis problems using these programs. However, there are drawbacks as well. Mechanical engineering programs do not offer concrete design facility according to country codes. They mainly concentrate on solid model analysis e.g. machine parts, rather than pure frame structures. Also, their output for frame structures is generally much less varied compared to pure civil engineering structures. So, for day to day building or industrial structure analysis, it is much better to use civil engineering analysis programs. Although some developers offer product for both civil and mechanical engineering analysis, they generally contain separate modules for specific type of analyses. I only described a brief description of the most used programs only. Note that I didn’t have the opportunity to use all the programs myself. This is because not all developers offer demo/trial version of their programs. The programs, which I have used, I presented the features available, ease of use, reliability etc. For other programs, I wrote the descriptions from product literature. I again tell you that my personal views about the programs may differ a lot from your views. So, judge them yourself before buying.
Civil Engineering programs
Program name: Visual Analysis, Visual Design, Visual Tools etc. Developer: Integrated Engineering Software
Website: www.iesweb.com
Description: 3D frame and 2D plate, P-delta analysis, response spectra dynamic analysis, concrete/steel/wood/aluminum design as per US codes.
Price: USD 700 – 1,500 (Student version USD 50 only!) Demo: 30-day trial full version CD available
My comment: An excellent program for frame and plate analysis. Simple to use and very user-friendly. Student version has no node or member size limitation! Has excellent customer support.
Program name: SAP2000 Standard/Plus/Non-linear Developer: Computer and Structures Inc.
Website: www.csiberkeley.com
Description (for non-linear version): Static, Dynamic Response Spectrum, Time History, Bridge and Dynamic Nonlinear Time History Analysis with frame, shell, solid, asolid and non-linear link (as external Damping, Base Isolators, Gap and Hook) elements. Concrete and steel design as per ACI, AASTHO, Canadian, British and Euro codes. Its predecessor SAP90 is still used for educational purposes.
Price: USD 5,000 – 7,000
Demo: 30-node demo CD available
My comment: Good overall general-purpose static/dynamic structural analysis program. Easy to use. However, non-linear analysis options are difficult to comprehend. Also, solid elements can’t be drawn graphically.
Program name: Spacegass
Developer: Integrated Technical Software Website: www.spacegass.com
Description: Frame analysis only – beam, truss, grillage and cable etc., non- linear dynamic and concrete/steel design. Supports Australian, British, Euro and US code.
Price: USD 1,000
Demo: 30-day full version copy can be downloaded from net. File size 6 MB. My comment: Good program for frame analysis. However, graphics should have been better. It shows different sections in various colors, which makes geometry creation easier. Some dialog boxes offer too many options. Data can be entered conveniently by on screen as well as using spreadsheet like format.
Program name: RISA
Developer: Risa Technology Website: www.risatech.com
Description: 3D-frame and 2D-plate analysis program. Price: Not known
Demo: 150-node 150-member demo can be downloaded from net. File size around 6 MB including tutorial.
My comment: Graphics should be better.
Program name: STAAD Pro/ Fabricad/ FEMkit etc.
Developer: Research Engineers Inc. (recently re-named as Netguru Inc.) Website: www.reiworld.com
Description: Frame and finite element analysis, dynamic and non-linear analysis, design of piles, retaining wall, bolt groups, pre-stress concrete, as per US, Indian, Canadian, Japanese, Chinese, European etc. codes.
Price: USD 5,000 – 6,000/ INR 75,000 – 150,000 Demo: 6-member demo CD available.
My comment: Overloaded with many features but I found quite difficult to use. Program’s help files are not very comprehensive. Demo version is ridiculously limited to do anything good.
Program name: STRAP Developer: ATIR
Website: www.atir.com
Description: 3D-frame and plate/shell static/dynamic analysis program. Concrete and steel design according to European, Indian, Canadian, British and US code. Separate bridge and foundation design modules are available.
Price: USD 4,000 – 4,500/ INR 75,000 – 150,000 (full capacity student version INR 25,000)
Demo: 12-node demo CD available.
My comment: Interface is somewhat complex. Its model wizard can generate various types of structures easily. Design feature is quite good. Due to node size limitation, I couldn’t test it extensively.
Program name: GT-STRUDL
Developer: Georgia Institute of Technology Website: www.gtstrudl.gatech.edu/gtstrudl
Description: 3D frame, plate, non-linear dynamic, finite element analysis etc. Price: USD 2,000 – 12,500/ INR 60,000 – 80,000
Demo: 50-node 200-member Student version CD available My comment: Somewhat complicated to use.
Developer: SAFI Website: www.safi.com
Description: Frame, plate/shell linear/non-linear static and dynamic analysis. Price: Not known
Demo: 50-node 50-member demo can be downloaded from web site. My comment: I didn’t use it.
Program name: Robot
Developer: Integrated Structural Software
Website: www.robot-structures.comhttp://www.autofea.com/
Description: Frame, truss, cable, plate, shell, grillage non-linear static/dynamic analysis, concrete/steel design.
Price: Not known
Demo: 25-member demo CD available. My comment: I didn’t use it.
Program name: AxisVM Developer: Inter CAD Website: www.axisvm.com
Description: Performs static, vibration and buckling analysis on any combination of truss, beam, rib, membrane, plate, and shell 3D structures, gap and spring elements for nonlinear support modeling. Supports Eurocode.
Price: USD 800 – 2,000
Demo: 30-beam/truss, 100-surface element version can be downloaded from the net. File size around 5 MB.
My comment: Graphics is good, but has too many dialog boxes for model creation. Some common commands are difficult to find.
Program name: ETABS
Developer: Computers and Structures Inc. Website: www.csiberkeley.com
Description: Specific program for building frame analysis. Similar to SAP2000 in features – static & dynamic analyses – automatic load distribution to members, steel, concrete design and optimization, non-linear pushover analysis, US and Euro codes.
Price: Not known Demo: Not offered
My comment: User friendliness is similar to that of SAP2000. Unless your design job involves only multistory building frames, it is better to use SAP2000, which is more versatile.
Developer: Diana Analysis bv
Website: www.diana.nl
Description: finite element analysis – static/dynamic, soil/concrete, solid modeling, pre-stress, mobile loads, modeling of embedded reinforcement in concrete, bridge, dam, offshore structure design. Various separate design/analysis modules are available. Available on Unix as well.
Price: Not known Demo: Not offered
My comment: I didn’t use it.
Mechanical Engineering programs
Program name: FEMAP
Developer: Enterprise Software Products Inc., Structural Dynamic Research Corporation
Website: www.femap.com
Description: Finite element pre and post processor only. Does not analyze anything by itself.
Price: USD 3,500 – 5,000
Demo: 300-node demo CD available (30-day trial full version available in North America only) with m-tab (www.sai-mtab.com) stress for analysis.
My comment: Draws models, creates mesh and import/export models from/to 20 different finite element analysis programs’ formats. Has many advanced options but difficult to use. Sometimes cannot translate models successfully to some specific formats. FEMAP is sometimes bundled with other finite element analysis programs.
Program name: NISA
Developer: Engineering Mechanics Research Corporation Website: www.emrc.com
Description: Finite element analysis Price: Not known
Demo: Available from net, but not clear what file to download. My comment: I didn’t use it.
Program name: ALGOR Developer: Algor Inc. Website: www.algor.com
prototyping. Incorporates beam, truss, plate, 2D, membrane, brick, contact, gap, laminar, composite, sandwich, tetrahedral etc. elements. Can import model from varieties of CAD programs. Separate modules are available for CAD integration, heat, electricity, fluid flow, pipe stress etc. analysis.
Price: USD 2,000 – 18,000
Demo: 30-day trial full version CD available.
My comment: Very powerful programs containing lots of features, but advanced options are difficult to use without training. Good buy if you analyze complex finite element models often. To use this program to its full extent, you should have good knowledge of finite element theory.
Program name: Cosmos/Design Star/Geo Star/N Star etc. Developer: Structural Research & Analysis Corp.
Website: www.cosmosm.com
Description: Analyzes solid by finite element method; linear stress analysis, dynamic analysis, buckling, heat transfer, can import model from a variety of CAD programs. Separate modules are available for non-linear static/dynamic analysis, fatigue, optimization, fluid flow and electro-magnetism.
Price: USD 5,000 – 20,000
Demo: 30-day trial program can be downloaded from net. File size 55 MB. Trial CD also available.
My comment: Excellent FEA program. Easy to use. Uses special Fast FE solver, which is many times faster than common FEA solver. Can’t create model by itself (GeoStar is required to create models, Nstar for non-linear analysis), but can import model from a variety of CAD programs. Graphics is also very good. Help system is comprehensive. However, Design Star analyzes 3D solid models only and does not have beam/truss elements.
Program name: ABAQUS Developer: HKS
Website: www.hks.com
Description: Non-linear/dynamic finite element analysis for mechanical, civil, structural, biomedical etc. Various other modules are available for wave propagation, heat, offshore design, CAD/CAE integration.
Price: Not known Demo: Not offered.
My comment: I didn’t use it. Program name: Ansys
Description: Finite element analysis. Various other separate analysis/design modules are available for structural, mechanical, multi-physics, thermal, fluid flow, acoustic, electro-magnetism etc.
Price: Not known Demo: Not offered.
My comment: I didn’t use it. Program name: ADAMS
Developer: Mechanical Dynamics Inc. Website: www.adams.com
Description: Analysis and virtual prototyping (mechanical event simulation) of mechanical systems. Separate modules are available for linear, car, engine, tyre, rail, hydraulics, mechanism etc.
Price: Not known Demo: Not offered.
My comment: Finite element application for mechanical engineering. Versatile program but complex. To use this program to its full extent, you should have good knowledge of mechanics and finite element theory. With Adams, you can create a whole model of virtually anything – a sports car to a railway locomotive with all engineering details and they you can analyze it! You can even simulate it! It’s a really wonderful program! Like a video game, you can drive a car here and can refine analysis at every stage! Besides this, Adams has all other features of a typical FEA program. These programs will drive you mad!
Program name: Nastran
Developer: Macro Industries/NASA Website: www.nastran.com
Description: Finite element analysis of frame, plate, shell, solid, shear panel, fluid etc.
Price: USD 2,750
Demo: Version 1.0 is available for downloading. File size 12 MB. My comment: I didn’t use it.
Program name: Patran
Developer: Mechanical Solutions
Website: www.mechsolutions.com/products/patran
Description: Finite element analyses, can read/write to various other FEA programs’ formats, various modules are available separately.
Price: Not known Demo: Not offered.
Program name: Adina
Developer: Adina R & D Inc. Website: www.adina.com
Description: Finite element analysis of solid, fluid flow etc. Price: Not known
Demo: Not offered
My comment: I didn’t use it. Program name: I-DEAS
Developer: Structural Dynamics Research Corporation Website: www.i-deas.com
Description: Integrated CAD/CAM/CAE Finite element analysis. Mechanical event simulation – virtual prototyping etc.
Price: Not known Demo: Not offered
My comment: I didn’t use it. Program name: JL Analyzer Developer: AutoFEA Inc.
Website: www.autofea.comhttp://www.autofea.com/
Description: Static, buckling, frequency, dynamic, spectrum, thermal, electric, seepage and nonlinear static FE analyses.
Price: USD 285 – 5,000 (depending on node capacity) Demo: 300-node demo can be downloaded from net. My comment: Complicated to use.
Some CAD programs…
Some developers provide feature-limited demo. See their web site for details. Program name: AutoCAD/ Mechanical Desktop
Website: www.autodesk.com Program name: Solid Edge Website: www.solid-edge.com Program name: Solid Works Website: www.solidworks.com
Program name: Turbo CAD Website: www.turbocad.com
Prices in INR are shown only for those companies, which have dealer/ representative in India and you can buy the product in Indian currency. Some companies sell their full capacity student version at reduced cost, but that version cannot be used commercially. Some developers do offer university license at very nominal cost.
A useful point on downloading large files from the Internet. Use a download utility program such as Go!Zilla (www.gozilla.com) or something else, which can resume broken download from where it left. Also, it can be set to disconnect from Internet automatically after downloading is complete.
42. How to select the most appropriate program for your need?