Overview

UPDATED FOR TURBOCAD 2022

The Beam Analysis Tool provides a complete analysis of deflection and stresses caused by direct forces on simply supported beams. Its intuitive interface enables immediate productivity, while more advanced features allow great flexibility in problem definition.

As a plug-in, available for TurboCAD Pro and Platinum version 2015 to 2022, the Beam Analysis Tool facilitates best practices by saving the beam information and all analysis diagrams directly in the drawing file, alongside the beam. This is useful for collaboration, and also saves a great deal of time when plans change and analyses need to be updated. Further collaboration is supported by options to save beam analyses as XML files, or to publish configuration details and all diagrams as HTML files to post on an intranet or extranet.

The Beam Analysis Tool is specifically designed for use by structural, mechanical, and civil engineers; architectural designers; designer/builders; general contractors; municipal planning departments; and students.

WHY CHOOSE BEAM ANALYSIS TOOL?

• Provides fast, accurate calculations - beams, supports and loads are easy to define and revise, allowing for quick what-if analyses to find the right beam and support combination.

• Encourages best practices - beam analysis information is saved with the plan drawings, making critical load, support, and beam information available to all who need it. Information may also be shared without sending the complete drawing file by using HTML or XML formats.
  

• Simplifies analysis configuration - tabs allow for quick updates to units, loads, sections, supports, or diagram types.
  

• Speeds the learning process - Windows-style interface with tabs, selection buttons, drop downs, and easily modified parameters are well organized, with user-friendly graphical feedback.
  

• Facilitates change management - beam configuration can be reloaded from within the drawing when revisions are needed, so there is no searching for the previous data and no starting over from scratch.
  

• Accelerates ROI - time to productivity is minimal, producing quick return on investment.
  
  

 

Features

The Beam Analysis Tool opens in its own window within the CAD application. The default settings use imperial units with a beam that is a W_10x19 Wide Flange Steel Section, 30 feet in length, with a 100 pound point load in the middle. It has a Fixed End support on the left and a Roller support on the right. From there you can change the length of the beam, add supports and loads (including torsion), and see all effects.

Details about Beam Analysis Tool.

DIAGRAM OUTPUT

• Adding beam weight is optional for analysis and diagrams
• Support indicator size can be modified in the drawing
• Load display colors can be individually selected for presentation
• Easily change the size of diagrams and beam details for presentation in the drawing
• Full analysis output may be saved to an HTML file.
• Full details may be saved to an XML file for opening in any other instance of the IDX Beam Analysis Tool
• Eight diagram types are available in the CAD drawing file:

BEAM CROSS SECTIONS

• 150 standard W-steel section types
• 31 standard S-steel section types
• 29 standard C-steel section types
• Create a cross section from a standard profile
• Seven basic profiles as starting points
• Up to 9 dimensional parameters for defining cross sections from standard profiles, including Isosceles Trapezoid (US, Trapezium UK), Hexagon, Ellipse, Hollow Ellipse, Tapered Channel, Tapered I-Beam, and Tapered T-Beam
• Application calculates section parameters from input values
• Define a custom cross section based on chosen parameters
• Moment of inertia
• Polar moment of inertia
• Section modulus
• Polar section modulus
• Section area
  

UNIVERSAL UNITS CONFIGURATION

• Mix and match imperial and/or metric as needed
• Force types include Newton, pound, and kilograms
• Axial units for length of beam and location of loads and supports include inches, feet, and meters
• Transverse units for beam cross-section definition in inches, millimeters, and centimeters
• Angle units include degrees and radians

Requirements

The Beam Analysis Tool requiries a licensed copy of the TURBOCAD running on its supported operating system.  This includes TurboCAD Pro and Platinum versions 2015, 2016, 2017,2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022.

The Beam Analysis Tool requires an additional 14MB free disk space. 

64-bit System Requirements
Microsoft® Windows 10, 8 & 7 - 2GB RAM.

NOTE:  Windows RT technology for use on tablets is not supported.