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Cut your project timelines by keeping simple designs in-house. ClearCalcs helps you eliminate repetitive calculations with our time-saving calculators, easy-to-use interface, and online access you can take anywhere.  

Residential

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[SMARTBuild Engineering](https://www.linkedin.com/company/smartbuild-engineering-pty-ltd/), founded by [Sameer Ramgoolam](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sameerramgoolam/), is at the forefront of sustainable building and social housing design. The company uses an innovative approach that combines cutting-edge technology with eco-friendly materials like Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) and Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT). 

In this case study, we had the opportunity to sit down with Sameer and discuss how ClearCalcs has become an instrumental part of his toolkit for driving change in the construction industry.

## About the company

Sameer is originally from South Africa. He has three postgraduate qualifications: a national diploma and a Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering. With nearly thirty years of engineering experience, he has worked with [Vela VKE (now merged with SMEC)](https://www.waterpowermagazine.com/news/newsvela-vke-joins-the-smec-group) in building design and [Transnet](https://www.transnet.net/Pages/Home.aspx), a South African rail, port, and pipeline company, where he worked in the port engineering division.

Upon moving to Australia, Sameer completed a Master's degree in Civil Engineering and secured professional registration with the [Building Licensing Authority (BLA)](https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/about-us/statutory-bodies-and-committees/business-licensing-authority). This registration is crucial as it authorizes him to sign off on designs and certifications, ensuring compliance with the [National Construction Code (NCC)](https://clearcalcs.com/blog/ncc-2022) and other relevant Australian Standards.

Sameer also holds registrations that allow him to operate across various Australian states. These include signing Form 15 in Queensland and similar certifications in Tasmania.

Sameer’s deep understanding of structural engineering and commitment to eco-friendly practices led him to establish SMARTBuild Engineering in 2017, which has been running successfully for six years. 

“We do predominantly building design. Specifically, we do sustainable engineering design—using sustainable and renewable products and looking at the whole life cycle assessment of the project”, explained Sameer.

![smart-build-engineering-SIPs-modular.jpg](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/smart_build_engineering_SI_Ps_modular_8551462aec.jpg)
_Image 1: An example of a residential building with modular SIPs construction (Reference: SMARTBuild Engineering Pty Ltd)_

“We've done a lot of projects—passive house designs and 7-star energy-efficient homes using Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs). Now, I want to explore using cross-laminated timber for the same purpose.” 

## The challenge

Serving a clientele base consisting of architects and architectural firms, as well as product suppliers and manufacturers within the construction industry, Sameer handles between 10 to 20 projects annually, each bespoke and tailored to the unique requirements of his clients.

With his business emphasizing sustainability, Sameer aims to reduce carbon footprints by advocating for timber over steel and minimizing the use of concrete in his projects. 

In addition to sustainable engineering design, Sameer believes in aligning his business practices to the shift of Construction 4.0 - this means utilizing digital technologies to optimize his engineering design and off-site prefabrication to improve the construction supply chain.

“I strongly support off-site prefabrication, especially for rapid construction to meet Victoria's social housing needs.” 

Based on his strong finite element analysis and structural simulation background, Sameer initially used [SOFiSTiK](https://www.sofistik.com/en/), a high-end FEA analysis package well known for its bridge engineering design. 

As he grew his business in Australia, serving clients to design [Class 1 and Class 1a buildings](https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/editions/ncc-2022/adopted/volume-one/a-governing-requirements/part-a6-building-classification#:~:text=(1)%20A%20Class%201%20building,A%20detached%20house.), Sameer searched for a more straightforward beam and column design solution that complied with Australian standards.

“What I really liked about ClearCalcs is its simplicity. It's simple and easy to use, and the output is also very, very clear. You can see all of the output results for enveloped bending moment, shear, and deflection.”

### Rapid preliminary design assessments for beams and columns

Sameer currently integrates ClearCalcs into his overall toolkit for efficient engineering design. 

“So there is a hierarchy of software that I use. I have ClearCalcs for very quick and fast design to see whether something works or doesn't work. Then I got Robot Structural Analysis Professional, an AutoDesk product, and Ansys Composite PrepPost for layered composite analysis”.

Sameer’s engineering design workflow usually begins when he receives a drawing plan. He initially reviews the provided architectural plans or preliminary drawings, focusing on crucial aspects such as spans, load widths, and overall design intent.

![smart-build-engineering-structural-elements.jpg](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/smart_build_engineering_structural_elements_c71f36470e.jpg)
_Image 2: An example of beam and column elements in Sameer’s projects (Reference: SMARTBuild Engineering Pty Ltd)_

Using ClearCalcs, he inputs critical parameters into the software to instantly calculate the performance of beams and columns under various loads. This rapid assessment allows him to determine the feasibility of structural elements and make informed decisions about material selection and design approaches.

![smart-build-engineering-clearcalcs.jpg](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/smart_build_engineering_clearcalcs_bf4c933838.jpg)
_Image 3: ClearCalcs easy-to-use [timber beam](https://clearcalcs.com/calculations/timberComplexBeam) and [column](https://clearcalcs.com/calculations/timberColumnAS1720.1-2010) calculator interface allows Sameer to quickly check whether his selected structural members are passing or not during the design process (Reference: SMARTBuild Engineering Pty Ltd)_

“This [ClearCalcs] works fantastic because to do this manually will take too long. And we want to have very, very quick results to see whether it works or doesn’t work - especially when we're doing preliminary sizing or costing to give the suppliers to say, can this work or not? We just want a yes or no answer.”

Sameer then transitions to advanced analysis software such as Robot Structural Analysis Professional or ANSYS for more complex structures or when further refinement is needed. 

Concurrently with the design process, Sameer also develops a detailed 3D model of the structure. This model helps visualize the project, coordinate with architectural elements, and identify potential issues early in the design phase.

### Clear calculation output and customizable structural reporting 

Once Sameer finalizes his design, he uses ClearCalcs' [reporting feature](https://clearcalcs.com/features/structural-report) to generate the structural computation reports.

According to Sameer, ClearCalcs’ export or print feature is particularly valuable because it provides clear and detailed results for the structural elements he designs. This clarity is crucial when he compiles the computation report, a mandatory part of Victoria's Regulation 126 Certification process. 

“ClearCalcs gives a choice of one-page or detailed reports, which I quite like. I can easily merge them into my main report.”

### A single tool for multiple building codes and standards

Due to his work with SIPs suppliers and manufacturers worldwide, one key feature of ClearCalcs that Sameer enjoys is the ability to select different design codes within ClearCalcs, which enables Sameer to adapt his work to local regulations seamlessly.

![smart-build-engineering-barwonheads.jpg](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/smart_build_engineering_barwonheads_46c7276dc5.jpg)
_Image 4: An example of a design project involving SIPs and Glulam materials from different countries (Reference: SMARTBuild Engineering Pty Ltd)_

“So if I'm looking for LVL or glulam, it might come from Germany. If I'm looking for spruce-pine-fir (SPF), which comes from North America, I'll have to design according to the [CSA 086](https://clearcalcs.com/calculations/timberBeamCA), which is a Canadian code. I have to use [Eurocode 5](https://clearcalcs.com/calculations/EUtimberCustomComplexBeam) if it's coming from Europe, and if I have to use anything local here like [VicBeam](https://vicbeam.com.au/), I’ll use the Australian codes.”

“One project will have three different codes depending on what materials are being used,” added Sameer.

## Conclusion

For Sameer, a good day for him as an engineer means achieving specific milestones and successfully solving complex problems within his projects.

“Since I'm the only one in the business, I do the business development, I do the marketing, I do the execution of the projects as well. For the most part, one of the questions I did have was how I spend my time during the day and how I split it on any project?”

Sameer’s use of ClearCalcs has significantly streamlined his workflow. ClearCalcs’ user-friendly interface and ability to quickly assess designs against various international standards have made it an indispensable tool in Sameer's engineering toolkit. 

_Ready to experience the benefits of ClearCalcs for yourself? [Take the leap and try it today](https://clearcalcs.com/signup) to streamline your structural engineering workflow, gain valuable insights, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with having a reliable and user-friendly tool at your fingertips._

Discover how SMARTBuild Engineering is leading sustainable building and social housing design with a forward-thinking approach that combines cutting-edge technology with eco-friendly materials like Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) and Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT). 

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Perform fast, intuitive engineering calculations without labouring over hand calculations or firing up clunky FEA software. Easily collaborate on projects with with all your work automatically saved to our secure cloud server. Have some custom designs stuck in spreadsheets? We can even help you convert them to leverage the power of ClearCalcs and keep everything in one place.

Industrial

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In an era where rapid technology advancement is the norm, [MAFI Group](https://www.mafigroup.com/) and ClearCalcs have joined forces to revolutionize the telecommunications and solar industries. 

The partnership brings together [MAFI's globally recognized mounting solutions](https://www.mafigroup.com/telecom/) and ClearCalcs' innovative online engineering calculator platform, creating an unparalleled tool that ensures efficiency, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness for engineers and manufacturers alike.

## About MAFI Group

MAFI Group is a globally recognized company specializing in designing, developing, and manufacturing mounting solutions for the telecom industry. With a strong focus on providing reliable and efficient solutions, MAFI Group has established itself as a trusted partner within the telecommunications sector, supporting a diverse range of customers like major operators such as Vodafone, as well as telecom equipment manufacturers like Ericsson, Huawei, and Nokia.

Their services also extend to tower companies, turnkey contractors, sub-contractors such as design companies, and installation professionals involved in design and implementation work. 

### MAFI Mounts: An Integral Part of the Global 5G Rollout

MAFI mounting solutions are utilized in thousands of projects across the globe and play a critical role in the worldwide rollout of 5G technology. 

The installation of 5G technology poses unique challenges, including stringent operational and regulatory requirements, as well as the need for accurate design and engineering to ensure proper installation of equipment.

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_Figure 1: An example of MAFI mounting solutions on a site in Stockholm, Sweden_

MAFI brackets have load capacities that are determined through rigorous calculation and physical testing. These capacities account for various factors such as weight on the offset pole, rotational slip resistance, and horizontal bending.

To help customers choose a solution that works for their specific needs and scenarios, [MAFI developed ESICS – Enhanced Site Innovation Calculation System](https://www.mafigroup.com/esics/) to reduce the challenge and complexity involved in the calculation.  

ESICS,  commonly referred to as “The Bracket Checker” by MAFI customers, is the brainchild of Nigel Topp, who developed a comprehensive design spreadsheet to aid in this endeavor.

He envisioned a tool that would make it easier for MAFI clients to identify the most efficient and cost-effective mounting solutions for their projects. However, a constantly evolving spreadsheet isn’t really suited to being an up-to-date tool for hundreds of clients - it was time to create an app that could live on MAFI’s website.

In looking for a development partner, Nigel had two specific requirements - he wanted structural engineers, not just coders, and preferably a young, small dynamic company whose ethos would fit with MAFI’s agile outlook. 

Happily, he found ClearCalcs, a pioneer in creating an online platform for engineering calculator creation. The result was the revolutionary ESICS powered by the ClearCalcs platform, available at [esics.clearcalcs.com](https://esics.clearcalcs.com/login/organisations). 

## The ESICS Revolution

The ESICS platform's bracket checker is an exceptional tool that allows users to design MAFI brackets for their systems with ease. With this calculator, users can compute loads applied to the bracket and ensure that they do not exceed the allowable capacities. This feature gives users the confidence to choose the best solution according to their specific needs.

The calculator is compatible with multiple European countries including England, Sweden, Ireland, Scotland, Norway, and Denmark, as well as Kenya. It adheres to the Eurocode standards along with the relevant national annexes.

### User-Friendly Interface with Integrated Products Database

The platform's interface is user-friendly, allowing easy access to an extensive database of equipment, pole sizes and [MAFI mounting solutions](https://www.mafigroup.com/products/), that makes it seamless for users to select and check the bracket capacities based on their project specifications.

![[CASE STUDY] MAFI-product-list.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/CASE_STUDY_MAFI_product_list_a52f315a0f.png)
_Figure 2: The ESICS bracket checker comes integrated with an extensive database of MAFI mounting solutions and automatically checks for load capacities._

### Built-In Complex Analysis for Wind Force Calculations

ESICS deliberately [calculates the wind forces on the entire bracket system](https://support.clearcalcs.com/article/232-esics-wind-calculations) by verifying hundreds of parameters, including the influence of shoreline, topographic features (orography) and terrain category in all directions, considering the equipment orientation.

Ultimately, the solution assesses MAFI mounts capacity utilization and structural checks for the user. The calculator displays a simple color-coded utilization check to determine if the number of brackets used is enough for the proposed design. Users can also check the torque and horizontal bending capacity of offset and main parent poles.

![[CASE STUDY] MAFI-calculation-summary.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/CASE_STUDY_MAFI_calculation_summary_4f672245a5.png)
_Figure 3: Color-coded summary helps users to quickly assess the capacity and structural integrity of MAFI products they use._

### Unparalleled Customer Service

This robust solution set is unrivaled in the telecom mounting solutions industry. In addition to helping customers analyze the capacity of MAFI products with ease, the platform is also enhanced with tooltips and embedded guides that help users navigate and use the calculator. 

![[CASE STUDY] MAFI-support.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/CASE_STUDY_MAFI_support_90f098cf0e.png)
_Figure 4: Tooltips and guides help the MAFI bracket checker users navigate and use the calculator intuitively._

The platform also supports the rollout of calculators for MAFI's innovative freestander solution, a boon for scenarios where conventional mounting options are unavailable. 

The ESICS platform, bolstered by ClearCalcs' calculators, ensures that MAFI continues to provide the best mounting solutions paired with the best software in the industry.

## The Power of Partnership

The collaboration between MAFI and ClearCalcs has resulted in more than just a product – it's a testament to the power of partnership in fostering innovation.

What sets MAFI Group apart from its competitors is their unwavering commitment to providing exceptional customer experiences. MAFI goes the extra mile by offering steelwork kits that not only excel in quality but also prioritize ease of installation. MAFI also provides customers with a comprehensive performance data handbook, empowering them with crucial information for seamless integration.

ClearCalcs, on the other hand, brings cutting-edge capabilities to the table, enhancing MAFI's value proposition significantly. With ESICS, customers can automatically calculate precise wind pressures tailored to specific addresses in the UK, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. These calculations adhere to each country's wind code, ensuring that the steelwork kits are engineered to withstand the unique environmental challenges of different regions. 

This collaboration has effectively streamlined the design and planning process, saving valuable time and resources for both MAFI and their customers.

### Industry Recognition

The ESICS tool has received recognition from world-leading wind engineering, climate, and specialist environmental consultancy firm [RWDI](https://rwdi.com/en_ca/), which praised its ease of use, speed, and accuracy in calculating Eurocode wind loads.  

RWDI has since incorporated ESICS into their own code-based assessments, further testament to the tool's effectiveness and reliability.

John Kilpatric, Practice Area Leader of Wind Loading at RDI said, "recently, RWDI was asked to act as checking engineer for the new ESICS wind loading calculator developed by MAFI Group. We were pleased by how easy and intuitive it was to use the tool. Furthermore, we were impressed by how quickly the tool allowed an accurate and comprehensive calculation of the Eurocode wind loads to be undertaken. Following our review of the ESICS wind loading calculator, we have started to use it internally, as a trusted tool, for our own code-based assessments.”

## Conclusion

The partnership between MAFI and ClearCalcs demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to addressing the unique challenges of the telecom and solar industries. 

By leveraging the power of the ESICS powered by ClearCalcs platform, MAFI reaffirms its commitment to providing innovative and efficient solutions, underscoring its position as a global leader in the design and development of mounting solutions.

This case study serves as a call to action for other manufacturers to embrace such partnerships, utilizing platforms like ClearCalcs to accelerate innovation, reduce costs, and improve the quality of their services. In a rapidly evolving world, collaboration is not just beneficial – it is essential.

"We couldn't be more pleased to have found such a forward-thinking and collaboration-focused partner than MAFI. It's rare to find partners with such a clear vision for what they want to achieve, let alone the organizational culture to deliver it, and we've found that in MAFI. Our team regularly reflects with wonder that through MAFI's work in telecom and solar, we get to play a small part in connecting and powering tens of thousands of people across the globe. It's a testament to the power of collaboration, and we hope to measure all new partners by the high standard MAFI set.", said Chris Borzillo, CEO & Co-founder, ClearCalcs 

“Frankly, I would prefer it if ClearCalcs was kept secret,” said Nigel Topp, creator of the ESICS suite of structural calculation tools for MAFI. 

“They’ve delivered a beautifully presented suite of tools that gives us a huge advantage when it comes to the level of service we offer with our products. Customers have access to instant verification of their choice of structural support, with highly detailed calculation output. The live dashboard ClearCalcs created for us allows us to see the rapidly increasing uptake of the tools by customers and helps us target our sales effort. ClearCalcs has proved to be a superb partner, with deep knowledge of structural engineering and is a delight to work with. But don’t tell anyone.”

Learn more about how ClearCalcs can help your business innovate and evolve. [Reach out to us today!](https://clearcalcs.com/persona/partnerships)

MAFI Group partners with ClearCalcs in a revolutionary leap to offer intuitive and easy-to-use telecom mounting solutions to their customers.

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Supercharge your commercial design workflow with ClearCalcs’ fast and friend engineering calculations. Take advantage of time-saving tools such as dynamic load path tracking and material swap features. With ClearCalcs, you can quickly design and analyze beams, columns, frames, retaining walls, and more – all from a single platform.

Commercial

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Many years ago, building designer Richard Vezie decided that he needed to take personal responsibility for his life and choices to succeed in his business. We discussed how focusing on what he enjoys and is good at while being curious to learn more about his work and himself resonates with how he uses ClearCalcs in his design practice.

## About Richard Vezie & Associates

Talking about his early career, Richard officially started his construction career in 1970 with a four-year carpentry apprenticeship. 

“Most of my early work was in commercial construction. Then, in 1978, I became a general contractor, mostly designing and building for [residential](https://clearcalcs.com/use-case/residential-design) and light commercial projects.”

“As a carpenter, I've worked on everything from bridges and large commercial or industrial buildings to homes and small remodel projects. As a [building designer](https://clearcalcs.com/persona/building-designer), I've designed numerous light commercial projects, homes, additions, and remodels,” added Richard.

According to Richard, since he especially enjoyed the design aspect of his work, he slowly began an effort to do design exclusively. 

Richard then started his design practice, Richard Vezie & Associates, in 1988, and he now works exclusively in Southern Oregon in the USA, with his office in Ashland, Oregon.

“While I've had employees in the past, I am now a sole proprietor of my business. I do everything having to do with my business. Wearing many hats keeps it interesting.”

“My clients are usually private parties (home or building owners) and building contractors.”

Richard’s top business priority is to provide excellent, cost-effective solutions for his clients.

“I get many strange and interesting projects. There’s something about the problem-solving I thoroughly enjoy, and the answers always seem to come.”

Richard’s vast and diverse construction experience has served him well in his business, having had his hands dirty with layout experience of some major projects during his apprenticeship and later as a journeyman carpenter and contractor.

## The Challenge

As a building designer, Richard generally works with licensed engineers when he encounters project elements beyond his capabilities or when required by the building codes. To help him in routine design work, he began computerizing his work with a CAD system in 1989, utilizing DOS-based computers.

“I started using the Boise Cascade (BC) Calc when it first appeared in the mid-90s for limited structural calculations. I still tend to use it these days for BC components.” 

“I then started using a structural design software when it first appeared in the late 90s, and I had been using it until I discovered ClearCalcs late last year.”

According to Richard, he initially enjoyed using software, especially with the integration of the load path tracking component in the software. However, since another company took over the software he was using, the support has not been the same. 

### Effective Customer Support

As a sole proprietor of his design practice, Richard needed to find structural software that is intuitive, easy to learn, and offers excellent support. 

“I searched the web off and on for months [to find the right solution]. l read lots of comments and reviewed plenty of website ads.”

“The way ClearCalcs was presented made sense to me. I knew the trial would cost me some time, but the potential seemed worth the risk. I’m glad I tried it out,” continued Richard. 

In ClearCalcs, Richard relies on a range of calculators to facilitate his work, including [wood beam](https://clearcalcs.com/calculations/timberBeamASD), [wood column](https://clearcalcs.com/calculations/timberColumnASD), and [concrete spread footing](https://clearcalcs.com/calculations/foundationsSpreadFootingUSAACI318-19) calculators. Additionally, he occasionally utilizes [steel beam](https://clearcalcs.com/calculations/steelBeamASD) and [column](https://clearcalcs.com/calculations/steelColumnASD) calculators to enhance his analysis.

The technical and overall support he received from the start convinced Richard to continue using ClearCalcs as his design software.

“Great support is essential to me, and ClearCalcs gets that. ClearCalcs has actual "people" on support staff that appear actually to give a rip about their customers,” explained Richard. 

“That's the way I try to run my business. I want to be a great value to my clients. I'm always easy for my clients and contractors to reach. I care about and usually understand what they're going through. It's a service business. I believe ClearCalcs shares those values. You folks also seem to understand that at the heart of it, you are a service business.”

### Easy of Use for Non-Engineers

Just like the previous structural design software he used, Richard relies on and greatly appreciates the seamless [load linking integration](https://clearcalcs.com/features/load-linking) that ClearCalcs offers. 

In addition, although there is room for improvement, Richard stated that ClearCalcs’s [simplified output](https://clearcalcs.com/features/structural-report) caters to the needs of structural designers structural designers who are not engineers, like himself and his clients. This simple output is particularly essential as it provides clear and concise structural plans, which play a vital role in their day-to-day work. 

“The folks in the field [who are end users of my drawing plans] don’t want a lot of stuff on my drawings that they don’t need or understand. They’re hot, dirty, tired, and just want to know what they’re supposed to do. I used to be one of them.”

“Perhaps that's why in all of these years, I've never needed to advertise. I did an analysis years ago and found that over 60% of my business was with repeat clients. All but a few of the rest have been direct referrals.” 

## How has ClearCalcs changed the way Richard operates his business?

Looking ahead, Richard is allocating more time for learning as part of the next phase of his business. To this end, Richard said the educational aspects of ClearCalcs offer great promise. 

“Over the years, working alongside structural engineers, I've gained a lot of knowledge, but there are still moments when I come across something unfamiliar. In those instances, I turn to online resources like web searches and YouTube to find helpful videos. It's amazing how much you can learn online, and I'm always eager to expand my understanding of the subject.”

Richard particularly finds ClearCalcs' [webinars](https://clearcalcs.com/webinars) to be a source of great learning and value.

“I've been at this a lot of years, you know, and, but I still enjoy learning. I'm learning from ClearCalcs and that's a good thing. Learning new things may take away from my profits, but I see it as an investment. I believe if you’re self-employed, you need to be willing to take some risks.”

“I believe as I continue to learn and as ClearCalcs continues to improve (especially with lean and mean output), it will make my business even more cost-effective and even more enjoyable.”, concludes Richard.

When asked how he would convince a friend to try ClearCalcs, Richard's response highlights the value and support that ClearCalcs offers:

"I'd say, 'Don't be stupid! Give it a shot.' With ClearCalcs, you won't be left floundering around in the structural abyss. The ClearCalcs team, led by Connor, is exceptional and always ready to assist you. They truly understand the challenges you face, and they know that any learning curve comes with a cost – your precious time, which is essentially your money. So, don't be stupid!"

_Ready to experience the benefits of ClearCalcs for yourself? [Take the leap and try it today](https://clearcalcs.com/signup) to streamline your structural engineering workflow, gain valuable insights, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with having a reliable and user-friendly tool at your fingertips._

Richard believes investing in learning is how his business grows. Here’s how ClearCalcs helps.

Steel Lintel (Angle, T-Lintel or PFC+Plate)

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# About Ward Engineering

A Civil Engineering graduate of the University of Pacific (UOP), California, Matt started his engineering firm, [Ward Engineering](https://www.wardeng.net/), in 2010 as soon as he was licensed. The company specializes in structural engineering services, [primarily for residential buildings](https://clearcalcs.com/use-case/residential-design). 

“So we do houses - beams, columns, footings, and shear walls lateral design - that’s kind of our bread and butter,” Matt explained.

“Say someone buys a five-acre lot and wants to put a house on it. They're going to need engineering calculations and the plans reviewed stamped. While we don't make the design plans so much, we come in to do the engineering for the house and do what's called a shear wall plan.”

In addition to Matt as the Principal Engineer, his company has now grown to include another two design engineers in his team.

“The first year I did work in 2010, I did one project and that was like a big deal. I was super proud. We’re now at 144 projects so far this year, and probably 300 total before the year’s end.”

# The Challenge

Matt has used [structural engineering software](https://clearcalcs.com/use-case/structural-design), Enercalc for most of his engineering calculations since 2015. A colleague recommended the alternative design software StruCalc and Matt found himself exploring a new solution. 

“I went on the web, and I was searching for StruCalc. And then I came across ClearCalcs, which I've not heard of before.”

“I saw I could do a  free trial. So I checked out the software and got really impressed.”, Matt explained.

## Flexible analysis outside conventional design

Matt added that he searched for new software because he needed to design [rafters at a pitch](https://clearcalcs.com/calculations/timberBeamASD) a few years ago.

“With Enercalc, you can only do flat beams. You can’t do pitches. So that was the only reason I was searching for anything, and I came across ClearCalcs”, Matt said.

“Anytime you're getting outside a conventional rafter design where you can use a table, you've got to do something custom. It's not accurate to model a beam in Enercalc because you’re modeling a beam that's at an angle as being flat. So being able to do this in ClearCalcs was a big deal.”

“I also found being able to specify the number of plies for your beams in ClearCalcs useful. Because sometimes you’ll have a multiplied beam, which was not a feature available in Enercalc.”

## Load linking a time-saving feature

According to Matt, while he still uses Enercalc for all his projects, there were certain things the software didn’t have, [like load linking](https://clearcalcs.com/features/load-linking). 

“The biggest thing I noticed about ClearCalcs that made me a believer was the load linking. That was a big deal because it’s something I have emailed Enercalc before saying, ‘hey, you guys should think about doing load linking’”.

About half of the work Matt and his team do are beams, columns, and footings. In residential design, you have a roof with loads on the beam, the beam has loads on the columns, and the column has loads on the footings.

“Anytime you’re manually taking reactions on them, there’s a chance you’re going to mess it up.”, Matt said.

“You're going to mess up the direction of the load. You're going to mess up the quantity of the load, whether it's roof load, dead load, or live load, and there's a chance you're going to mess up - once you go back and say the loads change on the beam and you did not go back and update that column or the footing.” 

In ClearCalcs, Matt only needs to link the load reactions between beams, columns, and footings in the same project. Anytime there is a change to any of the calculations, the reactions will be updated automatically. 

## Pre-loaded presets for beams and columns

“The other thing I like with ClearCalcs is that where in Enercalc there’s just [wood beam calculator](https://clearcalcs.com/calculations/timberBeamASD), you guys break it down to what types of beams it is.” 

For instance, in ClearCalcs, when designing a header, the calculator automatically accounts for the weight of the wall above it.

“I had designed the headers for years, but I had never considered the weight of the wall directly above it, which may be one foot or two feet. But that is something you should consider, especially if it's stucco and things like that”.

To Matt, as a designer, the feature offers him a cheat sheet and gives the default for his calculations, so there’s less time spent on his end figuring out the calculations manually. ”It makes your life easier when you’ve got the calculations broken down based on the type of beam it is. For instance, I've never had to do a rafter calculation until recently, when I had to do one for our project, and I looked through in ClearCalcs, and I'm like, oh wow, there it is right there, man.”

“It just makes my life easy. Compared to doing it manually, ClearCalcs sure saved me hours.”  

# How does ClearCalcs pave the way for Ward Engineering’s rapid growth? 

To Matt, how he views structural design software for his work is like an investment for his company’s growth.

“Yes, it costs money, but you spend money to make money, and the money you make is based on the time you're saving because you're able to get these designs done much faster.”

Reiterating his love for the presets again, Matt said: 

“I would never consider not having this level of software. [I use the presets all the time](https://clearcalcs.com/support/get-started-with-clearcalcs/how-template-presets-work), especially deck presets like deck joist and deck beam. The combination makes it easy because it asks you what the spacing is. It's like a template set up right there for you. So you do not have to reinvent the wheel.” 

When we asked Matt to describe ClearCalcs, Matt quickly complied, “I would say that ClearCalcs is a structural engineer's best friend. That's how I would put it because it makes your life easier than any other software I'm familiar with and easier means more money, easier means higher profitability”.


Matt Ward started his practice, Ward Engineering, in 2010 and has since grown his company from running his first project to 144 projects this year. We sat with Matt to discuss how ClearCalcs is essential to his company's growth and profitability. 

Pier Footing Calculator to IBC 2018

## Seismic Analysis Calculator to ASCE 7-16

>“Then the earth reeled and rocked….”

You probably have heard the saying, “Earthquakes don’t kill people, bad buildings do!” but have you given it more thought? I mean, are there “bad buildings” or are there “bad engineers”? It’s not like buildings resist seismic loads only if they feel like it! They will do so if they are properly designed. 

With that life-changing perspective in mind, this article will tell you one or two things about how “good engineers” deal with seismic forces.

### Seismic Analysis and Estimation of Seismic Forces

The estimation of seismic forces on a building is so complicated that a short article like this will barely scratch the surface. Depending on the importance of a project, you can spend countless hours refining your assumptions and methods to estimate seismic forces. 

However, it is usually not the case. More often than not, you only need a few parameters describing the geometry of the building, a choice of the lateral-loads resisting system, type of building occupation, properties of soil, and the geographical location to wrap things up with simpler methods and reliable estimations. However, before discussing them, let’s first go through some essential terminology in seismic engineering.

### Essential Terminology

Imagine that you’re having a coffee break with some structural engineers, and they start talking about seismic forces. If you don’t want to end up just nodding your head with a smile resembling that of “Hide-the-pain Harold”, these are some words and terms that you must know:

- **Seismic Analysis**: the process of analyzing structural responses against earthquakes.[ To dive deeper on what is seismic analysis, check out this resource](https://clearcalcs.com/blog/seismic-load-asce-7-16).
- **Static vs. Dynamic Seismic Analyses**: in dynamic methods, the modeling process consists of the modal properties of a structure, such as higher periods of vibration and damping. In static methods, however, the dynamic forces caused by earthquakes are translated into equivalent static forces (to simplify the lives of poor engineers, that is). The Equivalent Static Analysis method only considers the Fundamental Period of a building to estimate its response.
- **Modal Response Spectrum vs. Time-History Analyses**: these are both types of dynamic analysis. In modal analysis, you calculate the structural response for a sufficient number of vibration modes and sum them up with some statistical method. In time-history analysis, however, you use the complete numerical model of a structure (DoFs, mass, stiffness, and damping) and then solve the Equation of Motion for every time step of the input motion.
- **Linear vs. Nonlinear Seismic Analysis**: the truth is that structural responses against earthquakes almost always include some nonlinearity, i.e. displacements, velocities, or accelerations show a nonlinear variation during the seismic shocks. This should clarify that nonlinear methods are superior in accuracy and reliability. Then why do linear methods exist, you ask? Just glance at the Newton-Raphson method, and you’ll understand how much pain we have been spared if some conditions apply.
- **Seismic Hazard Analysis**: the quantitative estimation of ground motion parameters with the highest likelihood at a specific site. It can be performed in either deterministic or probabilistic frameworks. In the deterministic form, the outcome will be a set of peak response values (acceleration, velocity, or displacement) in the Worst Case Scenario. In the probabilistic form, these parameters will be represented as of probability distribution functions [2].
- **Seismic Risk Assessment**: given the results of a seismic hazard analysis, the possible damages to the built environment are evaluated [3]. This can take the form of fragility functions, which correlate the response parameters with different levels of damage.
- **Seismic Response Spectra**: the core idea is to analyze an SDOF system against an input ground motion, picking the peak value of the response and then doing the same for varying values of the fundamental period and damping. This will result in a plot that shows the peak response values as a function of the fundamental period and damping.
- **Design Response Spectrum**: let’s limit this one to what we see in ASCE 7-16 for acceleration. First, you have to obtain the Mapped Acceleration Parameters (SS and S1) from the 0.2- and 1-s spectral response accelerations ([visit the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for more info](https://doi.org/10.5066/F7NK3C76)). Given the Site Class (A, B, C, D, E, or F), you can easily find the values of Long/Short-Period Site Coefficients (Fa, Fv) in Tables 11.4-1 and 11.4-2, and then calculate S_M1=F_v S_1 and S_MS=F_a S_S . These will be the Risk Targeted Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCER) Spectral Response Acceleration Parameters. Multiply them by ⅔, and you will have SD1 and SDS, which are the design, 5% damped, spectral response acceleration parameters at periods of 1s and short periods. You now have the ingredients for a Design Response Spectrum shown below:

![calcsUS-seismic-analysis-design-response-spectrum.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_seismic_analysis_design_response_spectrum_c5287ddcf4.png)

### How to Use the ClearCalcs Seismic Analysis Software

Say you want to design a building below ca. 65 ft. of height, with insignificant irregularities in height or plan, and based on the provisions of ASCE 7-16. You’re looking for a tool that gives the seismic base shear and distribution of the lateral forces on the building. If that’s the case, ClearCalcs is a friendly and simple-to-use tool for your design problem. 

All you have to put into the calculator is the Map Data (described a bit earlier) and the key Building Properties based on ASCE7-16. 

![calcsUS-seismic-analysis-map-data.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_seismic_analysis_map_data_60fc6eae1c.png)
![calcsUS-seismic-analysis-key-building-properties.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_seismic_analysis_key_building_properties_1985589658.png)

With just a handful of inputs, you will easily have the results of the seismic load distributions handed to you:

![calcsUS-seismic-analysis-summary.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_seismic_analysis_summary_ae224ec911.png)
![calcsUS-seismic-analysis-output.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_seismic_analysis_output_c866cf8e24.png)

What if the building is more complicated than that and needs more advanced data/methods for analysis? That’s a fair point, which we are aware of and working on it. Do you know what’s super valuable here? Your feedback! Yes, we truly appreciate it if [you send us your comments](mailto:hello@clearcalcs.com) on what you would like to see in this calculator and what kind of features can make it better for you.  

### Conclusion

Analysis of seismic forces on buildings is a highly technical problem that requires expertise and reliable software solutions. Given the conditions to use the Equivalent Static Analysis method are met, the Seismic Analysis Calculator by ClearCalcs is a simple and intuitive, yet robust and useful online tool that can help you obtain the seismic base shear and the lateral distribution of seismic forces with ease and confidence. 

### References
1. ASCE/SEI 7-16: AISC Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures
2. Seismic Analysis of Structures, T. K. Datta, 2010, John Wiley & Sons (Asia) Pte Ltd., DOI:10.1002/9780470824634 
3. Basic Earthquake Engineering, H. Sucuog`lu and S. Akkar, 2014, Springer International Publishing Switzerland, DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-01026-7


Seismic Analysis

Wall Analysis (LRFD) Calculator to IBC 2009-2018, IRC 2009-2018, ASCE 7-10 & 7-16

## Foundation Design Software

Structural foundation design software is a specialized computer program that assists engineers and architects in [designing the foundations of buildings](https://clearcalcs.com/blog/structural-foundations-design-in-residential-projects-an-overview-and-design-considerations), bridges, and other structures. 

Common [types of foundation](https://clearcalcs.com/blog/types-of-foundation) that structural foundation design software can handle include spread footing, [strip or combined footing](https://clearcalcs.com/calculations/foundationsWallFootingUSAACI318-19), [pier footing](https://clearcalcs.com/calculations/foundationsPierFootingUSAACI318-190), and pile footing.

A concrete spread footing design determines the footing's size, type of concrete, and the reinforcement required to support the loads applied to the foundation. 

### Concrete Footing Design

The concrete footing design begins with an analysis of the imposed loads, including dead and live loads. Then, these values are used to determine the necessary cross-sectional area, reinforcement placement, and footing depth to safely support these loads. 

Similar to the strength of beams, the footing strength is highly dependent on the composition and strength of the concrete used. In addition, the reinforcements are used to increase the tensile strength of the footing. The design process must ensure this reinforcement's correct amount and placement to prevent cracking and failure under load.

## Concrete Footing Calculator

The user-friendly interface of the ClearCalcs concrete footing calculator simplifies difficult engineering calculations. 

Users input the concrete footing's dimensions, material attributes, loading conditions, and reinforcement information. 

![calcsUS-spread-footing-footing-properties.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_spread_footing_footing_properties_b9e2ddad7b.png)

![calcsUS-spread-footing-column-properties.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_spread_footing_column_properties_9a78d3f2cc.png)

![calcsUS-spread-footing-soil-properties.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_spread_footing_soil_properties_de312de5ff.png)

![calcsUS-spread-footing-applied-loads.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_spread_footing_applied_loads_0696eb8caf.png)
The software then employs the most recent Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete ACI 318-19 to complete the required calculations. 

The calculator's algorithms utilize variables such as the concrete's compressive strength, the steel reinforcement's tensile strength, and the footing's geometric features. 

In addition, the tool examines the load duration and type to determine the load capacity and stability of the footing. 

## Footing Size Calculator

The ClearCalcs concrete footing size calculator provides an efficient method for determining the optimal size of the concrete footing. 

The calculator allows users to input the desired load, including both live and dead loads, that the footing must support. Details such as the footing size, concrete grade, and reinforcement specifications can also be easily entered into the calculator. 

The tool then applies the principles of footing theory and design codes to determine if the selected section size satisfies the standards. Thus, it aids in determining the optimal footing size. This method incorporates safety margins per industry standards, ensuring that the footing design is robust, safe, and efficient. 

Moreover, like other calculators provided by ClearCalcs, the concrete spread footing calculator has gone through comprehensive reviews by experts and is constantly monitored for reliability and robustness.

## Footing Dimensions Calculator

The ClearCalcs calculator for concrete footing dimensions benefits engineers, architects, and construction experts. It simplifies accurately assessing the ideal measurements needed for a concrete footing. 

Users can efficiently determine suitable dimensions by entering variables like load type and weight, footing size, and concrete strength.

This leads to a footing that meets the safety and stability requirements to support the building or structure. Additionally, the calculator provides traffic light indicators for a factored moment, shear, and punching, assisting engineers in comprehending these factors. 

## Footing Load Calculation

The ClearCalcs footing load calculator is designed to establish the peak load a concrete footing can withstand prior to failing. 

It accomplishes this by calculating different reactions and load densities, thereby helping to avoid disastrous structural failures. 

## Footing Overturning Moment Calculation

The ClearCalcs concrete footing overturning moment calculator is vital for structural engineers involved in footing design. It assists in determining the maximum rotational force or overturning moment that a footing can withstand before succumbing to stress.

![calcsUS-spread-footing-overturning-moment.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_spread_footing_overturning_moment_b4af35f199.png)

This measurement plays a crucial role during the design and construction stages, ensuring the footing can handle the applied bending loads without failure.

Engineers can readily calculate the moment capacity by entering data such as the dimensions of the footing, the grade of the concrete, and the properties of the reinforcing steel. This enhances the safety and durability of construction projects while reducing potential risks. 

## Footing Rebar Calculator 

The ClearCalcs concrete footing rebar calculator is essential for engineers and builders.

It enables users to input the specific parameters of the concrete footing and provides the necessary details on the reinforcement requirements. The software then uses the latest ACI 318-19 standards in the calculation. 

![calcsUS-spread-footing-bottom-reinforcement.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_spread_footing_bottom_reinforcement_2e053ac65c.png)

With this footing rebar calculator, you can easily specify your footing bottom reinforcement. You can also specify the number of bars on the X- or Y-axis. This process ensures your concrete footing's properties are correctly defined and computed, ensuring safety and structural integrity and promoting safer construction practices. (Use Figure 3 here)

## Footing One-Way Shear Capacity Calculator

The ClearCalcs footing one-way shear capacity calculator is a specialized tool designed to aid engineers in computing the one-way shear capacity of a concrete spread footing. 

In general, this parameter is of utmost importance to ensure the safety and stability of the structure.

One-way shear occurs when the footing's depth is significantly greater than its width. This results in the load primarily being transferred along one axis, leading to potential shear failures if not adequately designed and reinforced. 

The shear capacity of a footing is the maximum shear force it can handle before failing, which should always be greater than the shear force exerted by the load on the footing. 

In compliance with the ACI 318-19 standards, the Clearcalcs Spread Footing Calculator performs the necessary calculations, considering various factors such as the concrete's compressive strength, the tensile strength of the steel reinforcement, and the footing's geometric properties. 

![calcsUS-spread-footing-one-way-shear.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_spread_footing_one_way_shear_f020d69405.png)

Moreover, this tool integrates load reactions between the footing and column designs, allowing engineers to easily link and check their design for adequacy. 

## Footing Two-Way Punching Shear Capacity Calculator

The ClearCalcs footing two-way punching shear capacity calculator is designed to assist in determining the two-way punching shear capacity of a concrete spread footing. 

This crucial calculation forms an integral part of the concrete foundation design process and helps ensure the safety and stability of the overall structure. 

Two-way or punching shear typically occurs in relatively flat slabs or footings, where the load is almost evenly distributed along two axes, leading to a potential punching shear failure if the footing is not adequately designed and reinforced. 

Punching shear failure can be catastrophic as it can cause sudden collapse without significant warning. Therefore, understanding and calculating the two-way punching shear capacity is vital in design. 

In this regard, this tool applies the latest ACI 318-19 standards to the necessary calculations, where factors such as the concrete's compressive strength, the tensile strength of the steel reinforcement, and the footing's geometric properties are all considered in the process. 

![calcsUS-spread-footing-two-way-shear.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_spread_footing_two_way_shear_cff46196e5.png)

Spread Footing Calculator to ACI 318-19

Wind Bracing Design (Version 3)

## Concrete Beam Design

Concrete beam design involves determining the size of the beam, the type of concrete, and the appropriate reinforcement to support the loads it will bear.

The design process begins by analyzing the loads, such as dead and live loads, that the beam will experience. These values are then used to calculate the required dimensions, placement of reinforcement, and depth of the beam to ensure it can safely handle the loads. The strength of the beam depends on the type of concrete used, which can vary in composition and strength.

High-performance concrete can be customized to improve durability, toughness, and its ability to carry heavy loads. Reinforcement, typically steel bars or mesh, is added to enhance the beam's ability to resist tension. The design process ensures that the right amount and positioning of reinforcement are determined to prevent cracking and failure when the beam is under load.

## Concrete Beam Calculator

This concrete beam calculator is a user-friendly tool that allows users to input specific parameters of a concrete beam, such as dimensions, material properties, loading conditions, and reinforcement details.

[Using the latest ACI 318-19 standards](https://www.concrete.org/store/productdetail.aspx?ItemID=318U19&Language=English&Units=US_Units), the software performs calculations by considering factors like concrete strength, steel reinforcement strength, and beam geometry. It also evaluates load duration factor and load type to determine beam deflection and load capacity.

The calculator includes features for longitudinal reinforcement at midspan and supports in positive and negative moment regions.

Overall, this calculator ensures the safety and structural integrity of concrete beams in various construction projects. It improves efficiency by providing accurate calculations, helping engineers mitigate risks, and making informed decisions for safer and stronger structures. [The software offers easy access to all workings and references behind the calculation](https://clearcalcs.com/features/standards-references).

>[View a worked example of concrete beam design](https://support.clearcalcs.com/article/160-how-to-use-the-rectangular-concrete-beam-calculator).

### Concrete Beam Size Calculator

This concrete beam calculator allows users to calculate the optimal size of a concrete beam by inputting the desired load it needs to support, including both live and dead loads.

<img src="https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_concrete_beam_key_properties_7c5036f706.png" width="750px">

<img src="https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_concrete_beam_load_inputs_03ce785223.png" width="750px">

The calculator also accommodates additional details such as the beam's span, concrete grade, and reinforcement information.

Using the principles of beam theory and design codes, the tool verifies whether the trial section size meets standard requirements, ensuring a safe and efficient beam design. 

### Concrete Beam Depth 

The concrete beam calculator evaluates the optimal depth for a concrete beam. Users can input variables such as load type, load weight, beam span, and concrete strength to calculate the suitable depth. 

This ensures a safe and structurally sound beam for supporting buildings or structures. The calculator includes traffic light checks for moment, deflection, and shear to assist engineers in their assessment.

### Deflection Check for Concrete Beam 

The ClearClacs concrete beam deflection calculator considers load type, beam geometry, and material properties, including concrete characteristics. Its goal is to limit deflection within established guidelines and codes to maintain structural integrity and safety.

The calculator considers both **Live / Short Term Deflections per Span** and **Long-term Deflections per Span**.

**Live / Short Term Deflections per Span**: Deflection is calculated for each span individually as the maximum from each serviceability load combination. For cantilevers, the allowable deflection is taken as twice the simple span deflection per the IBC. Total deflection is multiplied by the analysis to effective moment of inertia ratio.

**Long-term Deflections per Span**: Deflection is calculated for each span individually as the maximum from each serviceability load combination. For cantilevers, the allowable deflection is taken as twice the simple span deflection per the IBC. Total deflection is multiplied by the analysis to effective moment of inertia ratio. Accounts for additional long term deflection due to creep and shrinkage. Note that the code requires that the reinforcement ratio be taken at mid-span for both continuous and simply supported beams, and at the end for cantilever beams.

![calcsUS-concrete-beam-deflection-calculator.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_concrete_beam_deflection_calculator_d63dbd179e.png)

Additionally, this tool calculates the camber in a concrete beam, which is the upward deflection under load.

### Concrete Beam Loads Calculation

This calculator also determines the maximum load a concrete beam can tolerate before succumbing to failure. 

[By computing various reactions and load concentrations](https://support.clearcalcs.com/article/144-how-to-enter-distributed-loads-imperial-units), this tool aids in preventing catastrophic structural collapses and facilitating informed decision-making in building design and construction. 

### Moment Capacity of Concrete Beam

The concrete beam calculator checks the performance and capacity of a concrete beam under different load combinations. It utilizes critical parameters like beam dimensions, concrete strength, and type/amount of reinforcement.

The moment capacity is the highest bending moment a beam can endure before it yields to the stress. 

**Positive Moment Demand**: Max of positive bending moment in the beam
**Positive Moment Capacity**: This is the actual useable strength in the beam.

![calcsUS-concrete-beam-summary.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_concrete_beam_summary_84cad4e733.png)

![calcsUS-concrete-beam-graphed-load.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_concrete_beam_graphed_load_0c03ff5e1e.png)

Additionally, it provides an estimated load-bearing capacity and visualized results using colors to ensure structural integrity and safety in building designs.

This quantification is significant in the design and construction phases, as it assures that the beam can bear the bending loads applied to it without fail. 

Engineers can easily obtain the moment capacity by inputting parameters such as the beam's dimensions, concrete grade, and reinforcing steel properties. This mitigates risks and ensures safety and longevity in construction projects. 

Concrete Beam Calculator to ACI 318-19

## Steel Base Plate Calculator

### Steel Base Plate Design

Before reaching the [foundation](https://clearcalcs.com/blog/types-of-foundation), the long journey of the loads applied to a steel superstructure has one more station to pass: steel base plates. These humble yet usually thick plates are the links that complete the [load paths](https://clearcalcs.com/blog/load-transfer-in-residential-structures-from-roof-to-foundation) and make sure that columns transfer the loads to foundations safely and reliably (quite heroic, eh?). 

The poetic personification aside, let’s go through the technical aspects and talk about a few must-know things before designing a steel base plate.

A base plate connection has four major components: a steel plate (duh!), anchor rods, grouting, and connectors. Let’s have a look at each of these in more detail:
- **Steel plate**: designed for bending moments and axial forces based on the critical load combinations transferred from columns. 
- **Anchor rods**: designed to resist the shear, tensile, and pullout forces carried into the concrete.
- **Grouting**: to ensure a more uniform distribution of the bearing stresses on the concrete. It must have a design compressive strength two times (or more) than the strength of the foundation concrete [1].
- **Connectors**: based on the type of connection at the base of a column (moment or simple), proper connector elements must be designed to transfer the loads. For example, an all-around double-sided groove welding provides a fully-constrained connection between the base plate and the column.

### Key Design Considerations

Instead of diving into notations and formulas, let’s just have a quick look at the bigger image and talk about the most important factors that affect your design:

#### The Eccentricity Parameter: 
The eccentricity parameter is the ratio between the moment and the axial load in the critical load combination. This will show you the main mechanism by which loads are transferred from the base plate to the concrete, one of the things that actually determine your design procedure.

For small values of this parameter, the column forces are mainly translated into uniform bearing pressure on the concrete. However, for large eccentricities, one side of the plate will be uplifted, increasing the pressure on the other side and engaging the anchor rods into tension.

#### Calculating Steel Column Dimensions: 
Well, it’s a no-brainer that the designer should consider sufficient length and width for the plate to provide enough distances between the edges and column flanges. The tricky part is when you have to do the specifications for welding or bolt connections and allow enough space for them.

#### Dimensions of Concrete Support: 
The full cross-sectional area of the concrete supporting member (e.g., a pedestal or the footing), and its ratio to the base plate’s area will influence the design procedure. It’s basically about the relationship between the available area of concrete below the column and the propagation depth of forces.

#### Concrete (Pier) Strength: 
To check if the bearing pressure, shear, and pullout forces are safely resisted by the concrete. Just crack open the ACI 318-19, Table 19.2.1.1, and you will see what that is all about.  

#### Calculating Base Plate Yield Strength: 
The steel grade largely determines the yield strength, which in turn largely affects the strength and ductility of a base plate. Keep in mind that the higher the thickness of a plate, the lower its yield strength. If you need more information about this parameter, AISC 360-16 Cl. A3 is your friend! 

#### Anchor Rod Type and Material: 
Among several tables and lots of parameters that you might come across for this one, you might find the AISC Steel Design Guide 1 (2006), Tables 3.1 and 3.2, quite useful.

### How to Use the Steel Base Plate Calculator

We at ClearCalcs are wholeheartedly committed to spreading useful knowledge to engineers, builders, and architects alike. And if you thought (even for a second) that this article is intended for drawing your attention to one of our calculators and tempt you to subscribe, well, that just breaks our hearts.

Anyway, just in case you were wondering, we have an excellent Steel Base Plate Calculator based on LRFD, which implements the most recent requirements in ACI 318-19, AISC 360-16, and the AISC Steel Design Guide 1 (2006): Base Plate and Anchor Rod Design - 2nd Edition. It’s designed to be intuitive, straightforward, and transparent in its calculations. Let’s have a brief look at this calculator and see how it can make your life easier.

First, using our Load Linking feature, you can simply link any [Steel Column Calculator](https://clearcalcs.com/calculations/steelColumnAS4100-2020) to a base plate and update the results. 

![calcsUS-steel-base-load-linking.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_steel_base_load_linking_f7a4f4259d.png)

See that cute little “Link from Calculator” button? That’s it!

Second, with all the key parameters (and many advanced ones) at your fingertip, you can quickly and easily check their effects on the design via traffic light checks. This includes the utilization ratios for the axial and bending capacities of the plate or the pullout and tensile capacities of the anchor rods.

![calcsUS-steel-base-plate-design-effects.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_steel_base_plate_design_effects_8a21fb6e6f.png)

Third, if you click on any parameter, you will see supplementary descriptions and references to the pertinent codes/standards. Rumor has it that these references will be soon linked to a nice and neat Standards Sidebar in ClearCalcs (just check out our AU calculators!).

![calcsUS-steel-base-plate-references.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_steel_base_plate_references_dd22db359c.png)

We would go on and on about how great this calculator is, but the best way to explore [to sign up for a free trial and you can access all ClearCalcs calculations for 14 days for free](https://clearcalcs.com/signup), with no commitment required.

## Conclusion

Analysis and design of steel base plates is an integral step of every steel structure design, which requires a high level of technical knowledge and proficiency. Numerous engineers, architects, and builders are in search of a cloud-based calculator which implements the latest codes’ requirements, undergoes frequent quality-assurance procedures for reliability and robustness, and is also simple to use. 

The others, however, have already found ClearCalcs Steel Base Plate (LRFD) Calculator and rely on it for their applications.  

#### References
1. AISC Steel Design Guide 1 (2006): Base Plate and Anchor Rod Design - 2nd Edition
2. ANSI/AISC 360-16: Specification for Structural Steel Buildings, 2016
3. Handbook of Structural Steel Connection Design and Details, Akbar R. Tamboli, Third Edition, McGraw-Hill Education


Steel Base Plate (LRFD)

## Concrete Column Design

Concrete column design refers to the steps used to plan the measurements, reinforcing, and build of a reinforced concrete column. The design ensures that the column can safely support the loads imposed on it while meeting the required strength and stability criteria.
Engineers use standards and guidelines from codes like ACI 318-19 and IS 456 to construct concrete columns. These codes offer guidelines for the design process in the form of standards and specifications. Dimensions of the cross-section, choice and placement of longitudinal bars, and ties, circular individual ties, or spirals for transverse reinforcement are all design factors for columns.

The calculations for how to design a concrete column normally include the reinforcing ratio, rebar size, steel bar spacing, size and spacing of ties or spirals, concrete cover thickness, number of steel bars, and overall column dimensions. Concrete column design software can help with analysis and the creation of elaborate reinforcing plans.

For a building to function properly, loads must be transferred from the slab and beams to the foundations and the ground below without compromising the column's structural integrity or safety.

### Design Considerations for Concrete Columns

According to ACI 318-19, design considerations for concrete columns in residential and light commercial applications include:
a.	Determining the axial load and moments on the column.
b.	Choosing suitable materials and reinforcing bars.
c.	Considering column dimensions and aspect ratio.
d.	Accounting for the impact of slenderness.
e.	Providing enough lateral reinforcement to resist lateral stresses.
f.	Assuring appropriate concrete cover.
g.	Considering the effects of temperature and shrinking.
h.	Designing for seismic loads, if appropriate.
i.	To achieve project objectives, consider constructability, durability, and aesthetics.

## Concrete Column Design Software vs. Hand Calculations

### Accuracy	
- **Concrete Column Design Software:** More accurate for complex calculations	
- **Hand Calculations:** Prone to human error if not done carefully

### Efficiency	
- **Concrete Column Design Software:** Quick results, can handle large amounts of data	
- **Hand Calculations:** Time-consuming, require significant effort

### Flexibility	
- **Concrete Column Design Software:** Limited flexibility for unconventional scenarios	
- **Hand Calculations:** Greater flexibility to explore different design options

### Code Compliance	
- **Concrete Column Design Software:** Incorporate latest design codes and standards
- **Hand Calculations:** Requires manual checking for compliance

### Visualization	
- **Concrete Column Design Software:** Provides graphical representations for better understanding
- **Hand Calculations:** Lacks visual output, relies on numerical values

### Learning and Experience	
- **Concrete Column Design Software:** Limited exposure to detailed calculations and formulas	
- **Hand Calculations:** Develops deeper understanding of design principles

### Cost	
- **Concrete Column Design Software:** Comes with a cost (purchase or subscription)	
- **Hand Calculations:** No direct cost apart from time and effort

### Application	
- **Concrete Column Design Software:** Initial design, optimization, and large-scale projects	
- **Hand Calculations:** Verification, sensitivity analysis, and unique design cases

### Components of Concrete Columns Calculations

According to ACI 318-19, a variety of components are used in the construction of concrete columns for residential and light commercial applications. A concrete column calculator is used to calculate the column's dimensions based on the applied loads, material characteristics, and design code requirements for strength. The required reinforcing design is incorporated into the reinforced concrete column design calculator to guarantee the column's stability and load-bearing capability. 

The column's behavior under various loading scenarios is also evaluated using shear and moment computations. The concrete calculation for circular columns entails calculating the necessary concrete volume using a predetermined formula. Together, these equations guarantee that concrete columns in residential and light commercial structures are properly designed and operate as intended.

## How To Calculate Concrete Column?

To calculate a concrete column for residential and light commercial applications, ascertain the requisite load-bearing capacity and column dimensions (cross-sectional area and height). Utilize structural design codes and formulas to calculate the reinforcement required for the column based on the specified concrete strength and safety factors. Consider elements including axial load, bending moment, and shear forces. Perform calculations to ensure the column satisfies the essential strength and stability specifications.

## Concrete Column Load Capacity

The load capacity of a concrete column is the maximum load that may be applied to the column without causing it to crack or break. Dimensions of the column, material strength, reinforcement, and the kind of load all have a role. Concrete column load capacity calculators are commonly used by engineers to do this evaluation.

### How To Calculate Concrete Column Load Capacity?

To calculate concrete column load capacity according to ACI, use the formula:

Load capacity = (0.85 * f'c * Ag) + (0.75 * fy * As), 

where f'c is the concrete compressive strength, Ag is the gross area of the column, fy is the yield strength of reinforcement, and As is the area of the longitudinal reinforcement.

## Concrete Column Strength

Column strength in concrete refers to the greatest amount of weight that a reinforced concrete column can support under standard conditions. Formulas or online concrete column strength calculators can be used to determine this.

### How To Calculate Concrete Column Strength

To calculate concrete column strength according to ACI (American Concrete Institute), use the formula: Pn = 0.85 * φ * Ag * f'c.
Pn represents the nominal axial strength, φ is the resistance factor, Ag is the gross area of the column, and f'c is the compressive strength of the concrete. Use a concrete column strength calculator for accurate results.

## Concrete Column Size

The size of a reinforced concrete column is measured in terms of its length, width, and cross-sectional area. A modest cross-section can be utilized in structures that are only moderately loaded, even though ACI 318-19 does not specify a minimum dimension. Utilizing a small cross-section, however, necessitates precise construction. Column cross-sections are frequently selected at multiples of 5 cm out of convenience.

### How To Calculate Concrete Column Size?

To calculate the concrete column size as per ACI, several factors must be considered. Start by determining the design axial load and moments on the column. Then, calculate the required cross-sectional area using the formula: A = (P + Mc) / fc, where A is the cross-sectional area, P is the axial load, Mc is the moment due to flexure, and fc is the compressive strength of concrete. Additionally, check the slenderness ratio to ensure stability. For accurate results, utilize a concrete column size calculator while adhering to the practical requirement of a cross-section that is a multiple of 5 cm.

Rectangular Concrete Column Calculator to ACI 318-19

## Wall Footing (Strip Footing) Design
Wall footing, particularly strip footing, is a popular [foundation design](https://clearcalcs.com/blog/structural-foundations-design-in-residential-projects-an-overview-and-design-considerations) used in [residential](https://clearcalcs.com/use-case/residential-design) and light commercial constructions to disperse the weight from a load-bearing wall to the underlying soil. 

In the United States, the design procedure for strip footings is governed by the [ACI 318-19 Concrete Code](https://www.concrete.org/store/productdetail.aspx?ItemID=318U19&Language=English&Units=US_Units)'s specifications.

## Design Considerations for Wall Footing
When designing wall footings for residential and light commercial constructions, there are certain factors to consider, as outlined in the ACI 318-19 Concrete Code. 

Some of these considerations include:

- **Load Calculation**: Consider dead loads, live loads, and soil pressures to calculate vertical and lateral loads on the wall footing.
- **Geotechnical investigation**: Determine soil attributes such bearing capacity, soil type, and groundwater conditions.
- **Footing Size and Depth**: Based on applied loads, soil carrying capacity, and permitted settlement, calculate the required footing size and depth.
- **Reinforcement**: Based on the footing's bending moments and shear forces, design the reinforcement to meet code minimums.
- **Stability Analysis**: Analyze footing stability to prevent overturning, sliding, and bearing capacity failure.
- **Building Joints**: Allow for differential settling or footing dimensions due to building sequencing.
- **Detailing and Construction**: Provide precise construction specifications for reinforcing steel, formwork, and concrete placement to assure design implementation.
- **Waterproofing and Drainage**: Waterproof and drain the footing to prevent water collection.

## Wall Footing Design Calculation

To accurately design wall footings for residential and light commercial projects in accordance with the ACI 318-19 Concrete Code, designers can utilize either a wall footing design calculator or manual calculations. 

These calculations involve determining the required dimensions of the strip footing while considering various factors, such as the soil's ability to bear weight, the applied loads on the structure, and the necessary reinforcement. 

### How To Calculate Wall Footing

The procedure for designing wall footing includes calculating the size of the footing, defining reinforcement areas, and confirming compliance with design standards.

![Cross-section of a wall footing](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_wall_footing_cross_section_21ff565ffb.png)

First, determine the footing size based on unfactored loads and effective soil pressure. Use the equation 

(1) **Areq = (D+L)/qe** 

to calculate the required area (**Areq**) of the footing, where **D** is the dead load, **L** is the live load, and **qe** is the effective bearing pressure. 

Equations below should also be used to determine the area of the footing if other loads, such as seismic and wind loads, are present. 

The area of footing is defined as the bigger value of these two equations.

 (2) **Areq = (D+L+ ɯW)/(1.33 qe)** or **Areq = (D+L+ S+ E⁄1.4)/(1.33 qe)** 

The required area may be used to determine the wall footing's width, whereas the standard length is 1 m. Make sure the bottom reinforcement's effective depth for the footing is at least 150mm. The design specifications for stepped or sloping foundations must be met at every segment.

To calculate the reinforcement areas, use the formula 

(3) **AS = Mu / Øfy (d – a/2)**

where **Mu** is the ultimate moment, **Ø** is the strength reduction factor (0.9), **fy** is the steel's yield strength, **d** is the effective depth (taking into account a 75mm concrete cover), and **a** is the depth of the rectangular stress block.

The minimum reinforcement should therefore be calculated using ASmin = 0.0020bh for steel grades lower than 420 or ASmin =0.0018bh for steel grades 420. Where b is the width of footing and h is the depth of footing

It is essential to remember that these calculations and formulae provide a broad framework for wall footing design. For precise and secure design, it is advised to refer to the ACI 318-19 Concrete Code and obtain qualified advice from a structural engineer or architect skilled in strip footing design.

## Worked Example

### Retaining Wall Footing Calculation
The calculation of retaining wall footings includes estimating the size and reinforcing needs for a 
concrete retaining wall's footing. This procedure assures structural stability and load-bearing capability while adhering to the criteria of the ACI 318-19 Concrete Code.

Engineers use a retaining wall footing calculator to take into account soil conditions, wall height, and surcharge loads. To estimate the breadth, depth, and reinforcing features of the footing, accurate calculations take into consideration bending moments, shear forces, and soil carrying capacity. 

### How to use ClearCalcs Wall Footing Calculator for Concrete Retaining Wall Footing Design

To begin, select the "Add a New Calculation" option and navigate to the Foundations and Retaining Walls category. Once inside the template, you'll find various sections to input the necessary data.

![calcsUS-wall-footing-us.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_wall_footing_us_0d459d3588.png)

In the "Footing Properties" section, enter the dimensions of the footing, including thickness and wall width. Specify the concrete strength and its weight classification. 

![calcsUS-wall-footing-footing-properties.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_wall_footing_footing_properties_da84a9f092.png)

Proceed to the "Soil Properties" section, where you can define soil bearing pressure, soil weight, and sliding coefficient, all of which influence the foundation's behavior.

![calcsUS-wall-footing-soil-properties.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_wall_footing_soil_properties_2954aa9b59.png)

Next, focus on the "Bottom Reinforcement" section. By default, ClearCalcs considers transverse reinforcement and allows you to toggle its inclusion. Specify reinforcement size and spacing, as well as whether the reinforcements are straight or hooked. Note that inadequate development length for hooks will result in a failed calculation.

![calcsUS-wall-footing-bottom-reinforcements.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_wall_footing_bottom_reinforcements_86b2585a6a.png)

Moving on, address the longitudinal reinforcement. Define the number of bars, their size, and placement. You also have the option to include top reinforcement, especially if hogging moments or non-positive bending moments need to be controlled.

![calcsUS-wall-footing-longitudinal-reinforcements.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_wall_footing_longitudinal_reinforcements_af527932fa.png)

Apply loads in the designated section, such as vertical loads, lateral shear loads, and moment loads. The calculator considers the self-weight of the concrete footing and the soil on top. The design criteria follow the International Building Code (IBC 2021), allowing you to manually set minimum overturning and sliding factors of safety.

![calcsUS-wall-footing-applied-loads.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_wall_footing_applied_loads_3a0e9623a7.png)
ClearCalcs calculates total loads using ASD and RFD combinations based on ASCE 7-16. 

The results summarize the allowable gross soil bearing stress, factored moment capacity, factored one-way shear capacity, and development length of rebar. Similar to other calculators provided by ClearCalcs, the Wall Footing Calculator has gone through comprehensive reviews by experts and is constantly monitored for reliability and robustness.

![calcsUS-wall-footing-summary.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_wall_footing_summary_cda828fd89.png)

Wall Footing Calculator to ACI 318-19

## Retaining Wall Calculator

The ClearCalcs Cantilever Retaining Wall Calculator is an outstanding tool for the design and analysis of retaining walls calculation. The calculator is built to adhere to the standards outlined in the International Building Code (IBC) 2021 and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). 

This all-inclusive retaining wall design software offers a wide range of functionalities that improve design productivity and precision.

Engineers can effortlessly input essential measurements, including wall height, wall stem thickness at the base and top, as well as the length of the toe and heel, using this calculator. Moreover, the calculator allows customization of soil characteristics, surcharge loads, and concrete qualities, enabling a more thorough and detailed analysis.

![Key parameters input for cantilever retaining wall design in ClearCalcs](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_cantilever_retaining_wall_input_85b90757dc.png)

Similar to other calculators provided by ClearCalcs, the Concrete Cantilever Retaining Wall Calculator has gone through comprehensive reviews by experts and is constantly monitored for reliability and robustness. 

It utilizes the Rankine theory to accurately determine lateral earth pressure, assuming the retained soil is in the active state and the soil cover in front of the retaining wall toe is in the passive state. This ensures that the design calculations are reliable and conform to industry standards.

This calculator provides engineers with thorough data on the retaining wall's structural stability and performance in the form of a Stability Summary, Stem Summary, Heel Summary, and Toe Summary. Because of this, the design can be analyzed in more depth and refined accordingly.

![Summary of calculation outputs for cantilever retaining wall design in ClearCalcs](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_cantilever_retaining_wall_summary_1e8785c2e7.png)

The ClearCalcs Cantilever Retaining Wall Calculator is versatile, accommodating L-shaped retaining walls and shear key designs, among others. Due to its adaptability, it may be used to meet the needs of many different projects.

## Retaining Wall Design Considerations

The proper design of retaining walls is critical in residential and light commercial projects to ensure their stability, durability, and safety. Several aspects are considered during the design process, including soil properties, site circumstances, and loading requirements.

**Soil Properties and Site Circumstances**

The qualities of the soil are important in the design of retaining walls. To determine appropriate design parameters, the designer can depend on soil engineering properties mentioned in the building code or conduct a geotechnical investigation. Unusual wall configurations or unknown soils may demand such a study. The investigation decreases risks and can lead to the use of less conservative design specifications, ultimately lowering costs.

**Trial Geometry and Stability Assessment**

The design process begins with creating a trial geometry for the wall based on the rules of thumb and the designer's experience. Base width, base thickness, stem thickness, and stem position on the base are all important factors to consider. The base width is often a fraction of the wall height, whereas the base and stem thicknesses are proportional. It is critical to ensure that a substantial percentage of the base width projects forward from the face of the stem.

Rules of thumb commonly used by designers to establish the geometry of the wall ([Reference](https://wallace.design/retaining-wall-design/)):  
- Base width = 1/2 to 1/3 of the height of the wall.
- Base thickness = 1/8 of the height of the wall but not less than 12 inches.
- Stem thickness = 6 inches + ¼ inch for each foot of wall height.
- Stem located on base so that 1/3 of total base width projects forward from the face of the stem.

**Reinforcement and Jointing Requirements**

Once the trial geometry is determined, the designer assesses the wall's capacity to withstand overturning, sliding, and bearing pressure beneath the footing. Geometric changes may be required to maintain stability. The steel reinforcement is then calculated, often with vertical and horizontal reinforcement near the back face of the stem and at the top and bottom of the base. Jointing requirements, such as contraction and expansion joints, are taken into account for temperature and shrinkage management.

**Backfill and Drainage Considerations**

The designer determines the backfill and drainage needs. The design specifies the type of soil, compaction, and drainage techniques. Using free-draining aggregate fill compacted in shallow lifts is often less expensive and puts less load on the wall. Additional measures, such as the installation of perforated pipes or weep holes, aid in providing adequate drainage.

### Importance of Retaining Wall Base Design

The Retaining Wall Base Calculator is an essential component of ClearCalcs Cantilever Retaining Wall Calculator, an advanced retaining wall design tool utilized by structural and architectural engineers. 
The base of a retaining wall is of critical importance for assuring stability and preventing excessive settlement. It evenly distributes the wall's load, minimizing concentrated stress sites that could compromise the wall's integrity. 

The ClearCalcs Cantilever Retaining Wall Calculator includes a base calculator that precisely calculates the required dimensions and reinforcement for a stable foundation. By inputting variables such as toe length, heel length, wall stem base thickness and footing thickness, precise answers can be derived. 

![Cantilever retaining wall base design as depicted in ClearCalcs Retaining Wall Calculator](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_cantilever_retaining_wall_base_a576cac223.png)

The design of the base is of the uttermost importance as it supports the load of the retaining wall and effectively resists external forces such as soil pressure and water pressure. Engineers use the base calculator to optimize the design, assuring the long-term performance and safety of the retaining wall.

### Factors Affecting Retaining Wall Stability

Retaining wall stability is critical for survival and longevity. There are a number of essential factors that help keep things stable.

 Overturning moments and sliding due to lateral pressure can be resisted if the wall geometry is properly matched. This entails settling on correct measurements such as platform size, stem thickness, toe and heel breadth, and heel height.

The strength of a retaining wall depends heavily on the allowable bearing pressure on the soil. Safe bearing capacity (S.B.C) refers to the maximum load that may be supported by the soil without damaging the structure. The loads must be distributed evenly, and excessive bearing pressure must be avoided, by carefully designing the foundation.

The accumulation of water behind the wall must also be avoided. To prevent hydrostatic pressure from building up behind the materials, weep holes should be inserted.

The ClearCalcs Cantilever Retaining Wall Calculator takes into account all of these criteria to guarantee a safe and solid design. Overturning, slide, and shear force estimates are made with the soil's capacity in mind. The calculator is also helpful for figuring out the right size and reinforcing needs for a certain project. 

### Shear Key Design in Retaining Walls

Shear keys are important in the construction of retaining walls because they improve sliding resistance and provide stability against lateral forces. 

These keys are installed at the base of the wall and are proportioned so that their width is at least twice as deep as their depth, in accordance with ACI 318-19 requirements. 

They successfully withstand lateral loads generated by earth and water pressures, earthquakes, and wind by building the key's strength in shear rather than flexural directions. Considerations throughout the design phase include selecting the optimum size, spacing, and reinforcement of the shear keys. When developing a shear key, factors like as applied stresses, bending, and shear must be considered. 

![Shear key input in cantilever retaining wall design in ClearCalcs](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_cantilever_retaining_shear_key_996f10fc3d.png)

The shear key design is incorporated into the calculations in ClearCalcs Cantilever Retaining Wall Calculator to provide a comprehensive analysis of the retaining wall, taking into account factors like overturning moment, bearing pressure, and base dimensions like the width of toe, base length, stem thickness, and width of heel.

## Retaining Wall Design Software

Retaining Wall Design Software, such as the ClearCalcs Cantilever Retaining Wall Calculator, is a powerful program appropriate for creating cantilever retaining walls, as well as block or concrete walls. It includes calculations for overturning, sliding, and bearing utilization ratios.

The software automates complex calculations, lowering the possibility of errors that can occur during manual computations. Its user-friendly interface allows for simple input of design parameters, saving time and effort. It generates a complete PDF design report that provides a transparent overview of the calculation procedures and references used, providing clarity and documentation.

The software calculates retaining wall stability using integrated lateral pressure methods and the Rankine theory for lateral earth pressure. It is assumed that the retained soil is in an active state, with passive soil cover in front of the retaining wall toe. While it provides variable reinforcing qualities, concrete details must be confirmed separately.

The ClearCalcs Cantilever Retaining Wall Calculator saves time and provides confidence in satisfying code requirements such as the IBC by simplifying efficient design calculations. Engineers may rely on this software for exact and code-compliant concrete retaining wall designs, including considerations for unique requirements such as L-shaped designs and shear key designs.

## Concrete Retaining Wall Design and Calculation

Concrete retaining wall design entails the structural construction of a reinforced cantilever system comprised of a relatively thin stem and a base slab. The thickness of the stem can be continuous or tapered, depending on cost and construction. The base is separated into the heel and toe, with the heel placed beneath the backfill. 

Concrete retaining walls provide substantial advantages in residential and light commercial applications by combining efficient concrete use with superior soil retention. They provide stability against soil erosion and are adjustable to varying height needs, often regarded as inexpensive up to around 25 ft. 

Concrete wall design issues include selecting an acceptable concrete strength, reinforcement detailing, and formwork needs. Factors such as base width, stem thickness, toe width, and heel width are crucial in withstanding overturning moments, sliding pressures, and shear.

The ClearCalcs Cantilever Retaining Wall Calculator facilitates the precise and code-compliant design of concrete retaining walls. It assures correct designs and compliance with industry standards by calculating critical factors, including bearing pressure, bearing capacity, and base length.

The formulas used in design calculations include: overturning moment formula (M = W * H) and bearing pressure formula (P = q * A), where M is the overturning moment, W is the applied load, H is the height of the wall, P is the bearing pressure, q is the soil pressure, and A is the area of the base.

### Concrete Retaining Wall Calculator

A concrete retaining wall calculator is an extremely useful tool for structural and architectural professionals when designing concrete retaining walls. 

The ClearCalcs Cantilever Retaining Wall Calculator excels at the calculations required for these structures. Engineers can use this advanced calculator to effectively determine concrete characteristics, design stem reinforcement, heel reinforcement (top bars), and toe reinforcement (bottom bars). 

![Concrete properties input in ClearCalcs cantilever retaining wall calculator](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_cantilever_retaining_concrete_properties_2683faa4b6.png)

It also includes load combinations to guarantee a precise examination of the stability of the wall. 
Furthermore, the calculator streamlines the design process by including elements like concrete strength determination and shear key design. 

Engineers can use these features to streamline their design workflow while adhering to the stringent standards established in ACI 318-19. For effective and dependable design solutions, the concrete retaining wall calculator becomes an invaluable resource.

## Cantilever Retaining Wall Design

Cantilever retaining walls are a form of structure used in civil engineering to sustain soil and resist the pressure exerted by the retained material. They have a base foundation and a vertical stem that extends above the ground. The stem works as a cantilever, relying on soil resistance to avoid overturning and sliding.

The efficiency and variety of cantilever retaining walls make them ideal. They are often utilized in applications such as highway and railway embankments, basement walls, and landscaping projects. There are various factors to consider while designing a cantilever wall. Overturning moments must be calculated to maintain stability, and resistant soil pressures are calculated using [the Rankine theory](https://www.civilconcept.com/cantilever-retaining-wall/), which takes into account soil qualities like cohesion and friction. It is critical to choose proper reinforcing bars to withstand forces and prevent structural failure.

ClearCalcs Cantilever Retaining Wall Calculator can be used to make the design process easier. This tool integrates industry-standard formulas and methodologies for determining dimensions, lateral earth pressure, stability checks, and reinforcement design. It streamlines the design process, assuring speed and conformity with technical requirements.

### Cantilever Retaining Wall Calculator

A Cantilever Retaining Wall Calculator is a vital tool for structural and architectural professionals involved in the construction of cantilever retaining walls. ClearCalcs' Cantilever Retaining Wall Calculator stands out among calculators for its outstanding capabilities. 

This calculator quickly calculates the dimensions and reinforcing required for cantilever walls, taking into consideration concrete characteristics, stem reinforcement, heel reinforcement (top bars), toe reinforcement (bottom bars), and other factors.

The flexibility of ClearCalcs' calculator to handle complex geometries and various soil conditions distinguishes it. It gives engineers a thorough study that takes lateral earth pressure, water pressure, and surcharge loads into account. When these values are entered, the calculator produces precise results, optimizing the design process and maintaining the structural integrity of cantilever retaining walls. Engineers can use this sophisticated tool to speed up calculations, simplify the design process, and produce safe and effective retaining wall solutions.

## Designing L-Shaped Retaining Walls

Designing an L-shaped retaining wall presents unique concerns and obstacles. The essential considerations are resisting overturning moments, preventing sliding and shear failures, and regulating bearing pressures. 

To ensure stability, the bearing capacity of the foundation must be carefully analyzed. The stem thickness and width of the toe and heel should be tailored to withstand the applied loads and soil pressures. 

ClearCalcs Cantilever Retaining Wall Calculator easily accommodates the unique geometry and load distribution of L-shaped walls. The calculator delivers design solutions that meet safety regulations by precisely assessing the stresses and pressures operating on the wall. Its complete capabilities simplify the design process, allowing engineers to create dependable and efficient designs for L-shaped retaining walls.

Cantilever Retaining Wall Calculator to IBC 2021, ASCE 7-16

Wood Member (Design Only - ASD) Calculator to NDS 2018 (ASD)

Perform fast analysis of simple flexible diaphragms using the ClearCalcs Diaphragm Analysis Calculator. With support for unlimited loads and supports, plus highly accurate FEA-based results for load distribution and in-plane shear, the ClearCalcs Diaphragm Analysis Calculator is the fastest way to model and design Diaphragms.

## Flexible Diaphragm Analysis

The ClearCalcs Diaphragm Analysis allows users to quickly analyse diagrams in few simple steps. 

Currently, only flexible diaphragms are supported. The forces on the flexible diaphragm are distributed to the vertical resisting elements according to the tributary area and simple [beam analysis](https://clearcalcs.com/freetools/beam-analysis). This generally applies to wood-sheathed diaphragms.

## Glossary

### Summary Section

**Shear Demand in Diaphragm**: The governing shear is the maximum shear acting on the diaphragm

**Governing Load for Shear in Diaphragm**: This is the load type that causes the highest shear in the diaphragm.

**Demands Table**: The values in this table demonstrate the total seismic and wind loads being transferred into each braced wall line.

### Key Properties Section

**Diaphragm Type**: Currently, only flexible diaphragms are supported. The forces on the flexible diaphragm are distributed to the vertical resisting elements according to the tributary area and simple beam analysis. This generally applies to wood-sheathed diaphragms.

**Length of Diaphragm**: Length of the diaphragm perpendicular to the loading direction that it is being considered.

**Position of Braced Wall Lines from Left**: The braced wall line  locations can be entered here. Position (x): distance of the centre of wall line from the left of the diaphragm.\nAny number of additional wall lines may be added.

### Diaphragm Loads
**Wind Loads**: This distributed load table gives the option to input [wind pressures](https://clearcalcs.com/calculations/loadsWindCnCASCE7-16) in pounds per square feet manually or to link from the MWFRS wind calculator. \n\nThe tributary height is the height that the wind pressure is applied over and would be distributed to the diaphragm. This would be the from the distance between midpoint of the wall below to the midpoint of the wall above for floor diaphragms, and the distance between the midpoint of the wall below to the top of the roof for roof diaphragms.

**Seismic Loads**: This load table gives the option to input [seismic loads](https://clearcalcs.com/calculations/seismicAnalysisUS) as a total point load (in pounds) applied to the structure. It can also be used to link loads with our seismic analysis calculator.\n\nThe point load is then converted to a linear shear load by uniformly distributing the load over the distance specified by Start and End location. That is to say, we take the load V in pounds, and divide it by X_end - X_start.

**General Line Loads**: This line load table gives the option to input wind and seismic loads in pounds per linear feet manually.\n\nA line load is a continuous length of the beam which is loaded. This load may start and end at any location. A **partially distributed load (PDL)**, for example, would start and/or end at a location within the beam. 

Note also that the start and end magnitudes may differ. A **variable distributed load (VDL)** is a triangular load, in which the start magnitude does not equal the end magnitude. Note that all distributed loads entered in this table are applied perpendicular to the beam (regardless of its orientation).


Diaphragm Analysis

Calculates the balanced snow loads on sloped and flat roofs by considering the ground snow load, surface roughness, building importance, roof exposure, roof pitch and thermal condition of the building. This calculator notes if a rain on snow surcharge load is required.

Snow Loads

The ClearCalcs Restrained Retaining Wall Calculator offers rapid and customizable design and analysis calculations tailored for restrained retaining walls, commonly used as basement walls. Specifically designed for compliance with the International Building Code (IBC), the calculator assumes the absence of shear keys, no inclination of soil behind the structure, and excludes wind or earthquake loads. Utilizing the Rankine theory, the calculator estimates lateral earth pressure, considering the retained soil in the at-rest state (with the option to consider it in the active state). It is important to note that concrete detailing should be independently verified to ensure compliance with design standards.

Restrained (Basement) Retaining Wall

The ClearCalcs steel beam calculator is now enhanced with torsion checks, enabling engineers to efficiently design and analyze steel beams. This advanced tool empowers engineers to precisely model multi-span closed-section steel beams under torsional loads, while ensuring compliance with the AISC 360-16 (ASD) Provisions. Furthermore loads can be dynamically linked between structural elements, so beams, columns, and connections can easily be linked and checked for adequacy.

Steel Beam With Torsion (ASD)

Effortlessly analyze steel bolt connections using the ClearCalcs Steel Bolt Group Analysis Calculator. This powerful tool allows for the analysis of numerous steel bolts located at arbitrary X and Y positions, considering in-plane shear and moment loads. Keep in mind that users must independently verify and assess bolt design and detailing requirements.

Steel Bolt Group Analysis (ASD)

The ClearCalcs Wind Load Calculator to ASCE 7-22 makes it easy to perform in-depth wind analysis to US codes in only minutes. With support for simple or complex site criteria, the wind calculator provides a deep range of customization options to provide fast results, and in depth customisation where required.

ASCE 7-22  Wind Load Calculator

The ClearCalcs Wind Load Calculator to AS/NZS 1170.2 makes it easy to perform in depth wind analysis to Australian codes in only minutes. With support for simple or complex site criteria, the wind calculator provides a deep range of customisation options to provide fast results, and in depth customisation where required.

Wind Loads (AS/NZS 1170.2)

The easy to use online ClearCalcs Wood Beam ASD Calculator to NDS 2018 enables you to do quick and powerful design and analysis for simple and continuous wood beams, with unlimited supports and loads. Choose from our library of thousands of common wood sections, or create your own and get instant results with our easy to understand traffic light checks for moment, deflection, and shear. The calculator also supports flitch plates.



Wood Beam (ASD) Calculator to NDS 2018 (ASD)

Make design calculations the easiest part of your job

Wood Beam (LRFD) Calculator to NDS 2018 (LRFD)

## Wood Column Calculator

This wood column calculator is a useful tool for [engineers](https://clearcalcs.com/persona/structural-engineer), [architects](https://clearcalcs.com/persona/architect), and [design professionals](https://clearcalcs.com/persona/building-designer) seeking for accurate and efficient calculations of wood columns and studs design to American standards

With this wood column design calculator, you can bid farewell to complex manual calculations and time-consuming spreadsheet work. This powerful software simplifies the process of analyzing and designing wood columns by providing quick and reliable results at your fingertips.

Whether you're working on [residential](https://clearcalcs.com/use-case/residential-design) or commercial structures, this calculator is a valuable asset for any wood column design project.

### Wood Column Load Calculator

The calculator considers the following types of applied loads on columns: 

**Axial, Lateral & Moment Loads about X-axis**: Magnitude of axial loads, as well as moment loads applied about the strong axis. Axial loads cause compression or tension along with the height of the column. For example, the load from a beam onto a column. Moment loads attempt to/cause the rotation of a member about an axis. Note that axial loads will be added together with axial loads entered in the equivalent table for Y-axis loads.

**Lateral Distributed Loads**: Magnitude of distributed lateral loads applied along the height of the column, about the strong axis. E.g. wind load on a column. Note that triangular loads may be entered here by simply specifying a different load width at the start versus end of the load.

![calcsUS-concrete-column-tributary-width.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_concrete_column_tributary_width_e661c97310.png)

### Wood Column Size Calculator

The calculator provides a comprehensive library of standard lumber, glulam, LVL, PSL and LSL cross-sections and grades with their corresponding material properties. You can select the specific wood species, type, and the manufacturer that will be used for the column, enabling accurate calculations based on the chosen material's strength characteristics.

If a cross-section or grade you need is not in our database, feel free to [contact us](mailto:hello@clearcalcs.com) and we will add it, or you can enter custom properties for a quick design check.

### Wood Column Strength Calculator

Using established engineering principles and industry standards, the calculator performs strength calculations based on the input parameters, material properties, and applied loads. It considers factors such as axial compression, bending moments, and shear forces to assess the column's capacity to withstand the loads.

### Wood Column Capacity Calculator

Based on the strength calculations, the calculator determines the load capacity of the wood column. It compares the calculated stresses and forces to the allowable stresses and strengths of the chosen wood species. If the calculated values remain within the acceptable limits, the column is deemed to have sufficient load capacity.

### Wood Column Buckling Calculator

By considering the column length, end conditions, critical buckling load, applied loads, and safety factors, the calculator evaluates the potential for column buckling in its load capacity calculations. This ensures that the design accounts for this critical mode of failure and helps engineers create structurally sound wood column designs.

## Use Cases for Wood Column Design

The use case of wood column design varies depending on the specific application and location within a structure. Here's an explanation of the use cases for wood column design in different scenarios:

### Interior Stud Wall:

In the context of an interior stud wall, wood columns are typically used to provide vertical support and structural stability. These columns are positioned within the wall framework and help bear the load from the floors or roof above. 

Wood columns in interior stud walls play a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of the building. 

### Exterior Stud Wall:

For an exterior stud wall, wood columns are vital for providing support and stability to the building envelope. These columns are positioned at the corners and intermediate locations of the wall to resist the lateral loads caused by wind or seismic forces. 

### Interior Isolated Column:

In some structural designs, there may be interior isolated columns that support specific concentrated loads or serve as structural elements in open spaces. These columns are not part of a wall system and are instead located independently within the interior of a building. 

### Exterior Isolated Column:

Similar to interior isolated columns, exterior isolated columns are positioned independently outside the building envelope. 

They can be found in scenarios such as covered entrances, verandas, or exterior structural elements. These columns are subject to various loads, including vertical loads, wind loads, and sometimes even lateral loads. 

In all these use cases, the ClearCalcs Wood Column ASD Calculator simplifies the design process, provides accurate calculations, and helps engineers and architects determine the appropriate size and specifications of wood columns for different applications.

Wood Column (ASD) Calculator to NDS 2018 (ASD)

Wood Column (LRFD) Calculator to NDS 2018 (LRFD)

Wood Roof Tie (ASD) Calculator to NDS 2018 (ASD)

Wood Roof Tie (LRFD) Calculator to NDS 2018 (LRFD)

Beam Analysis Calculator

## Portal Frame Analysis Wizard

## Portal Frame Design

Portal frames are commonly used structural systems in [residential](https://clearcalcs.com/use-case/residential-design) and light commercial buildings, providing efficient and cost-effective solutions for spanning large distances. 

Let’s delve into the technical aspects of designing portal frames and introduce the ClearCalcs Portal Frame Analysis Wizard, a powerful tool that streamlines the design process for qualified [structural engineers](https://clearcalcs.com/persona/structural-engineer) in the industry.

Designing portal frames requires careful consideration of various factors. The below procedure is the basis for portal frame design.

### Determine the Loads: 

The first step is to identify and quantify all the loads acting on the portal frame. These loads can include dead loads (self-weight of the structure and permanent fixtures), live loads (occupancy, snow, wind, etc.), and any other relevant loads based on the specific application of the frame. 

The loads can be input into ClearCalcs with ease: 

![calcs-portal-frames-loads-input.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_portal_frames_loads_input_f6f36153c9.png)

### Select the Material: 
[Choose an appropriate structural material for the frame](https://support.clearcalcs.com/article/26-quickly-finding-the-best-section-with-the-member-suggestor), typically steel or reinforced concrete. Consider the material properties, such as strength, stiffness, durability, and cost, as well as the specific requirements of the project. 

The selected members can be input into ClearCalcs.

![Selection of portal frame materials in ClearCalcs Portal Frame Analysis Wizard](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_portal_frames_materials_489f70c20d.png)

### Establish the Geometry: 

Determine the dimensions and layout of the portal frame, including the left leg, right leg and chord, height, and any other relevant dimensions. Consider the architectural and functional requirements, as well as any site-specific constraints. 

The geometry can be input into ClearCalcs easily as per below.
![Portal frames geometry input in ClearCalcs Portal Frame Analysis Wizard](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_portal_frames_geometry_input_0e4be8940f.png)

### Analyze the Frame: 

Perform structural analysis to determine the internal forces (moments, shears, and axial forces) and deflections in the frame under the applied loads. This can be done using various methods such as manual calculations, computer software, or finite element analysis.

### Member Sizing and Design: 

Based on the results of the structural analysis, size and design the individual members of the portal frame, including columns, beams, and connections. Consider factors such as the member's ability to resist bending, shear, and axial forces. Design the connections to ensure they can transfer the loads effectively and safely.

### Check for Stability: 

Assess the stability of the portal frame by verifying that it can resist lateral buckling, overturning, and other modes of failure. Consider factors such as bracing requirements, the need for tie-downs, and the effect of wind loads on the structure.

### Detailing: 

Develop detailed drawings and specifications for the portal frame, including reinforcement details, connection designs, and any additional construction details required for fabrication and construction.

### Construction and Quality Control: 

Ensure that the portal frame is constructed according to the design drawings and specifications. Implement quality control measures to verify the fabrication, installation, and welding processes, if applicable.

### Testing and Certification: 

Depending on the project requirements and jurisdictional regulations, the completed portal frame may need to undergo load testing and obtain relevant certifications to ensure its structural integrity and safety.

## Portal Frame Bracing Design

Proper bracing design is crucial for the stability and performance of portal frames. Bracing systems help resist lateral loads and prevent excessive deflection and buckling. The design of portal frame bracing involves:
- **Lateral Load Analysis**: Determine the magnitude and distribution of lateral loads acting on the portal frame, including wind loads and seismic forces. Analyze the loads based on the building's location and design codes.
- **Bracing Layout**: Strategically position bracing members to efficiently transfer and distribute the lateral loads throughout the structure. Bracing can be achieved through diagonal members, portal frames with vertical bracing, or other suitable configurations.
- **Bracing Member Design**: Calculate the required sizes and strengths of bracing members to ensure they can withstand the applied loads. Consider the material properties, connection details, and design code requirements during member sizing.

## ClearCalcs Portal Frame Calculator
The ClearCalcs Portal Frame Analysis Wizard is a valuable tool for qualified structural engineers engaged in portal frame design. This user-friendly software simplifies the analysis process and offers efficient calculations for various parameters. 

Some key features and benefits of the ClearCalcs Portal Frame Calculator include:

### Ease of Use: 
The calculator's intuitive interface allows engineers to input design parameters, such as member properties, loads, and support conditions, with ease. The step-by-step process guides users through the necessary inputs for a comprehensive analysis.

### Comprehensive Analysis: 
The ClearCalcs Portal Frame Calculator performs a thorough analysis of the portal frame using finite element analysis, considering factors such as member strengths, load combinations, and bracing effectiveness. 

The software ensures accurate results by incorporating the latest design codes and standards. It outputs all relevant moment, shear, axial, reactions and displacement information and graphs it on the portal frame to aid decision making.

![Summary of results for portal frame analysis in ClearCalcs](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_portal_frames_summary_d3077bcf4d.png)

### Deflection Calculation: 
The calculator provides essential outputs, including deflection diagrams, which help engineers assess the structural performance and serviceability of the portal frame. These deflection values allow for adjustments in member sizes or additional bracing, if necessary, to meet design requirements. 

![Deflection diagrams for portal frames in ClearCalcs](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_portal_frames_deflection_diagram_6431053d99.png)

### Time Efficiency: 
By automating complex calculations, the ClearCalcs Portal Frame Calculator significantly reduces design time and eliminates the need for manual calculations. Engineers can quickly obtain accurate results, allowing for efficient iterations and optimization of the portal frame design rather than redoing each of the steps outlined above by hand.

### Customizable Design Options: 
The calculator offers customizable design options, such as material selection, member sizes, and bracing configurations that are based on industry standard sizes to ensure the design is procurable. Engineers can explore different scenarios and assess the impact of design choices on the overall performance of the portal frame.

### Design Validation: 

ClearCalcs' Portal Frame Calculator ensures that the designed portal frame meets the required design criteria and complies with relevant building codes and regulations including Australian, Canadian, Eurocode, New Zealand and American Standards. This validation feature provides engineers with confidence in the structural integrity and safety of their designs.

Using the ClearCalcs Portal Frame Calculator is straightforward. Engineers input the necessary parameters, such as member dimensions, material properties, applied loads, and support conditions. The calculator then performs the analysis, considering factors such as structural stability, member strengths, and deflection limits. The outputs include critical design parameters, including member forces, reactions, and deflection values, enabling engineers to evaluate and refine their portal frame designs.

By leveraging the ClearCalcs Portal Frame Calculator, qualified structural engineers can streamline their design workflow and ensure the efficient and accurate analysis of portal frame structures. This powerful software tool empowers engineers to optimize member sizes, assess the impact of design choices, and validate the structural integrity of portal frame designs.

_Learn more [how to use the Portal Frame Analysis Wizard](https://clearcalcs.com/support/analysis/portal-frames) and view [the worked example](https://clearcalcs.com/support/analysis/portal-frame-analysis-worked-examples) to get started with your first portal frame analysis!_

Portal Frame Analysis Wizard Calculator

Perform fast FEA analysis of any type of 2D truss using the ClearCalcs Truss Analysis Wizard calculator. With a live solving FEA analysis engine providing results for shear, moment, and deflection, ClearCalcs makes it easy to specify nodes, fixicities, and members and solve for 2D analysis in the cloud.

Truss Analysis Wizard Calculator

## Steel Beam Calculator

The ClearCalcs Steel Beam Calculator is a powerful tool. It transforms the design and analysis of steel beams, making a daunting task efficient, precise, and user-friendly.

This tool is engineered according to the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) 360-16 (ASD) provisions. It provides industry-standard precision and a stress-free solution for structural engineers, architects, and building designers.

The software includes many functionalities for beam analysis, such as: 
- Steel beam load calculator 
- Steel beam deflection calculator 
- Steel beam span calculator 
- Steel beam size calculator 
- Steel beam moment capacity calculator 

These are all essential for a comprehensive and thorough analysis.

The ClearCalcs calculator makes design processes easy. You don't need to worry about complex manual calculations. It is fast, accurate, and requires minimal effort.

### How to Use The Steel Beam Calculator

The steel beam calculator simplifies the process of structural calculations, delivering comprehensive results quickly and accurately. [Follow this worked example to find out how you can easily use the ClearCalcs Steel Beam Calculator](https://support.clearcalcs.com/article/55-design-example-continuous-beam-designed-per-aisc-360-16).

#### 1. Input Key Properties

Use the ClearCalcs calculator to enter critical steel beams attributes like dimensions, steel grade, section properties, beam length, and yield strength. 

![Key input for ClearCalcs Steel Beam Calculator](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_steel_beam_inputs_b8488b0e3a.png)

This user-friendly and intuitive interface also provides an essential feature that allows you to model your beam support using the support/braces table. 

This feature allows you to create various beam types, including simply supported, cantilever, overhanging, continuous, fixed-ended, and cantilever simply supported beams, providing comprehensive beam analysis capabilities.

#### 2. Input Loads

The ClearCalcs calculator allows the swift input of various load types and patterns applied to the beam. This feature ensures the utmost flexibility in calculating loads, whether uniformly [distributed loads](https://support.clearcalcs.com/article/144-how-to-enter-distributed-loads-imperial-units), point and moment loads, or line loads.

![Different types of loads input for ClearCalcs steel beam calculator](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_steel_beam_loads_bdfc44a263.png)

#### 3. Calculation Summary Outputs

Upon completing the input phase, the ClearCalcs calculator not only generates numerical and graphical outputs but also performs utilization checks. 

These checks assess the beam's performance under the applied loads by comparing the actual demand with the allowable capacity. In addition, the results, presented in an easily comprehensible manner both in written and visualized forms, illustrate the degree of utilization, aiding the user in their decision-making process. 

![ClearCalcs Steel Beam Calculator summary output](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_steel_beam_summary_output_b4f13b7ed7.png)

![ClearCalcs Steel Beam Calculator summary graphs output](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_steel_beam_summary_output_graphs_7b3d184a29.png)

## Steel Beam Moment Capacity Calculator

The ClearCalcs steel beam calculator also functions as a moment capacity calculator, efficiently computing the beam's maximum moment capacity (the maximum bending moment a beam can withstand before yielding).

### How To Calculate the Moment Capacity of Steel Beam 

The moment capacity represents the maximum bending moment a beam can tolerate before it begins to fail or yield. 

The process of calculating the moment capacity of a beam starts with the identification of the beam's specifications, such as length, depth, width, and the type and grade of steel used. As the strength of steel significantly varies based on its grade, this detail is crucial for accurately determining the beam's capacity. Thereafter, the section's moment of inertia and the modulus of elasticity of the steel material are determined. 

The ClearCalcs-provided steel beam moment capacity calculator meticulously computes all essential member properties in accordance with the AISC 360-16 provisions. It then delivers a comprehensive report detailing the demand versus the capacity ratio of the beam. All these measures are accurately executed to ensure the beam's safe and reliable performance for both residential and industrial applications. 

![Steel beam moment capacity calculator by ClearCalcs](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_steel_beam_moment_capacity_b95c79d180.png)

Further, it offers quick and easy solutions to engineers with a built-in steel sections' database to overcome the need for steel sections' data entry, thereby preventing human mistakes and enhancing accuracy, and reducing calculation efforts. Additionally, it allows metric and imperial units to meet local and global standards. 

## Steel Beam Deflection Calculator

Deflection, or the degree to which a structural element is displaced under a load, is a crucial factor for the safety of steel beams and overall structural integrity and serviceability. The ClearCalcs steel beam calculator streamlines the calculation of beam deflection.

### How To Calculate the Deflection Of a Steel Beam 

The process of calculating steel beam deflection is an essential step in structural design to prevent potential damage or failure from excessive deflection under load. Key parameters of the beam, including its length, section properties, steel grade, and applied load, are identified for this process. 

However, the identification of these parameters is just the beginning. Once these inputs are determined, they are fed into the finite element model to accurately perform the analysis. 

The ClearCalcs steel beam deflection calculator easily inputs critical properties of the beam, such as its length, section properties, steel grade, and applied load. Thereafter, it operates using finite element analysis to report the beam's deflection curve along with color-coded deflection demand-to-capacity ratios. 

![Steel beam deflection graph depicted in ClearCalcs steel beam calculator](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_steel_beam_deflection_graph_be4263aaed.png)
![Steel beam deflection calculation in ClearCalcs](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_steel_beam_deflection_calculation_fe19b96691.png)

Hence, with this calculator, an accurate calculation of the beam's deflection under specific load conditions is possible, thereby enhancing the precision and safety of the structural design.

## Steel Beam Span Calculator

The ClearCalcs steal beam calculator's ability to calculate the steel beam span, or the maximum distance a beam can span between supports without excessive deflection or risk of failure, makes it an indispensable tool for engineers and architects.

### How To Calculate Steel Beam Span

Selecting a steel beam span requires identifying the beam's capacity and calculating the reactions to the applied load. 

This process is an iterative design approach that requires extended trials to reach a span that meets the required building functionality and expected budget. 

ClearCalcs provides a load-linking function that allows the user to [link load reactions](https://support.clearcalcs.com/article/24-linking-reactions-between-beams-and-columns-load-path-tracking) between steel beams and [columns](https://clearcalcs.com/calculations/steelColumnASD). This feature simplifies this iterative design approach that requires extensive trials to arrive at a span that aligns with the required building functionality and anticipated budget.

##  Steel Beam Size Calculator

A steel beam size calculator is invaluable for anyone designing, constructing, or renovating structures incorporating steel beams. This highly effective tool allows professionals to determine the dimensions of steel beams for structural purposes precisely. 

Whether you are an engineer, architect, or DIY enthusiast, this steel beam sizing calculator is a time-saving device that facilitates the accurate sizing of steel beams.

### How To Calculate Steel Beam Size

The beam size calculation is an iterative design procedure that selects the best steel section to carry the imposed loads while maintaining a safe behavior. 

This process requires calculating the beam's section properties and reactions to the applied load and utilizing the steel material grade to ensure that the beam will stay safe when the external loads are applied. Besides, calculating the size of a steel beam requires considering the limits for bending moment and shear force.

![Steel beam size selector in ClearCalcs steel beam calculator](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_steel_beam_size_calculator_98c62a8fe8.png)

Therefore, using the member database and easy-to-use section definition option in the Steel Beam (ASD) Calculator to AISC 360-16 (ASD) allows for swiftly checking the capacity of many sections against the applied loads, making it less daunting to find the most suitable section from thousands available sections. Additionally, it offers a free steel beam sizing calculator option for trials. 

## Steel Beam Load Calculator

The steel beam load calculator is an essential tool for precisely finding the load-bearing capacity of steel beams. This tool simplifies the process of computing support reactions. Additionally, you can better understand these computations by visualizing the loads through the free-body diagram included in the summary section.

### How To Calculate Steel Beam Loads

Calculating the load a steel beam can support is crucial for structural design and safety. 

Accurately determining the maximum load a steel beam can sustain is an intricate process that goes far beyond just a simple understanding of the beam's fundamental characteristics.The complexity of this task requires not just a knowledge base but also an adept application of multifaceted concepts. 

Understanding physical parameters is essential for forming the core foundation. These parameters include dimensions, cross-sectional shape, grade of steel used, and the beam's modulus of elasticity. These are the critical elements every engineer would be conversant with and use as the baseline for their calculations.

However, to understand the beam's load-bearing capability, one must investigate the structure's force and deflection demand/capacity conditions. Furthermore, the load types and load combinations must be carefully checked to align with the specific standard requirements. It is also crucial to underscore that the intricacy of the load analysis could fluctuate greatly depending on the beam type. This necessitates a tailored approach for each unique project to ensure accurate load analysis. 

![Steel beam load calculator with ClearCalcs Steel Beam Calculator](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_steel_beam_load_calculator_8c8e819b04.png)

To facilitate this detailed and precise analysis, our load calculator employs the advanced method of finite element analysis. This computational tool breaks down the beam into a number of 'finite' elements and computes the behavior of each under the applied loads. By performing this, our approach to load analysis offers an in-depth, meticulous perspective on the structure's load-bearing capabilities.

In this regard, the Steel Beam (ASD) Calculator to AISC 360-16 (ASD) ensures maximum load calculation through an efficient process that involves understanding the properties of the beam and using our finite element load analysis procedure to obtain internal forces and reactions. 

This feature eliminates human errors and allows for rapid calculation, making it highly suitable for complex projects.

## Steel Beam Load Capacity Calculator

The steel beam load capacity calculator is a must-have tool for engineers and builders working with steel beams. It simplifies the intricate task of determining the load capacity of steel beams, making the design process less daunting and more accurate.

### How To Calculate Steel Beam Load Capacity

The load capacity of a steel beam involves collecting the beam's properties, the material's strength, and internal forces in the beam. 

After that, the moment of inertia and section modulus is calculated, and a section analysis is performed to compute the beam's load capacity. 

With the help of the Steel Beam (ASD) Calculator to AISC 360-16 (ASD), this task becomes convenient, facilitating a detailed, precise, and timely design process.

#### Beam Types by Section Type
Steel beams are highly regarded as the quintessential structural design element and are available in various shapes. Each type holds unique characteristics that make them appropriate for different construction projects. 

Each beam type has unique strengths, weaknesses, and appropriate uses based on its structural design. Therefore, engineers and architects must select the beam that best suits their project needs, ensuring safety and efficiency. 

## I Beam Calculator
A vital form of these beams is the I-Beam, alternatively referred to as a universal beam, marked by its unique I-shaped cross-section. The vertical element, known as the "web", is responsible for enduring the majority of the structure's shear stresses. Meanwhile, the horizontal elements or "flanges" located at the top and bottom counteract most of the bending movement. 

The steel i beam calculator can be utilized to determine specific parameters for these beams. 

Predominantly, I-beams find extensive usage in the construction of buildings, civil and industrial structures. This can be attributed to their efficient load-bearing capacity and their inherent capability to withstand bending and shearing forces. 

## I Beam Load Capacity Calculator

The ClearCalcs Steel Beam Calculator allows you to determine the load capacity of an I-beam by considering factors like the material properties, beam dimensions, and the type of load applied. By inputting the relevant information, the calculator performs the necessary calculations to provide you with an accurate estimation of the beam's load capacity.

## I Beam Deflection Calculator

The ClearCalcs Steel Beam Calculator can also help you evaluate the deflection or bending of an I-beam under a given load. By inputting the load information, beam properties, and supports, the calculator determines the deflection of the beam, allowing you to assess its structural performance and suitability for your specific application. 

## I Beam Span Calculator

When determining the span or length that an I-beam can safely support without excessive deflection or failure, the ClearCalcs Steel Beam Calculator comes in handy. By considering factors such as the beam material, load type, and support conditions, the calculator calculates the maximum span that the I-beam can safely handle.

## I Beam Size Calculator

The ClearCalcs Steel Beam Calculator assists you in selecting the appropriate size of an I-beam based on your desired load capacity and span requirements. By inputting the load information and specifying the desired safety factor, the calculator determines the optimal size of the I-beam, considering factors such as deflection limits and structural stability. This ensures that the selected I-beam will meet the necessary strength and performance criteria for your specific application, providing confidence in the structural integrity of your design.

## H Beam Calculator

The H-Beam, as the name implies, resembles the letter 'H' in its cross-section. Its distinguishing characteristic is that the width of its flanges equals the 'web' height, creating a square look. This wider flange distribution allows H-beams to bear heavier loads, making them preferred in multi-story buildings, bridges, and platforms where higher load capacity is required. 

#### Beam Types by Function

In structural design, different types of steel beams play integral roles in fulfilling specific functions, each one tailored to withstand the project's demands. 

Each of these steel beams can be tailored to the specific project's needs, with their specifications calculated meticulously based on the intended function. 

![Different type of steel beam presets](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_steel_beam_presets_dcc2bf6fb8.png)

It is worth noting that there are multiple built-in ready templates in the Steel Beam (ASD) Calculator to AISC 360-16 (ASD) where it is possible to rapidly design and analyze such functions using this easy-to-use steel beam calculator while [being able to switch from one function to another in a matter of seconds](https://support.clearcalcs.com/article/25-how-to-change-materials-for-example-swap-templates-between-timber-and-steel). 

### Steel Joist Calculator

Steel joists are typically employed in flooring systems and low-slope roofs. These elongated members, generally smaller and lighter than main structural beams, span between beams or walls to distribute loads across a larger area, thereby reducing the pressure exerted on a single point. 

Steel joists also have excellent weight-to-strength ratios, offering a cost-effective and versatile solution for different structural requirements. 

### Steel Rafter Calculator

Rafters, primarily designed as inclined beams, are vital components when considering roof construction. 

Traditionally shaped as a triangular prism, steel rafters provide robust support to the roof deck, distributing the load from the roof covering and wind pressures towards the supporting walls.

### Retaining Wall Sleeper Calculator

Retaining wall sleepers include steel beams that function as horizontal supports, typically used in landscaping and earth retaining systems. These beams are buried partially into the ground, creating a wall that prevents soil from eroding or collapsing. 

The sturdy nature of steel, coupled with its resistance to rot and insects, makes it a preferred choice for sleepers. 

The strength of a steel sleeper beam is determined by various factors, including the soil type, the height of the wall, and the load applied to the ground above it. 

### Cantilever Steel Beam Calculator

Cantilever steel beams are unique for their ability to extend unsupported at one end, carrying loads along their length to their support at the other end. 

This distinctive feature enables them to support overhangs, balconies, and specific architectural features where traditional support is impractical or undesired aesthetically. They offer an excellent design solution requiring a clear span with no obstructions below.

Steel Beam (ASD) Calculator to AISC 360-16 (ASD)

Steel Beam (LRFD) Calculator to AISC 360-16 (LRFD)

## Steel Column Design

Steel column design is a detailed structural engineering procedure to determine a steel column's appropriate dimensions and properties. It involves analyzing the loads and forces the column will experience and calculating the dimensions and properties necessary to ensure strength and stability. 

The steel column design process considers factors such as the column's cross-sectional area, length, eccentricity (the displacement of the load from the column's center), and the need for additional reinforcement, such as lateral ties or bracing.

The goal of steel column design is to create a column that can safely support the anticipated loads and maintain structural integrity.

### Steel Column Design to AISC 360-16 (ASD)
[AISC 360-16](https://www.steel.org.au/resources/elibrary/library/ansi-aisc-360-16-specification-for-structural-steel-buildings/), also known as the American Institute of Steel Construction's Specification for Structural Steel Buildings, is a widely recognized standard used in the design and construction of steel structures, including steel column design. 

This specification provides guidelines, requirements, and design provisions for engineers to ensure steel columns' safe and efficient design.

When applying AISC 360-16 to steel column design, several key provisions are considered. These provisions include:

#### Material Properties: 

The specification outlines the material properties of structural steel, including its strength, yield stress, and other mechanical properties. These properties are essential for determining the capacity and behavior of the steel column.

#### Load Considerations: 

AISC 360-16 provides guidance on determining the appropriate loads to be considered in steel column design. This includes dead loads (permanent loads), live loads (temporary loads), wind loads, seismic loads, and other relevant forces the column will be subjected to during its lifetime.

#### Design Methods: 

The specification offers various design methods for different column types, such as compression members, flexural members, and beam-columns. These methods help engineers calculate the required dimensions, section properties, and capacities of the steel column based on the applied loads and structural configurations.

#### Stability and Buckling: 

AISC 360-16 addresses the stability of steel columns and provides criteria to prevent buckling or excessive lateral deflection. It includes provisions for evaluating column slenderness ratios, effective lengths, and the selection of appropriate bracing systems to ensure column stability.

#### Connection Design: 

The specification also covers the design of connections between steel columns and other structural members. It provides guidelines for the selection, sizing, and detailing of connections to ensure proper load transfer and overall structural integrity.

## Steel Column Design Software vs. Hand Calculations	
Steel Column Design Software is a powerful tool that simplifies and automates the intricate calculations involved in designing steel columns. It outperforms the manual calculations traditionally done by hand, offering enhanced efficiency and accuracy.  

This software caters to various column types, including generic concentrically-loaded, interior isolated, and exterior outdoor exposed columns.

Aspect | Steel Column Design Software | Hand Calculation
---|---|---
Complexity | Simplifies complex calculations | Required expertise and meticulousness
Flexibility | Offers flexibility and customization option | Limited customization
Error Reduction | Minimizes errors through automation | Susceptible to errors and miscalculations
Load Considerations | Considers various load conditions | Relies on manual assessment of load factors
Design Code Compliance | Ensures adherence to design codes | Manual verification required
Documentation | Generates detailed reports and documentation | Requires manual record-keeping
Learning Curve | Requires learning software interface | Requires understanding of formulas and manual calculations
Updates and Enhancements | Can be updated with new features and improvements | Relies on manual implementation of new methods

## Components of Steel Columns Calculations

The design process involves determining the column's capacity, stability, and behavior under different loads. Here are the key components involved in the calculations for steel columns:
1.	**Load Analysis**: These loads can include axial compression, bending moments, shear forces, and eccentric loads.
2.	**Column Cross-Section**: Common shapes include I-sections, H-sections, and box sections.
3.	**Material Properties**: Consider the properties of the steel material being used, such as yield strength and modulus of elasticity.
4.	**Effective Length**: Determine the effective length of the column, which depends on the support conditions and the column's end restraints. 
5.	**Slenderness Ratio**: The slenderness ratio helps determine the column's buckling capacity and the type of buckling mode (elastic or inelastic) it may experience.

## Steel Column Size Calculation

Steel column size calculation entails establishing the necessary dimensions for a column in a structural steel system, such as cross-sectional area and length.

![Common cross sectional shapes of steel columns](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.amazonaws.com/BLOG_steel_column_shapes_png_aac0192fd3.png)
_Figure 1: Common cross-sectional shapes of steel columns_

### How to calculate steel column size for residential or light commercial buildings?

Use the formula 
Pu = φc × Pn = φc × Fc × A

to calculate the maximum factored load (Pu) in order to estimate the size of the steel column needed for residential or light commercial structures. 

The critical compressive stress (Fc) is dependent on the column's slenderness ratio (KL/r), whereas the resistance factor (φc) is normally 0.85 for columns. Make sure the slenderness ratio is within the allowed ranges (for practical usage, 120). 

Finally, get the necessary cross-sectional area (A) of the column.

## Steel Column Capacity

Steel column capacity refers to the maximum load a steel column can bear without failure. It is determined by factors like column dimensions, material strength, and design considerations.

### How to calculate load carrying capacity of steel column?
Follow these procedures to determine the load bearing capability of a steel column:
1.	Determine the column's cross-sectional area (A) as A = b * d (for rectangular columns) or A = π* r2 (for circular columns).
2.	Calculate the slenderness ratio (λ): = (K * L) / r, where K is the effective length factor, L is column length, and r is gyration radius.
3.	Using Euler's formula, calculate the critical buckling load (Pcr): Pcr = (π^2 * E * I) / (K * L)^2, where E is the elastic modulus and I is the moment of inertia.
4.	Determine the steel's allowed stress (σ-allow).
5.	Determine the load bearing capacity (P-allow) using the formula: P-allow = A * σ-allow.

## Steel Column Load Calculation

Steel column load calculation is the process of determining the maximum vertical load that a column can bear, considering factors like effective length and axial loads.

### How to calculate the axial load on a steel column

To calculate the axial load on a steel column for residential or light commercial buildings, sum up the dead load, live load, and other loads. Apply appropriate load factors based on building codes. 

Use the formula P = (DL + LL + OL) / A, where 

- P is the axial load
- DL is the dead load
- LL is the live load
- OL is the other load
- A is the cross-sectional area of the column

## Worked example: How to calculate I-beam column load capacity with ClearCalcs

Consider a steel frame elevation at the location of an outside wall. The column is constrained laterally. The column is laterally unbraced throughout its whole height in relation to the x axis. The presence of horizontal framing in the wall plane, on the other hand, offers lateral bracing with regard to the section's y axis. 

What is the maximum calculated compression load for an HP10x42 A36 steel column with a length of 3.5 m?   

To calculate the maximum factored compression load on an I-beam column using ClearCalcs with the provided parameters:
1.	Open the ClearCalcs Steel Column (ASD) Calculator to AISC 360-16 (ASD)
2.	Select the HP10x42 I-beam column of steel.
3.	Set continuous bracing to "No" for the x-axis, indicating that the column is laterally unbraced in that direction.
4.	Specify that the column is laterally restrained, providing lateral bracing in the y-axis due to the horizontal framing in the wall plane.
5.	Enter the length of the column as 3.5 m.
6.	Input the floor loads: 20 kN for the dead load and 40 kN for the live load.

### Reference
Ambrose, J. and Tripney, P. (2011). Simplified Engineering for Architects and Builders. 11th ed. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Steel Column (ASD) Calculator to AISC 360-16 (ASD)

Steel Column (LRFD) Calculator to AISC 360-16 (LRFD)

Steel Member (Design Only) Calculator to AISC 360-16

## Cold Formed Steel Design

### What is Cold-Formed Steel Design?

Cold-formed steel design refers to the process of designing and analyzing structural members and systems made from cold-formed steel. Products made from cold-formed steel are shaped from a flat sheet of steel at room temperature to create a new shape with increased strength. This design process entails considering various key factors, including local buckling and postbuckling strength of thin compression elements, torsional rigidity, stiffeners in compression elements, end bearing strength of webs, thickness limitations, and the impact of cold work during forming.

Professional engineering design is made easier with the use of cold-formed steel software like CFS Designer Beam. Complete frames and beam-column systems, as well as their constituent elements, may be analyzed and optimized with this program. All the way from tiny beams to massive frames and columns, cold-formed steel design has a broad variety of uses. Engineers guarantee the secure and economical use of cold-formed steel in a variety of structural projects by using the principles of cold-formed steel design. These projects include buildings, bridges, and industrial facilities.

## CFS Beams Section Types

Cold-formed steel (CFS) beams are adaptable structural components frequently utilized in building construction. They are available in a wide range of section types to cater to varying load capacities. 

![Common cold-formed sections used in structural framing](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/CALCULATION_cold_formed_steel_types_e22a372af6.png)
_Common cold-formed steel sections used in structural framing_

Cee sections, sometimes known as lipped channels, are a frequent form. Cee sections have a C-shaped profile with flanges on one side, increasing their strength and stability. The Zee section is another variant; it resembles the Cee section but has flanges on both ends for improved strength under pressure.

Stiffened flange double-channel I beams are another common CFS beam segment. Having two parallel channels that are coupled by interconnected stiffeners, these beams are very resistant to bending and torsion. CFS beams may also be hat portions with or without intermediate stiffeners. These pieces may be used in many different ways because of their hat-like design.

Other forms such as box sections, U sections, and others are also available and serve particular structural purposes. Eaves struts, purlins, girts, joists, studs, and stud walls are just some of the many places you'll encounter CFS beams. They are widely used in modern steel construction because of their durability, portability, and simplicity.

### Simple CFS Beam Design

Cold-formed steel beams with a C-shaped profile are used in the simple CFS beam design. These sections are frequently used in structural applications because they successfully balance strength and efficiency. Their extensive use is a result of their simple shape and simple manufacture.

### Back-to-Back CFS Beam Design

Two cold-formed steel (CFS) beams are connected end-to-end and placed parallel to one another in a back-to-back CFS beam design. Applications where improved strength and rigidity are required with minimal material utilization would benefit from this arrangement due to its increased load-carrying capacity and stiffness.

### Boxed CFS Beam Design

Cold-formed steel constructions that employ closed box-shaped sections (for example, the k, p and q sections shown below) are known as boxed CFS beams. These parts provide excellent lateral stability, strong torsional stiffness, and unaltered bending strength even at large length-to-width ratios.

## Cold-Formed Steel Design Software

Cold-formed steel design software, commonly referred to as CFS design software or cfs cold formed steel design software, is a specialized tool utilized by structural engineers. It combines particular design codes, computation methods, and analytical tools made for cold-formed steel structures. In order to design cold-formed steel structures effectively and precisely, this program automates load calculations, member size, and detailing procedures.

## Cold-Formed Steel Beam Calculator

A cold-formed steel beam calculator is a tool used in structural design and analysis to calculate the dimensions and load-bearing capability of cold-formed steel beams.

### How to Calculate Cold-Formed Steel Beam?

Use these procedures to compute a cold-formed steel beam:

a)	Find the critical section's maximum bending moment (M).
b)	Use S = (M / Fb) to determine the section modulus (S).
c)	Choose a cold-formed steel shape that has the necessary section modulus.
d)	Using the proper calculation, check the deflection.
e)	Check the beam's resistance to axial and shear stresses.
Note: Fb stands for the permitted bending stress.

### How to use Cold-Formed Steel Beam Calculator

To utilize the ClearCalcs Cold-Formed Steel Beam Calculator, choose the "Cold Formed Steel Beam" tab under Beams. Select the desired application location.

![cold-formed-steel-beam-presets.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/cold_formed_steel_beam_presets_e5a486d6b5.png)
 In the subsequent window, input parameters like section type, beam length, and load types/values. The calculator uses this information to analyze the beam's performance, providing crucial results for structural engineering assessments.
 
 
![cold-formed-steel-beam-key-properties.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/cold_formed_steel_beam_key_properties_50db92126d.png)
![cold-formed-steel-beam-loads-input.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/cold_formed_steel_beam_loads_input_01d4db35ae.png)
 
  
 ## Cold Formed Steel Framing Software

Cold Formed Steel Framing Software is a specialized tool used by structural engineering professionals to design and analyze steel frames made from cold-formed steel sections.

### What is CFS Framing?

CFS framing refers to the construction method that utilizes cold formed steel members to create structural frames. Strength and durability are provided by this adaptable, lightweight construction technique. To design, analyze, and optimize CFS structures, engineers frequently use specialist cold-formed steel framing software.


Cold-Formed Steel Beam Calculator to AISI S100-2016 (Supp 1)

## Cold-Formed Steel (CFS) Column/Stud Calculator to AISI S100-16 

Some Like It Cold!

For thousands of years, people were used to serving tea boiling hot, till some genius housekeeping in Old Virginia came up with the idea of “iced tea” in 1879. In a similar, albeit much rougher and less sweet context, some bright engineers realized that steel can still be a versatile construction material even when it’s formed and rolled coldly.

Cold-formed sections are made from steel sheets, plates, strips, or flat bars in roll-forming machines, by press brake or bending brake operations [1]. They offer a number of advantages for the design and construction of buildings, and they also have their unique challenges. In addition to a brief introduction to these cons and pros, this short article will tell you about the design of CFS columns/studs based on AISI S100-16.  

### Cold-Formed Steel Column Design

#### Good Things about Designing with CFS
In comparison with hot-rolled steel, here are a number of things to like about CFS [1]:
- Manufacturable for relatively light loads and/or short spans which makes it a great choice for light-weight construction.
- Favorable strength-to-weight ratios which is a highly desirable engineering parameter.
- Compact packaging and shipping which makes it more economical.

In comparison with timber and concrete, however, you can consider the following:
- Lightness plus high strength/stiffness reduce the overall weight of the structure.
- Easy prefabrication, erection, and installation can shorten the execution time and increase profitability. 
- Higher recyclability (good news for the environment)
- Formwork is not required (phew! Right?)
- More accurate detailing leads to a more uniform quality in construction.

### Challenges about Designing with Cold-Formed Steel (CFS)
In comparison with hot-rolled steel, there are a few extra challenges to address [1]:
- CFS sections are usually quite thin (starting from around 0.4mm). This makes the good ol’ Depth-to-Tickness ratio more critical, and hence, most of the sections buckle before yielding.
- Again, due to low thicknesses, bearing (web-crippling) is an important issue and webs can easily buckle under concentrated loads (bottom supports or top point loads).
- Torsional rigidity: for open sections (which is highly common in CFS) this parameter is proportional to the third power of their thickness. Also, CFS sections come in all sorts of shapes that can have one or no axis of symmetry, making them even more susceptible to increased torsional loads. These factors make torsional–flexural buckling a critical check on the list for the design of compression members (such as CFS columns/studs).

Due to these additional complexities in their behavior, CFS sections might require finite element/strip analysis, meaning that a reliable software solution is essential. 

### How to Use the Cold-Formed Steel (CFS) Stud Calculator 

Speaking of a reliable software tool, do you happen to know something that can design CFS columns/studs based on the latest provisions in AISI S100-16 (2020), includes a large database of standard CFS sections, provides a feature to analyze custom sections, and takes care of all the complicated analysis stuff with ease and speed? 

Well, we have good news! At ClearCalcs, we have developed a cloud-based Cold-Formed Steel Stud/Column Calculator which is capable of doing all the above and more. 

Our Cold-Formed Steel Stud/Column Calculator starts by asking for the Key Properties, namely, the section designation, the column height, and the unbraced lengths in strong, weak, and torsion axes. Just click on the Select button and explore a large set of standard CFS sections for your choosing. 

![calcsUS-cold-formed-steel-stud-key-properties.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_cold_formed_steel_stud_key_properties_458c565d9c.png)

Afterward, you can define the loading on the column using the input widgets. Also, you can use a cool feature that we have to link the loads from another calculator, say the [Cold-Formed Steel Beam Calculator to AISI S100-16 (2020)](https://clearcalcs.com/calculations/cfsSteelBeamAISI).

![calcsUS-cold-formed-steel-stud-load-linking.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_cold_formed_steel_stud_load_linking_7c97fd7638.png)
![calcsUS-cold-formed-steel-stud-load-input.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_cold_formed_steel_stud_load_input_dc58069d49.png)

What’s to do next? On your side, nothing! All the calculations for member properties, load combinations (ASCE 7-10, Section 2), and capacity checks will be automatically calculated and implemented in the design. What do the outcomes look like? They will be neatly arranged into the Summary section with traffic light checks, similar to the below:

![calcsUS-cold-formed-steel-stud-summary-outputs.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_cold_formed_steel_stud_summary_outputs_637ac737e4.png)

Here, you can see the utilization ratios for Yielding and Global Buckling Capacity (AISI S100-16, E2), Local Buckling (Direct Strength Method, AISI S100-16, Cl E3.2), and Distortional Buckling (Direct Strength Method, AISI S100-16, Cl E4). 

Another nice thing about this calculator is that you can simply follow where every piece of the calculations comes from. As the name ClearCalcs indicates, we keep our calculations transparent and easy to read. For example, if you want to know what the Reduced Companion Live Load is, you just have to click on the little arrow on the left of its corresponding widget and you will see this:

![calcsUS-cold-formed-steel-stud-references.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_cold_formed_steel_stud_references_41721996f3.png)

Last but not least, it’s quite likely that in the near future we will link these references to a [Standards Sidebar](https://clearcalcs.com/standards) so that whenever you click on the clause, it will quickly show up on the left with all the information you need about it. Honestly, it’s so cool! Try one of our calculators to [Australian standards](https://clearcalcs.com/standards) and see what we mean.

### Conclusion

CFS can be an excellent choice for many aspects of design and construction in lightweight projects. But when it comes to analysis, CFS can be a bit of a troublemaker unless you have already found a proper software solution. 

ClearCalcs offers the Cold-Formed Steel Stud/Column Calculator based on AISI S100-16 (2020) which is developed by experts in the field, has a fairly easy-to-use interface, and undergoes monitoring using strict quality-assurance procedures.

### References
1. Cold-Formed Steel Design, 4th Edition; Wei-Wen Yu, Roger A. LaBoube; John Wiley & Sons; 2010
2. AISI S100-16(2020) w/S2-20: AISI STANDARD Supplement 2 to the 2016 Edition of the North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members
3. ASCE/SEI 7-16: AISC Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures




Cold-Formed Steel Stud / Column Calculator to AISI S100-2016 (Supp 1)

Spread Footing Calculator to ACI 318-14

Wall Footing Calculator to ACI 318-14

Cantilever Retaining Wall (IBC 2018, ASCE 7-16)

Rectangular Concrete Beam Calculator to ACI 318-14

Rectangular Concrete Column Calculator to ACI 318-14

Custom Cross-Section Properties Calculator 

Custom Thin-Walled Section Properties Calculator

Cross-Section Database Calculator

Beam Analysis with Load Combinations (ASD) Calculator to IBC 2009-2018, IRC 2009-2018, ASCE 7-10 & 7-16

Beam Analysis with Load Combinations (LRFD) Calculator to IBC 2009-2018, IRC 2009-2018, ASCE 7-10 & 7-16

Wall Analysis (ASD) Calculator to IBC 2009-2018, IRC 2009-2018, ASCE 7-10 & 7-16

## Wind Load Calculation

### What is Wind Load Calculation
When engineers design and construct structures, [wind loads is one of the critical factors to be considered](https://clearcalcs.com/blog/load-transfer-in-residential-structures-from-roof-to-foundation) to ensure the structure’s safety and durability. Wind load refers to the force or pressure exerted by the wind on a structure. To accurately estimate this force, engineers perform wind load calculations.

A wind load calculation involves taking into account several factors. These include the wind speed, the size and orientation of the structure, and other relevant parameters. By considering these variables, engineers can determine if a structure can withstand the forces generated by the wind. Accurate wind load calculation can prevent structural failure, extensive property damage, and, in extreme cases, the loss of human lives.

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has developed a comprehensive guide, known as ASCE 7-16, to specify the wind load calculation procedures in the United States. This standard provides engineers with formulas and procedures tailored to specific site characteristics and building properties. 

## Components of Wind Load Calculation
This section explains various important components of wind load calculation. 

### Wind Speed to Wind Load Calculation
When calculating wind load, one of the critical steps involves converting wind speed into wind load, helping engineers understand the force exerted on the structure at various wind speeds.

This force is typically measured in pounds per square foot (psf) or Pascals (Pa) if the metric system is being used.

![calcs-wind-loads-key-properties.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_wind_loads_key_properties_244f362eb5.png)

### Force Coefficient in Wind Load Calculation
The force coefficient, also referred to as the pressure or drag coefficient, is a vital element in wind load calculation. 

This factor represents the wind's impact on a structure, considering its shape, size, and orientation relative to the wind direction. The force coefficient allows engineers to predict how efficiently the wind flows around a structure and the level of pressure exerted on it.

![calcs-wind-pressure-coefficients.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_wind_pressure_coefficients_4cd1c1a511.png)

### Wind Uplift Load Calculation
Wind uplift load calculation is a crucial consideration in designing specific structures, such as roofs and bridges. This calculation estimates the upward force that wind can apply to parts of the structure. 

ClearCalcs can automatically determine the elevation of the site above sea level based on the address of the project site specified in the calculator. This is used to calculate the Ground Elevation Factor.

![calcs-wind-ground-elevation.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_wind_ground_elevation_de8d2cbd06.png)

If not adequately accounted for, this upward force could lead to dangerous situations like roof blow-off or even structural collapse.

## How to Use Wind Load Analysis Calculator

ClearCalcs offers wind load calculator software that allows structural engineers to perform comprehensive wind analysis quickly and efficiently to the ASCE 7-16 requirements.

The calculator is divided into 3 sections:
- **Key Properties**, where you can specify the type of calculation required (Components and Cladding or Envelope Procedure), the location of the site, and the exposure category. The exposure category determines the level of wind exposure at the site. 
- **Building Properties**, where building data is required, such as the type of roof used, the dimensions, and the geometry of the roof, and whether or not the building is enclosed.
- **Terrain Properties**, where information about ground elevation and the presence of a hill or escarpment can be added to the wind load calculation.

## Use Cases of Wind Load Analysis Calculator

### Wind Load Calculation On Walls

In general, walls and claddings are directly impacted by wind loads, making it crucial to accurately and practically consider these forces. ClearCalcs' wind load calculator is a valuable tool because it takes into account the wind pressure on the main wind force resisting system (MWFRS) or the cladding of a building. This helps ensure that walls and claddings are designed to withstand the forces imposed by wind effectively.

![calcs-wind-ground-elevation.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_wind_ground_elevation_de8d2cbd06.png)

The ClearCalcs wind load calculator can also be dynamically linked to shear wall design with [Diaphragm Analysis](https://clearcalcs.com/calculations/diaphragmAnalysis) and [Wood Shear Wall Design](https://clearcalcs.com/calculations/timberShearWallASD) calculators. 

### Wind Load Calculation for Roof Trusses

Roof trusses are vital for structural safety in any roof design, as they must withstand wind forces. 

![calcs-wind-gable-roof.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_wind_gable_roof_e99d846b14.png)

The ClearCalcs wind load calculator is particularly useful for this purpose. Engineers can input specific parameters for roof trusses into the software, such as the roof pitch, angle, height, width, and length, which in turn calculates the wind pressures. 

This allows engineers to design resilient roof trusses capable of withstanding high wind forces, ensuring the safety and integrity of the roof structure.

### Wind Load Calculations On Monoslope Roofs

Monoslope roofs require special consideration when it comes to wind load calculations due to their unique design. Unlike traditional gable or hip roofs, monoslope roofs have a single sloping surface, often slanted in one direction. This design can affect the wind forces acting on the roof and the overall wind load calculation process.

Using ClearCalcs Wind Loads Analysis calculator, structural designers can easily specify the angle of the roof slope, and the dimensions and geometry of the roof to determine the distribution and magnitude of wind forces acting on the roof.

![calcs-wind-monoslope-roof.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_wind_monoslope_roof_f824339ffb.png)


Wind Loads - Components and Cladding & MWFRS Calculator to ASCE 7-16

Timber Beam Calculator to EN 1995-1-1:2004+A1:2008 (Eurocode 5) & EN 1990:2002

Timber Column Calculator to EN 1995-1-1:2004+A1:2008 (Eurocode 5) & EN 1990:2002

Steel Beam Calculator to EN 1993-1-1:2005 (Eurocode 3), EN 1993-1-5:2006, SCI Publication P360 (2011), JRC (2007) Commentary and Worked Examples to EN 1993-1-5

Steel Column Calculator to EN 1993-1-1:2005 (Eurocode 3), EN 1993-1-5:2006, SCI Publication P360 (2011), JRC (2007) Commentary and Worked Examples to EN 1993-1-5

Rectangular Concrete Beam Calculator to EN 1992-1-1:2004 (Eurocode 2)

Rectangular Concrete Column Calculator to Eurocode 2

Wood Beam Calculator to CSA O86:19, NBCC 2015, CWC Wood Design Manual 2017, American Wood Council Technical Report 14

Wind Loads (AS/NZS 1170.2) Calculator to AS/NZS 1170.2:2011 (Amdt 5)

Timber Beam Calculator to NZS 3603:1993 (Amdt 4)

Timber Column Calculator to NZS 3603:1993 (Amdt 4)

Quickly calculate a bushfire attack level using the simplified or complex methods in this BAL calculator to AS 3959 2018.

Bushfire Attack Level Calculator to AS 3959:201

Timber Beam Calculator to AS 1720.1:2010 (Amdt 3)

Timber Column Calculator to AS 1720.1:2010 (Amdt 3)

Timber Member (Design Only) Calculator to AS 1720.1:2010 (Amdt 3)

Timber Nail Calculator to AS 1720.1:2010

Timber Bolt Calculator to AS 1720.1:2010

Timber Screw Calculator to AS 1720.1:2010

Steel Beam Calculator to AS 4100:2020

Steel Column Calculator to AS 4100:2020

Steel Angle Lintel (old AS 4100:1998) Calculator to AS 4100:1998 (R2016)

Steel Member (Design Only) Calculator to AS 4100:1998 (R2016)

Cold-Formed Steel Beam Calculator to AS/NZS 4600:2018

Cold-Formed Steel Stud / Column Calculator to AS/NZS 4600:2018

Cold-Formed Steel Member (Design Only) Calculator to AS/NZS 4600:2018

Steel Bolt Calculator to AS4100:1998 (R2016)

Weld Connection Calculator to AS4100:1998 (R2016)

Rectangular Concrete Beam Calculator to AS 3600:2018 (Amdt 2)

Rectangular Concrete Column Calculator to AS3600:2018 (Amdt 2)

Concrete Development Length Calculator to AS 3600:2018 (Amdt 2)

One-Way Concrete Flat Slab Calculator to AS3600:2018 (Amdt 2)

Concrete Pad Footing Calculator to AS3600:2018 (Amdt 2)

Concrete Wall Footing Calculator to AS 3600:2018 (Amdt 2)

Steel Screw Pile Design Calculator to AS 2870:2011, AS 2159:2009

Sleeper Retaining Wall Calculator to AS 4678:2002, AS 2159:2009, AS 4100:2020 & AS4055:2012

L-Type Cantilever Retaining Wall Calculator to AS 4678:2002 & AS3600:2018 (Amdt 2)

Steel Beam Calculator to NZS 3404.1:1997 (Amdt 2)

Steel Column Calculator to NZS 3404.1:1997 (Amdt 2)

Wood Column Calculator to CSA O86:19, NBCC 2015, Wood Design Manual 2017, American Wood Council Technical Report 14

Steel Beam Calculator to CSA S16:19, NBCC 2015

Steel Column Calculator to CSA S16:19, NBCC 2015

## Concrete Masonry (CMU) Wall Design Calculator

The ClearCalcs Masonry Unit Wall Design Calculator (or CMU block wall calculator) is an outstanding tool for the design and analysis of reinforced masonry walls. 

The calculator is built to adhere to the standards outlined in the International Building Code (IBC) 2021 and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE-7) with the guidance of TMS402-16: Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures. 

This all-inclusive gravity wall design software offers a wide range of functionalities that improve design productivity and precision.

### Features of Concrete Masonry Wall (CMU) Design Calculator

- **Fast masonry design and analysis**: Fast design and analysis of a masonry gravity wall to IBC2021 and TMS402-16
- **Partially or fully grouted design capabilities**: Design with full grout in every block void, or partial grout only at the rebar spacings. The choice is up to you, the designer. 
- **Variety of block widths**: Supports blocks from 6 inch to 12 inch.
- **Customizable user-defined reinforcement spacing**: Place center-to-center rebars at any spacing of your choice
- **Multiple Units**: Whether you prefer working with imperial or metric units, our calculator supports both systems. Simply select your preferred unit system, and we’ll provide results in the chosen units.
- **Real-Time Results**: Instantly obtain the capacity of your gravity masonry wall based on the input parameters. 

### Concrete Masonry Wall Design and It Advantages 

Reinforced CMU wall design or CMU block wall design or concrete masonry wall design has many advantages over other wall designs such as:
- **Strength and Durability**: CMUs are known for their high compressive strength, making them suitable for load-bearing applications. Additionally, CMUs are resistant to rot and pests, enhancing their durability.
- **Cost-Effectiveness**: CMUs walls can be more cost-effective compared to traditional concrete walls for smaller scale projects. This is because the blocks are relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and no formwork is required to setup, reducing labor costs.
- **Thermal Insulation**: CMUs have inherent thermal insulating properties due to the air pockets within the blocks. This can contribute to energy efficiency in buildings by reducing heat transfer through walls and providing better temperature control.
- **Sound Insulation**: The density of CMUs helps to attenuate sound transmission, providing acoustic insulation in buildings. This can help reduce noise pollution from external sources and provide improved privacy and comfort within the structure.

### Key Sections in Concrete Masonry Wall (CMU) Design Calculator
- Masonry Properties
- Reinforcement Properties
- Load Combinations (ASCE 7-16)
- Out of Plane Shear (TMS 402-16 Cl.8.3.5)
- Out of Plane Bending + Axial Interaction Table (TMS 402-16 Cl.8.3.4 and MDG 2016 Ch.11.4.3)
- Summary comparing axial utilisation and resistance, shear capacity and utilisation and moment utilisation and resistance. 

### Who is Concrete Masonry Wall (CMU) Design Calculator for?

[Engineers](https://clearcalcs.com/persona/structural-engineer), [architects](https://clearcalcs.com/persona/architect), and [building designers](https://clearcalcs.com/persona/building-designer) can effortlessly input essential properties and dimensions, including wall height, wall block width, and masonry compressive strength, using this calculator. Moreover, the calculator allows customization of masonry unit density, rebar yield strength and yield bar reinforcement spacing, enabling a more thorough and detailed analysis.

Like other calculators provided by ClearCalcs, the Masonry Gravity Wall Calculator has gone through comprehensive reviews by experts and is constantly monitored for reliability and robustness.

The ClearCalcs Masonry Gravity Wall Calculator is versatile, accommodating different heights, lengths, and rebar spacings, among others. Due to its adaptability, it may be used to meet the needs of many different [residential](https://clearcalcs.com/use-case/residential-design) or light commercial projects.

### How to use the Concrete Masonry Gravity Wall Calculator

#### Determine and input wall height and other masonry properties such as density and compressive strength.

Use the ClearCalcs masonry gravity wall calculator to input the height of the wall and other customizable masonry properties with ease. Typical values used for masonry are pre-filled for convenience. 

![calcsUS-masonry-wall-properties.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_masonry_wall_properties_b3de9fe7f2.png)

#### Determine and input axial and out of plane loads.

The ClearCalcs calculator allows the swift input of various load types and patterns applied to the wall. This feature ensures the utmost flexibility in calculating loads, whether distributed lateral loads or line axial loads.

![calcsUS-masonry-wall-loads-input.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_masonry_wall_loads_input_52306917a2.png)

#### Select block width, rebar size, grade and spacing.

From 6-inch blocks up to 12-inch blocks, #3 bars up to #11 bars, whether grade 40 or grade 60, and at whatever spacing you need. ClearCalcs supports hundreds of combinations of block, reinforcement, and placement.

![calcsUS-masonry-wall-block-width.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_masonry_wall_block_width_7c245ce2e7.png)

![calcsUS-masonry-wall-reinforcement-properties.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_masonry_wall_reinforcement_properties_21fd52fa91.png)

#### Toggle the above selections until all the points are within the area of the curve.

ClearCalcs will automatically update the moment-axial capacity graph based on the inputs. Each combination of loading will also be plotted on the graph so you can see at once if there is enough capacity for each load.

![calcsUS-masonry-wall-moment-axial capacity-graph.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_masonry_wall_moment_axial_capacity_graph_65a9345517.png)

### Compare maximum axial, moment, and shear capacity and utilisation. 

Clearcalcs will report the maximum axial, shear, and moment forces, along with the maximum axial capacity considering slenderness, maximum moment considering applied axial forces and maximum shear capacity.

![calcsUS-masonry-wall-summary.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_masonry_wall_summary_567d81ea4f.png)



Masonry Gravity Wall (ASD)

Steel Base Plate (LRFD, ACI 318-14 / AISC 360-16)

## Wood Connectors Calculator

The ClearCalcs wood connectors calculator is an outstanding tool for the design and analysis of wood connections. The calculator is built to adhere to the standards outlined in the [International Building Code (IBC) 2021](https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IBC2021P1), [ASCE 7-16](https://sp360.asce.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Merchandise/Product-Details/productId/233133882) and specification catalogue of [Simpson Strong-Tie Wood Connectors](https://www.strongtie.com/engineeredwoodconnectors_woodconnectors/category). 

This all-inclusive wood connector software offers a wide range of functionalities that improve design productivity and precision.

ClearCalcs Wood Connector (ASD). This calculator can be used in conjunction with the ClearCalcs [Wood Beam (ASD) design module](https://clearcalcs.com/calculations/timberBeamASD). An engineer can design a wood beam in ClearCalcs, and link the designed beam into the ClearCalcs Wood Connector (ASD) module, that will automatically check whether or not the selected hanger is suitable based on the beam type, size and load from the beam design. 

### What is a wood connector and why are they important?

Many structural failures are caused by a connection failure. It doesn’t matter how strong the beam and [columns](https://clearcalcs.com/calculations/timberColumnASD) are if the beam isn’t attached to the column. 

Structural connections are crucial to consider in engineering design because they serve to join components of a structure together. Structural connections facilitate the transfer of different forces and loads between different elements of a structure. An engineered wood connector is a connector that joins structural wood frames together

### Engineered Wood Connector Calculator Features

#### Link from wood beam calculations

No more manually checking the load or dimension requirements. [By linking a ClearCalcs Wood Beam to a Wood Connector calculation](https://clearcalcs.com/features/load-linking), all the information of the size, type and load from the beam are automatically considered for quick selection of an entire catalogue of connectors. 

If your wood beam design is updated, the wood connector will automatically check if the existing hanger is still suitable to the new design.

#### Consideration of the supporting member dimensions

To prevent construction issues on site, ClearCalcs wood connectors calculator will ask for the dimensions of the supporting member to ensure that there is enough space and clearance to install the connector selected 

#### Input wood beam dimensions and load with ease

For full customizability and user flexibility, you can select any wood member from our catalogue of thousands of wood members and input any vertical load.

#### Load combinations to IBC 2021 and ASCE 7-16

Any inputted loads will be factored per the building code and design standards.

#### Color-Coded Utilization Checks

Verify your calculations at a glance with easy color-coded demand to capacity ratios using our traffic light system.

#### Find the Optimum Design with the Brick Selector

The selector will show a summary of critical checks for the given design so you can see at a glance what the most optimal section should be.

#### Multiple Units

Whether you prefer working with imperial or metric units, our calculator supports both systems. Simply select your preferred unit system, and we’ll provide results in the chosen units.

#### Real-Time Results

Instantly obtain the capacity of your gravity masonry wall based on the input parameters. 

### Key Sections in Wood Connectors Calculator
- Joist properties
- Supporting member properties
- Applied Loads
- Factored Loading
- Connector properties

### Who is the Wood Connectors Calculator for?

[Engineers](https://clearcalcs.com/persona/structural-engineer), [architects](https://clearcalcs.com/persona/architect), and [building designers](https://clearcalcs.com/persona/building-designer) can effortlessly input essential dimensions and loads into this calculator and be able to select from the Simpson Strong-Tie sizes catalogue of engineered wood connectors. Moreover, the calculator allows customization of linking to a wood beam design, enabling a quicker and more efficient analysis.

[Like other calculators provided by ClearCalcs](https://clearcalcs.com/calculations), the Wood connector Calculator has gone through comprehensive reviews by experts and is constantly monitored for reliability and robustness comparable to the Simpson Strong-Tie design software.

The ClearCalcs Wood Connector Calculator is versatile, accommodating different types and sizes of wood beams. Due to its adaptability, it may be used to meet the needs of many different projects.

### How to use the ClearCalcs engineered wood connector calculator

#### Input Joist Properties and Loads, or Link from a Wood Beam Design

Users can input their joist properties and loads manually from the joist properties section.

![calcsUS-wood-connectors-custom-joist.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_wood_connectors_custom_joist_b0f6f57913.png)
![calcsUS-wood-connectors-supporting-members.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_wood_connectors_supporting_members_0a4e8f2f3c.png)
![calcsUS-wood-connectors-applied-loads.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_wood_connectors_applied_loads_14dd2ca7cc.png)

Users can also link from an existing wood beam design to extract load, size and type information from any wood beam designed in ClearCalcs.

![calcsUS-wood-connectors-link-wood-beam.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_wood_connectors_link_wood_beam_e39b20c118.png)

![calcsUS-wood-connectors-link-beam.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_wood_connectors_link_beam_5ddfa7156b.png)

#### Browse the catalogue of connectors and select one. 

The wood connector calculation is an iterative design procedure that selects the best wood connector to carry the imposed loads from the wood beam while maintaining a safe behavior. 

Therefore, using the wood connector selector database in the Wood Connector (ASD) Calculator allows for swiftly checking the capacity of many connectors against the applied loads and geometry considerations, making it less daunting to find the most suitable connector from thousands of available connectors. 

The Wood Connector (ASD) Calculator includes face-mount hangers like [U Face-Mount Joist Hanger](https://www.strongtie.com/facemounthangers_engineeredwoodconnectors/u_hanger/p/u), [HU Heavy Face-Mount Joist Hanger](https://www.strongtie.com/facemounthangers_engineeredwoodconnectors/hu_hanger/p/hu), [HGU Heavy Girder Face-Mount Hanger](https://www.strongtie.com/facemounthangers_engineeredwoodconnectors/hgu_hanger/p/hgu); and top-flange hangers like [HWP High Wind Purlin Hanger](https://www.strongtie.com/topflangehangers_engineeredwoodconnectors/hwp_hanger/p/hwp), [BA Beam Hanger](https://www.strongtie.com/topflangehangers_engineeredwoodconnectors/ba_hanger/p/ba), and [HGLT Heavy Glulam Top-Flange Hanger](https://www.strongtie.com/topflangehangers_engineeredwoodconnectors/hglt_hanger/p/hglt).

![calcsUS-wood-connectors-selector-database.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/calcs_US_wood_connectors_selector_database_3360b4436f.png)

Wood Connectors (ASD)

Beam Analysis with Load Cases Calculator to AS1170.0:2002 (Amdt 5)

Wood Shear Wall (ASD) Calculator to AWC SDPWS 2021, AWC NDS 2018

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## About Brittell Architecture
Founded in 1972 and describing themselves as a second-generation ‘Family Business’, [Brittell Architecture](https://www.brittellarch.com/) believes that every design and construction project is a collaborative effort. To them - the more knowledgeable the customers are, the more likely they will participate in the design process and enjoy it. 

When we recently sat with Jim Fanjoy, the Project Architect at Brittell Architecture, we saw how the team demonstrates the spirit of constantly learning in their approach to structural design calculations. 

With a customer base consisting mainly of developers, businesses, and school corporations, Brittell Architecture currently serves clients in the Pacific Northwest region, especially in southwest Washington and the north Oregon coast.

"We generally do a little bit of everything focusing on light commercials and churches. But, recently, we've seen a shift towards educational projects and have been approached by clients wanting multifamily housing too.", Jim said.

With a team of five staff members and two licensed architects in-house, Brittell Architecture manages anywhere from 30 to 40 projects every year. As one of the lead architects at Brittell Architecture, Jim oversees about 70% of the projects at the firm. 

“We don’t do a lot of marketing. We get most of the projects that come to us through existing clients or direct referrals.”

## The Challenge

Jim's priority in his role is ensuring they provide quality service for their clients, which means responsive turnaround, accurate drawings, and in the end, making sure they are building a functional, efficient, pleasing, and durable structure for their customers. 

Ultimately, for Jim, "I feel successful when we reach the end of a project and a client is glad they hired us. One good indicator for me is that we have a lot of return clients with whom we’ve built strong relationships, and they keep coming back to us."

Typically, Jim said, once a client hires Brittell Architecture for a project, the team will go into a kick-off meeting to understand the expectations for schedule and budget. From there, the project fast-tracks into the design work.  

“We don’t usually get into anything related to structural engineering until at least halfway through the project.” 

Even though Brittell Architecture is not a structural engineering firm, the team still does many of its structural engineering calculations in-house. 

“We do most of our structural engineering in-house because it’s something we like and are fairly good at. Our projects are generally not complicated enough to require the level of expertise beyond what we can provide.”

### A simple alternative to hand calculations in spreadsheets and buggy software

In the past, Jim and his team have been solving their design calculations by combining spreadsheet-based calculators they generate in-house and other software like Strucalc. 

“Both were buggy and cumbersome to use,” explained Jim. 

To solve this challenge, a simple-to-use structural engineering resource that also offers them value for money is crucial to Jim and his team's workflow.

"We don’t have a big budget for an elaborate structural software suite, and that wouldn’t be a good use of our resources if we did because we wouldn’t use all of its functionality."

After searching online, Jim said ClearCalcs was one of two solutions that made the shortlist. 

“One of the things that initially got me excited about ClearCalcs is that the interface is really clean. It is intuitive and attractive, and it’s clear to me the software is easy to get a handle on.” 

![[BLOG] residential-architect-key-inputs.jpg](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/BLOG_residential_architect_key_inputs_4cd574139b.jpg)

"When Google first came out as a search engine, one of the things that they did that killed [the other search engines] is when you go to the Google homepage, there's a search bar and nothing else. It's something about the degree of simplicity that is comforting to users. And I totally fell for that when I first learned about ClearCalcs." 

“We have traditionally been hesitant to sign up for a subscription-based software, which almost stopped the deal. I was also worried that I would hate losing a degree of control over the files, given the software is cloud-based. But it hasn’t been a problem, and I appreciate that the software is constantly updated with the latest code information.”

“I also had great customer service before and after the sale. That meant a lot.” Jim added.

### Improving confidence with code reference and checks

After using ClearCalcs, Jim said there are two things about ClearCalcs that brought significant improvement to the team. 

“I like that ClearCalcs shows [the code reference section for each calculation and function](https://support.clearcalcs.com/article/22-checks-references-conditions-and-assumptions). That means every time I use it; there’s a potential for me to do some additional research and further deepen my understanding of the codes and how they affect design.”

![code-checks.png](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.amazonaws.com/code_checks_3c3689ed6b.png)

“The way it works in the state of Oregon and several other states in the US is architects are allowed to do structural engineering to the capacity that they deem themselves competent.”, Jim explained.

“This puts me in an interesting spot because I’m always learning more about structural engineering in the process of working with other structural engineers and doing my work.”

“One of the things that I dig about ClearCalcs is it has all those code references in there. So when I get to a part of the calculation that I'm not particularly familiar with, I can use that data to go directly to the code sourcebook, pull it apart, and find out why the calculation works that way”.

“It benefits me then because I become better at my job as an architect, and it also increases the reliability of my calculations.”

“I also like the clarity of how the calculations are organized and presented. They help me better understand the factors that affect the design in our projects and how to design more efficient structural solutions as a result.” 

### Cost-effective ways to run structural analysis and calculations

At Brittell Architecture, the team occasionally gets contracted for small consulting projects.

“With some of our institutional clients like a couple of school districts we work with, sometimes they’ll want to modify an existing building.”

“For example, we had a school district that wanted to remodel part of this shop and put a big overhead door in so they could get equipment in and out easier for the students. So really, all we were getting hired to do in that instance was to size some beams and figure out how physically it would work and reduce the structural calculations. In that situation, we start using ClearCalcs immediately.”

Even when the team is working on large projects involving structural engineers doing most of the structural design work, the team would still use ClearCalcs for ad-hoc decision-making during the project.

“The other day, for this school project we’re building a big gymnasium for, we had a contractor who wanted to look at an alternate system for the roof frame, and he wanted a rough estimate of the beam size. So, I figured it out in 15 minutes in ClearCalcs and sent it to him with the understanding that he could get the pricing based on the numbers.” 

“Eventually, it will go through the process before the contractor orders the material. And before we notify the building official, the structural engineer will look at it and make his calculation too.” 

A portion of Jim’s work also includes construction administration. On commercial and institutional projects, Jim said his role is to answer questions as they come up during construction. 

“For example, as part of this project, we’re modifying an additional locker room next to the building. When we took a wall out, we found the structure was nothing like what we thought it was on the existing drawing. So we had to go back and retroactively redesign a portion of an old building so that the new building could hook onto it correctly.

The contractor called me, and he was freaking out. So I pull up ClearCalcs and say, ‘you know, you could use an 11-inch joist, and it will work structurally.’ So we ended up having a couple of options, which still depends on what the structural engineers want to do, but with ClearCalcs, I can say that I’m confident that we can fit the structure into the space we have available.” concludes Jim.

## How has ClearCalcs changed the way Brittell Architecture operates as a business?
To Jim, using ClearCalcs as an architect has made him more confident in his structural engineering capabilities. 
 
“This may sound nerdy, but it’s fun to use.”, Jim said. 
 
“I told my colleagues that ClearCalcs is great because it has a simple, clean interface that allows you to get to work quickly and clearly shows what is happening in the calculation so you can make smart choices in structural design.”
 
“It also reduces errors, with a project organization system that helps you keep your work organized, and a way [to transfer loads from one member to the next](https://support.clearcalcs.com/article/24-linking-reactions-between-beams-and-columns-load-path-tracking), so you don’t have to update your calculations when you change the design.”
 
“I think our[ calculation packages for submittal are also more organized (and attractive)](https://support.clearcalcs.com/article/23-exporting-calculations-and-member-schedule) than before. That makes me feel more confident in our submittal.”

We chatted with Jim Fanjoy, Principal Architect at Brittell Architecture, about how ClearCalcs helps his company provide quality and responsive turnaround for its customers. 

Pier Footing Calculator to IBC 2021, ACI 318-19

Quickly analyse factored loads on a wall with the ClearCalcs Wall Analysis calculator. The calculator allows unlimited loads on the top of the wall and supports at the bottom of the wall, and automatically factors loads to Australian standards for fast analysis of strength and serviceability limit states to AS1170.0.

Wall Analysis Calculator

Aerial photography of rows of houses by Blake Wheeler

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# About Dynamic Analysis

[Dynamic Analysis](https://dynamic-mt.com/) is a boutique civil and structural engineering firm based in Billings, Montana. The company focuses on offering specialized consulting for residential and low-rise commercial projects.

We recently caught up with Sam, Dynamic Analysis’ Principal and an experienced engineer in mining, transport, and manufacturing construction. 

# The Challenge

According to Sam, Dynamic Analysis generally deals with an equal split of designing for new builds - whether they are additions, remodels, or entirely new buildings- and reviewing repair plans. 

“Our workflow is generally drafting a model of what we’re building, and then breaking them into sizing beams and foundations before using a program to determine environmental loading for wind and snow.”

While the company has used a structural design analysis and calculations software in addition to its own Excel spreadsheets before, Sam said, one of the limitations the team encountered was that the structural members are not tied together. 

“We’ll go through each structural member and go back and forth between drafting and running calculations. When there’s a clash in size, we would go back, reiterate through the building again.””The [product we used] was so cheap before that it just made tolerating the bugs and issues fine, but, when [the product we used] updated their pricing, all of a sudden it didn’t make a lot of sense.”

# How ClearCalcs helps

For Sam and his team, after starting to use ClearCalcs late last year. ClearCalcs has become the tool they use for almost all of their projects.

“We are juggling 7 to 9 projects right now with many more coming in. Most of them, small stuff, anything from people just wanting to open up a bearing wall and put a beam in which [ClearCalcs] has been pretty handy for, and then to just full new residential houses.”

“The usability of the software has been nice. It is very clear to see what the software is doing when it comes to the calculations.”

## Linking Loads Dynamically 

One feature that Sam found most valuable in ClearCalcs is being able to [link the load path dynamically](https://support.clearcalcs.com/article/24-linking-reactions-between-beams-and-columns-load-path-tracking) from one structural member to another. 

“Easily the worst part when using [the previous product] is having to update the calculations if we make any changes and having that roll through everything.”

Before using ClearCalcs, Sam and his team usually generate a printout that gave them individual dead loads, live loads, snow loads, and wind loads for each member. 

“So anytime there’s a change, you got to go back, start over and redo the first calculation, get those loads, pull up the next calculation, read over from one screen what those load reactions were, and enter them individually. It was just a massive time suck to make one small change.”

With ClearCalcs’ load linking feature, reactions between members as point loads or line loads are dynamically tracked, so the loads inherited into the lower member are always updated automatically.

“Just the simple feature of being able to link load is a really big time-saver,” Sam said.

## Automatically Generated Loads

Having the option to use presets in ClearCalcs’ calculations was also a useful feature for Sam and his team. 

For example, getting access to different presets like ridge beam, roof rafter, or ceiling joist with prefilled settings in [wood beam calculations](https://clearcalcs.com/calculations/us/timberBeamASD) means they can save time in their projects.

“Being able to be specific about what type of beam you’re using is really nice. If we’re sizing a Ridge Beam, it just automatically throws in what our snow loads are. All we need to do is assign the width of the building and then pick our beam; that’s the only two inputs it requires. It’s already got all the loads in there, and it figures out the tributary area and knows what forces are coming down on it. It just takes like  30 seconds.”

“It’s not something I ever really thought I needed, but it’s a handy feature.”

## Helpful Reports

The ClearCalcs’ automatically generated and standardized reports have also been indispensable to Sam and his team.

“We generally use the printout for our internal checks. When someone puts together a calculation, and it’s ready for review, we run through and look at what assumptions they’ve made in their calculations.“

“We find ClearCalcs report way more helpful than some of what we’ve seen in the market. For example, [with the previous product], I’d print out a report, and I just had no idea if it worked or not. It basically just puked out a ton of information, and I find myself asking, is this okay or not?”

In contrast, having ClearCalcs printouts break down our calculation into all the different failure modes and into what’s governing or where it’s failing is very valuable to Sam. 

“Especially for repair plans, then we can really demonstrate if we had got an issue, we can just run through existing conditions and say, okay, this is this type of failure or bending failure. When we run this member through with these loads, we’re seeing we’re at 400% capacity.”

“So everything checks out that this thing is failing in bending, we need to make something stronger.”

“We also keep a little catalog of all of our calculations. Depending on the jurisdictional area, they’ll sometimes require a calculation set for a permit plan review, so we’ll use those.”

Dynamic Analysis needed a new direction for their structural design calculations and ClearCalcs offers them what they needed and more. 

The ClearCalcs open-web steel joist (OWSJ) calculator is a user-friendly and efficient tool that enables engineers to swiftly design and analyze open-web steel joists (also known as bar joists) according to industry standards such as the Steel Joist Institute's SJI Load Tables. With easy data entry and dynamic load linking, engineers can quickly assess the adequacy of open-web steel joists, accompanying columns, and connections. By streamlining calculations and automating repetitive tasks, this calculator optimizes productivity and facilitates the exploration of different design configurations, ensuring reliable and efficient open-web steel joist systems.

Steel Joist Calculator

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Megan and her team at High Plains Enginering & Consulting recently adopted ClearCalcs as part of the company-wide initiative to do things better, so we sat with Megan to understand how ClearCalcs came to be the solution for her team, why did they chose us and if ClearCalcs is solving High Plains’ problem. 

# About High Plains Engineering

Located in Weld County out of Denver, Colorado, High Plains provides both structural and geotechnical engineering expertise for residential, commercial, and agricultural clients. 

“A lot of our clients are residential people coming in. They'll want to build a house. So they'll come in and they'll have like a sketch up of the layout that they want. So we put together the architectural plans and the structural plans, and then we'll go out and do the geo-tech as well.“

“We do a lot of pre-engineered metal building foundation. We also have a lot of agricultural clients up in Weld County, people who are building outhouses, pull barns and whatnots. So a lot of wood structures.”

# The Challenge

Megan, who recently joined the High Plains team, came in with the wealth of her experience in commercial buildings. One of the highest priorities right now is increasing the efficiency for her team. 

Being able to do designs quickly, Megan says will make a lot of difference to their workflow at High Plains.

## Ease of use and doing things faster 

For example, when training younger engineers, being able to to get them to go into ClearCalcs and learn to design quickly will be a big plus. 

 “We have engineer drafters who want to get more design experience. So being able to say that ‘hey, I want you to design this beam” instead of telling them what the beam design is and have them draft it is top priority for us.”

“That way we’re not wasting a ton of time going through designs, for example, what should take 30 seconds is taking 30 minutes.”

## Cloud-based for access anywhere, anytime

So far, being able to access ClearCalcs anywhere because the software is cloud-based is a major plus for Megan, especially as she looks to the future with her evolving role at High Plains. 

“So what I did when I first tried the software, I created a test project. And then I sent out an email to my whole team and say, ‘hey, I created this test project. Go in and play with it’. It was nice that no matter where we were, like today, we’re getting a ton of snow, so pretty much everybody’s working remotely. So it’s nice being able to have the ability for everybody to go in online and see each other calcs.”

## One-stop engineering software for everyone

Looking ahead, Megan aims streamline the use of ClearCalcs for the company’s entire operation. This means having not only engineers use ClearCalcs but also drafters and designers as well as reviewers so the entire QA & QC processes are streamlined and more efficient. 

“Hopefully I can get the entire team on the same page. What we want is one software that we can go to, to do 90% of our calculations.”

And most importantly, Megan believes having an inclusive software that is easy to learn and use for everyone is going to be the key for the team as High Plains continue to grow. 

“You know, the majority of the people at our company, we’re all about the same age. But what happens when, if, we hire somebody that’s 15 years older than us who’re set in his ways, or what happens when we hire somebody right out of school, who doesn’t necessarily familiar with the ins and outs of all software programs. So just the ease of learning the program is going to be top priority for when we grow as a company.”

High Plains Engineering & Consulting adopted ClearCalcs as part of the company-wide initiative to do things better.

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In second grade, Helen Watts declared that she wanted to be an engineer and build things. With a passion for turning design on paper into structures and buildings, Helen and Nathan Powelson, who also knew from a young age that he wanted to go into engineering, make up the structural expertise leaders at Criterium Engineers.

We sat with Helen and Nate, delving into the back-story of this powerful duo and how they are changing how engineering is done, turning it into a collaborative team process with the help of ClearCalcs. 

# About Criterium Engineers

Founded in 1957 and now one of the US-leading structural engineering consulting firms, Criterium Engineers helps building owners, homeowner associations, real estate investors, and contractors understand the buildings they own, manage, or purchase. 

In Helen’s own words: “We do a different bunch of core things at Criterium. One of them is what you call a traditional design shop, and then we also do reserve study for condominium associations, as well as building inspections.”

# How Criterium Engineers supercharge their design workflow with ClearCalcs

Across its offices, the company reviews about 200 engineering designs annually, 75% to 85% of which are done in ClearCalcs. 

“When structural things come up, it’s my job to make sure everyone in the organization know about it.”

One of Helen’s role as the structural expert leader is to allocate structural design work to the team within the organization. The design query could come externally from customers, or internally from Criterium Engineers’ many offices around the country, and the designs can vary from a straightforward to complicated.

## Speeding up routine design analysis

“The majority of our calculations, unless it’s something very odd, are done in ClearCalcs.”, Nate said.

According to Nate, in a lifecycle of the project, a client may approach Criterium and say, “Hey, I want to do this to my building. And we’ll say, okay, we can do some of that, but we can't take out all the supports in your house unless you want to run steel beams and turn it into a moment frame. And they're like, oh, that sounds expensive. We thought this was going to be pennies on the dollar.”

“And then we take what we do in ClearCalcs into CAD, or have someone drafted it, send it to the client.”

Nate concurs to the power of ClearCalcs in speeding up their work as a team.

![how_to_change_materials_clearcalcs.gif](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/how_to_change_materials_clearcalcs_e927842b24.gif)

“Here [at Criterium Engineers], we seem to get one request a week: ‘Hey, if I put this steel beam on the bottom of this 200 year old timber, how much strength do I get?’ Getting a program to do that versus spending hours writing through that is something that we're highly interested to save time.”

## Handling complex design and calculations

Every once in a while, Helen said, a complex design comes her way that her team wants her ‘to fix’.

“For example, just about a week and a half ago, Nate said to me, ‘wow, this is another really weird connection.’ I'm like, yeah, there's another one coming. And the only way that I can evaluate them is by using tools like ClearCalcs.”

“We had a guy who wanted to put a roof deck over the entrance to his little residential building.  He wanted basically no post and VMS (visible means of support). So we gave him one option, and we gave him another one which is a whole lot simpler and cheaper. We run this all of this scenario in ClearCalcs.”   

“Anyone can design a new building, it takes a real engineer to figure out how to get new and 120 year old framing to play well together.“, Nate quipped. 

“I also like the speed at which you can do the what-ifs with the utilization checks”, Helen added.

![utiization-checks.gif](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/utiization_checks_08e98d1649.gif)

“For example, a client wanted to get rid of the rafter ties, so Nate and I got on Zoom and I said, what if we do this and the utilization check lights went all red. What if we stick it this way? And we got the green light. I like the way the painful stuff are now speedy”.

## Reviewing projects across teams 

Structural engineering review is an important part of the project workflow at Criterium Engineers. Every project is reviewed by another engineer before it goes out.

“Criterium is really big in that nothing goes out without getting a second review,” Helen says.

Doing the design in ClearCalcs and being able export the printout  means our calculations are legible and other engineers can review it.

![[BLOG] printout-example.jpg](https://clearcalcs-prod2-cms.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/BLOG_printout_example_c5f754db1c.jpg)

“Part of the reasons why we went with ClearCalcs was when we looked at the various programs, Nate liked the output on ClearCalcs and how the platform explains what was going on. It meant it was easier for him to review my works and vice versa.”, Helen says.

“I like that I can follow ClearCalcs on my own”, added Nate. 

“Nate and I work really well together because I come from construction and he from the design side of it. So, we’re very yin and yang, and I think it makes our design much stronger when we work together”.

# What has improving their design workflow with ClearCalcs done to Criterium Engineers?

Criterium has more than 30 franchise offices across the United States and Canada, comprising mostly of mechanical, electrical and civil engineers. 

“And if they need to know anything about structural engineering, they will normally ask Nate or me.”

Using ClearCalcs has really transformed the way Criterium team collaborates with each other. In addition to the webinars they host to share knowledge with the franchise offices, Helen said the ability to run analysis collaboratively on ClearCalcs online means there is a cross pollination of knowledge that makes the engineers in her team smarter.

“If you want to go and do something, I’ll say, let’s get on Zoom, bring up ClearCalcs and I’ll talk you through it.”

How Criterium Engineers is changing how engineering is done, turning it into a collaborative team process with the help of ClearCalcs. 

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