Specification Section: Steel and Steel Design/Fabrication Software
A wide range of commercial structural engineering software is available to aid designers and fabricators with the efficient and economic design of steel framed buildings and bridges. The tools encompass the property data of steel components that enable rapid selection of steel members based on compression, bending and tension.
Read below for a selection of software products, steel component manufacturers and industry associations. This brief listing is meant to introduce you to leading software and engineered products, with Web addresses to access further information. If we missed your company, email [email protected], and we’ll add it to our more-complete online catalog.
American Galvanizers Association
The American Galvanizers Association (AGA) is a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to serving the needs of specifiers, architects, engineers, contractors, fabricators and after-fabrication hot-dip galvanizers throughout North America. Since 1933, AGA has provided information on the most-innovative applications and state-of-the-art technological developments in hot-dip galvanizing for corrosion control.
AGA provides a number of free tools for specifiers, including PDF publications, the Galvanize It! continuing-education series, a free quarterly email newsletter for specifiers, and an online protection coatings Life-Cycle Cost Calculator (LCCC). In addition, AGA routinely publishes technical FAQs (Dr. Galvs) and KnowledgeBase articles addressing common specifier concerns as well as a variety of case studies in the AGA Project Gallery.
American Institute of Steel Construction
The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), headquartered in Chicago, is a not-for-profit technical institute and trade association established in 1921 to serve the structural-steel design community and construction industry in the United States. AISC’s mission is to make structural steel the material of choice by being the leader in structural-steel-related technical and market-building activities, including specification and code development, research, education, technical assistance, quality certification, standardization, and market development. AISC has a long tradition of service to the steel construction industry, providing timely and reliable information.
ATLAS TUBE
Don’t know if you can get A1085 HSS for your project? Don’t worry. Atlas Tube manufactures it every 30 days in various sizes. Spec A1085 HSS, and we’ll deliver—anytime, anywhere. With great performance and ready availability, there’s no reason not to spec A1085 HSS. Atlas Tube produces the industry’s widest size range of steel HSS manufactured to ASTM A500, ASTM A1085 and CSA 640 standards. Atlas HSS are available in squares up to 22” and 0.083”-0.875” wall thickness, rectangles up to 24” x 12” and 0.083”-0.750” wall thickness, and rounds up to 20” and 0.083”-0.625” wall thickness. Learn more about ASTM A1085 and how it makes designing with HSS easier with Atlas Tube’s design aids and videos.
Autodesk Inc.
Autodesk Inc. is a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk continues to develop the broadest portfolio of 3D software for global markets. Autodesk offers a number of tools for the structural industry, including:
Robot Structural Analysis Professional
Provides engineers with advanced BIM-integrated structural analysis and tools that design the behavior of any structure type and verify code compliance.
Revit
A single software application that supports a multi-discipline BIM workflow from concept to construction. Use Revit to model designs with precision, optimize performance and collaborate more effectively.
Advance Steel
Steel detailing software built on the familiar AutoCAD platform. Structural engineers, steel detailers and fabricators use Advance Steel to help accelerate design, steel detailing, steel fabrication and steel construction.
AVEVA
AVEVA’s fabrication software suite provides class-leading productivity for the detailed design and fabrication of structural steelwork, enabling rapid, high-quality fabrication and construction for on-time, on-budget and integrated project execution. AVEVA has combined AVEVA Bocad, the most-powerful, productive and complete structural steel detailing solution, with AVEVA FabTrol, the global market-leading information and production-management system for steel fabrication. The result is the world’s most powerful and integrated end-to-end solution available for the steel-fabrication industry.
Together, AVEVA Bocad and AVEVA FabTrol are driving the Future of Steel Fabrication—continually creating new capabilities to transform the structural steel industry.
www.aveva.com/futureofsteelfabrication
Bentley Systems Inc.
Bentley offers structural and bridge engineers and designers comprehensive design and analysis software.
∙ Structures: Consider multiple design alternatives quickly and early in your design process. Tackle projects with confidence and quickly produce high-quality and economical designs. Synchronize model data with confidence among your entire design team, including detailing 3D models for all your structural projects. Design structures anywhere in the world with RAM and STAAD, using more than 80 international codes.
∙ Bridges: Model, design, detail, construct, document, analyze and manage structural steel components in your building and plant projects of all types and scales. Perform parametric modeling, streamlined analysis, design and load-rating of straight and curved I-girder and box-girder bridge with LEAP Bridge Steel.
Bluebeam Software
Bluebeam Inc.’s award-winning desktop, mobile and cloud solutions push the limits of digital collaboration to enable professionals who work in the most document-intensive industries to do what they do better. Bluebeam Revu provides powerful PDF creation, markup, editing and collaboration technology for paperless workflows and is used by the world’s top architectural, engineering and construction firms; oil and gas companies; manufacturers; government agencies; and municipalities to reduce paper usage by more than 85 percent and increase productivity by more than 60 percent. Download a 30-day trial at www.bluebeam.com.
Canam-Bridges
Canam-Bridges, a division of Canam Steel Corp., has led the North American industry in designing, fabricating and building steel bridges, structural bearings and expansion joints for the highway, railway and industrial markets. Canam’s team of technical experts, state-of-the-art equipment, high production capacity, and fully dedicated painting and metallizing facilities position it as a premier steel partner for any-sized bridge project.
Canam-Bridges adds real value by getting involved early, offering pre-construction, design-assist and design-build services. Find out about all that Canam-Bridges has to offer (including case studies, technical articles and blog posts) by visiting www.canambridges.com.
Canam-Buildings
Canam-Buildings is an industry-leading fabricator of steel joists, girders and steel deck, and it also designs, manufactures and installs the Reveal Series decking system, Murox prefabricated building system and Hambro composite floor systems. The BuildMaster approach—Canam’s advance planning, design and improved steel-delivery features—can be combined to any of our construction solutions.
www.canam-construction.com
ClearSpan
ClearSpan Metal Buildings offer steel sidewalls with the proven durability of a Hercules Truss Arch frame. Since there are no internal support posts, buildings allow for maximum usable space. The metal building is design-built to any need and can be engineered to meet any required building codes or snow/wind loads. Buildings are available up to 300’W for any application and feature an industry-leading 20-year warranty on the cover and a 50-year warranty on the frame.
Design Data
As a leader in steel industry software development for 35 years, Design Data constantly brings new technology to the market. Our SDS/2 software solutions provide automatic detailing, connection design, engineering information and other data for the steel industry’s fabrication, detailing and engineering sectors. SDS/2 offers the highest level of automation and intelligence available in 3D steel detailing, with unparalleled connection design intelligence and high-quality drawing production. As a BIM software, SDS/2 allows for the sharing of data among all partners on a project, reducing the time required to design, detail, fabricate and erect steel.
FICEP
FICEP S.p.A. of Northern Italy has become the principal supplier of structural steel and plate fabrication equipment in the world market during the last 10 years. For example, FICEP currently controls approximately 75 percent of the world market for structural steel and plate processing systems.
In October 2002, FICEP S.p.A. founded a new subsidiary, FICEP Corp., to address the sales and service requirements of North America. Since the beginning, FICEP Corp., based in Forest Hill, Md., has sold hundreds of CNC lines in North America. This subsidiary is engaged in the manufacturing, sales and service of new FICEP equipment plus the rebuilding of used structural steel fabrication equipment. Our sales and service team averages more than 20 years of experience strictly selling and servicing equipment for the structural steel fabrication industry. Please take this opportunity to browse our website and learn more about the FICEP advantage!
Graitec
Graitec, a long-standing global Autodesk Partner and independent developer of high-performance BIM solutions for the AEC industry, delivers a new tailor-made steel fabrication management software: Advance Workshop. This MIS gives steel fabricators complete control over every stage of production, including inventory management, traceability for quality control, human resources and CNC processes, to increase efficiency and reduce costs. It manages digital manufacturing and production data, derived directly from the BIM model, and uses this to simulate a “virtual workshop,” helping ensure all aspects of the production process are optimized. It also has the ability for full integration with high-end ERP systems and is said to support all major 3D steel BIM software, including Autodesk Advance Steel, with built-in drivers for major equipment manufacturers to support a BIM-to-fabrication workflow.
LARSA
LARSA 4D BRIDGE SERIES is recognized as the premier software for bridge engineers, with the innovative tools necessary to support bridge projects through design, construction and rehabilitation. Informed by three decades of experience working closely with its loyal client base, 4D BRIDGE SERIES is preloaded with unique tools that promote time savings while delivering unrivaled capabilities and has become the trusted software at leading firms within the United States. By coupling finite-element-based analysis and design with the latest computing technology, LARSA 4D has become one of the most-reliable software packages of its kind for segmental, cable-stay, suspension, stressed-ribbon, steel girder and other bridge forms as well as structures requiring geometric or material nonlinearity or a refined staged-construction analysis.
LUSAS
LUSAS develops, markets and supports a range of finite-element analysis software products for the engineering and construction industries. LUSAS Bridge software is used for cost-effective analysis, design and assessment of all bridge types. Fundamental frequency, seismic, dynamic, nonlinear, buckling, fatigue, staged-construction modelling, concrete creep and shrinkage, heat of hydration, and prestress/post-tensioning can all be undertaken. Cable-tuning analysis, traffic-load optimization to AASHTO and other codes, steel and composite deck design, soil-structure interaction analysis, and rail track-structure interaction modelling are also supported. LUSAS Civil & Structural software is used for analysis of buildings, stadia, towers, LNG tanks, docks, dams and tunnels. LUSAS is used on major projects worldwide (as well as on small-scale structural-integrity work).
MDX Software
MDX Software Curved & Straight Steel Bridge Design & Rating is for designing and rating steel-girder bridges for compliance with AASHTO LRFD, LRFR, LFD and ASD Specifications.
MMFX Steel Corp.
MMFX Steel Corp. is a global specialty steel company dedicated to applying innovative steel technologies to multiple product lines. With its steel production partners, OEM manufacturers and industry leaders, MMFX delivers solutions to problems faced by steel consumers. As a dependable technical resource, MMFX continuously strives to deliver unmatched value to its customers through the application of advanced nano-steel technology.
MMFX has removed long-standing limitations faced by structural engineers and the construction industry by introducing its ChrōmX 9000, 4000 and 2000 Series, grades 100 and 120 high-strength concrete reinforcing steel products with varying levels of corrosion resistance, so designers can utilize the high strength efficiencies and best match the uncoated, corrosion-protection requirements of a given project.
National Steel Bridge Alliance
The National Steel Bridge Alliance, a division of the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), is a national, not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing steel bridge design and construction. We are a unified industry organization of businesses and agencies interested in the development, construction and promotion of cost-effective steel bridges. We represent the entire steel bridge community, including agencies and groups who have a stake in the success of steel bridge construction, such as representatives from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO); the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA); state DOTs; bridge consultants; erectors; and representatives from the coatings, fastener and welding industries.
New Millennium Building Systems
New Millennium designs, engineers and manufactures structural steel building systems to provide building owners improved total-project cost management and optimized performance.
Standard Steel Joists and Deck
The company is a leader in BIM-based design for steel joists and decking. BIM ensures the structure is fully planned from the start to avoid construction problems and costs.
Special Profile Joists and Architectural Decking
These kinds of joists and deck allow for more unique and aesthetically pleasing designs, enhancing the profile of a building.
Versa-Floor Long-Span Composite Floor Systems
These systems provide steel/concrete composite action to achieve clear spans up to 28 feet wide between columns. Systems address aesthetic, acoustic and fire-rating demands, while minimizing the total-project cost and the owner’s lifecycle cost.
NUCOR Grating
A manufacturer/supplier of high-quality gratings for major capital projects around the world (Tru-weld & Fisholow brands). Typical industry applications include commercial buildings; mining and smelting; power-generating stations; oilfields and refineries; chemical plants; water-treatment facilities; pulp and paper producers.
Nucor Grating products include:
Bar Grating
- Standard Carbon Steel Grating
- Stainless Steel Bar Grating
- Fisholow Aluminum Swage-Locked Grating
Plank Type Safety Grating
- Grip Span (Diamond)
- Shur Grip (Round Hole)
Fiberglass (FRP) Grating
NUCOR Vulcraft
Vulcraft, a division of Nucor Corp., has a long history of success in the joist and deck business. Along with the expertise and experience, Vulcraft has grown and developed into a modern company. Employing some of the latest technology in the fabrication facility as well as the office, Vulcraft has the capability to provide quality products on time and products that fit the first time.
At Vulcraft, providing the best steel products means more than just the highest quality. The best steel product is the right product for the job, no matter what the job. They arrive on time, and freight doesn’t cost a fortune. The best steel product provider gives you answers face to face or over the phone, and can even help your business run more efficiently. If the steel products you are presently using don’t do all these things, they’re not the best steel products, and you need to learn about the Vulcraft advantages.
RISA Technologies
RISA Technologies has been developing cutting-edge structural design and optimization software for more than 25 years. Our software products are used around the world for buildings, stadiums, bridges and everything in between. RISA-3D, RISAFloor and RISAFoundation work with steel, concrete, timber, masonry, aluminum and cold-formed steel—all in a single integrated model.
With our well-trained team of engineers and developers, we meet the needs of our growing client base by implementing new design features and expanding our suite of software tools. Providing exceptional customer service is a priority to us and something we continue to strive for day-to-day. We have a wide variety of in-house design engineering experience, giving us a broad perspective for future development goals.
Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance
The Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance (SSSBA) is a group of bridge and buried-soil-structure industry leaders who have joined together to provide educational information on the design and construction of short-span steel bridges in installations up to 140 feet in length. SSSBA’s objective is to provide essential information to bridge owners and designers on the use of short-span bridges, including:
- Case studies
- Education on superstructure, substructure and other structural components of steel bridges
- Standardized designs and details
- Manufacturer’s options (including prefabricated and modular designs)
- Durability solutions (including information on weathering steel, galvanized steel and painting)
- Sustainability
- Technical research
- Industry contacts
- Free web-based design tools at www.eSPAN140.com
Simpson Strong-Tie
For 60 years, Simpson Strong-Tie has focused on creating structural products that help people build safer and stronger homes and buildings. Considered a leader in structural systems research, testing and innovation, Simpson Strong-Tie works closely with industry professionals to provide code-listed, field-tested products and value-engineered solutions. The company’s offering of web, mobile and desktop software and apps, such as CFS Designer for cold-formed steel design, helps save design time and simplify selection of its products. CFS Designer gives cold-formed steel designers the ability to design CFS beam-column members according to AISI specifications as well as analyze complex beam loading and span conditions. From product development and testing to training and engineering and field support, Simpson Strong-Tie is committed to helping customers succeed.
The Steel Joist Institute
The Steel Joist Institute (SJI), a nonprofit organization of active joist manufacturers and other organizations and companies connected to the industry, was founded in 1928 to address the need for uniform joist standards within the industry. Today, the institute continues to maintain the standards for steel joist construction. In addition, SJI provides educational opportunities for construction professionals utilizing a library of printed publications, and live and recorded webinars. We also offer assistance in identifying existing joists in buildings undergoing retrofit, plus we are included in RAM, RISA and SCIA software packages. Visit the SJI website to discover a number of valuable design resources.
Steel Projects
Steel Projects specializes in helping steel fabricators be more productive through the design, development, support and maintenance of our Intelligent Steel Fabrication Software: Steel Projects PLM. Our focus is on improving efficiency where it matters: on the shop floor. We are specialists in developing solutions that enable steel fabricators to:
- Get reliable, accurate and up-to-date information from the detailing office
- Plan and schedule using a digital representation of their shop
- Manage change seamlessly
- Easily track and record progress, and share it as needed with clients
Our customers enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing their shop is maximizing use of its resources and operating as efficiently as it can be, with improved material flow and increased man-hour efficiencies.
Steel Tube Institute
The Steel Tube Institute’s Hollow Structural Sections (HSS) Committee includes the majority of the HSS producers in the United States. The group provides technical and design information for the specifying industry. Currently, this information includes a three-volume HSS Design Manual, Connection Design Software, six live webinars per year, and other resources. Connection Design Software includes Excel spreadsheets, HSS Connex Online, Trimble’s Tedds and SCIA’s Design Forms. An STI Professional Membership is available, providing resource bundles and manuals at a discount. The capability tool (available to all on STI’s website) helps specifiers identify which shapes are commonly produced by member producers.
www.steeltubeinstitute.org/hss
StruMIS
BIMReview is a BIM collaborative project-review tool for use across the whole construction project. It is the affordable, feature-rich tool to import BIM models (BSWX, Step, IGES, IFC, XML, GTCX) and associated data from multiple CAD authoring tools to consolidate effective review and visual communication. BIMReview is favored by thousands of industry professionals for its ease of use, intuitive clash detection, IFC import/export and ability to enrich BIM model data. BIMReview is available standalone or comes uniquely integrated in StruMIS steel fabrication software as a 3D model communication tool, enabling you to visually track, enquire and communicate with all parties across the whole project lifecycle. To start saving time, money and resources on your construction project, contact us at www.bim-review.com.
Taylor Devices
Stand firm—don’t settle for less than the safety and security of Taylor Devices Fluid Viscous Dampers for your building and bridge structures. From the historic Los Angeles City Hall to Mexico City’s Torre Mayor to Japan’s Shin-Yokohama High-Speed Train Station, more than 650 major structures rely on Taylor Devices Dampers.
With proven performance originally developed and widely used by the U.S. military and NASA, Taylor Fluid Viscous Dampers are the cost-effective, reliable and value-engineered way to provide maximum protection from earthquakes, wind storms or excessive motion events on virtually any structure. For project examples, visit our websites at www.seismicdamper.com and www.taylordevices.com.
Valmont Coatings
Protecting metal for life — Valmont Coatings is a full-service coating company specializing in superior hot-dip galvanizing, powder coating, anodizing, liquid coating and e-coat finishes to extend the service life and visual appeal of products of all shapes and sizes.
