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How is the structural analysis performed within the various ENERCALC modules?

 

All structural analyses performed within the various ENERCALC modules are computed using a robust finite element solver. This is true of beam modules, column modules, wall modules, and essentially any other analysis where geometry, boundary conditions, and applied loads are used to arrive at calculated reaction forces, deflections, shears, and moments.

 

In the case of beam modules in particular, the finite element solution for the beam yields reaction forces, deflections, and internal end forces for each beam span. Based on the internal end forces the beam is then post-processed along its entire length at densely spaced internal slices. Each internal slice is analyzed using equilibrium of instantaneous internal forces and cumulative external forces (i.e., applied loads) to compute instantaneous shear and bending moment at that slice. This process produces a continuous contour of shear and bending moment values across the complete extents of the beam.

 

The use of an FEA solver which implements a stiffness matrix solution allows the user to flexibly create arbitrary geometries and load those geometries using an unlimited variety of load configurations.