Home > Progressive Collapse Software: Software Comparison

Sturctural Analysis Software Comparison

The chart below compares the capabilities of available structural analyais sotware to efficiently produce accurate results for progressive collapse analysis:

 

Structural Analysis
Software Capabilities		 Linear  
  Software(1)		 Simplified
Non-Linear
Software(2)		 Extreme Loading
  for Structures(3)
Non-Linear Software
Required Experience:
Structural Engineer ü ü ü
Sr. Structural Engineer ü ü ü
Scientist ü ü ü
Modeling:
Frame Elements ü ü Not Applicable
Solid Elements ü ü ü
Solid Element Mesh Components û û ü
Detailed Reinforcement û û ü
Automatic Solid Element Connectivity û û ü
Solid Element Pre-Cracking û û ü
Pre-Processing:
Initial Velocity û û ü
Initial Acceleration û û ü
Boundary Conditions ü ü ü
Lumped Mass ü ü ü
Rigid Bodies û ü ü
Staged Material Modification û û ü
Area Material Modification û û ü
Demolish (Stage) ü ü ü
Demolish (Time) û û ü
Construct (Time & Stage) ü ü ü
Solver Controller û û ü
Geometric Model:
Stiffness Matrix Fixed Fixed Variable
P Delta Effect û Simplified ü
Buckling & Post Buckling û û ü
Contact & Collision û û ü
Membrane Action û û ü
Material Model:

Cracking of Materials Occurs

 û û ü
Automated Plastic Hinge Formation û û ü
Yielding of Reinforcement û û ü
Automated Separation û û ü
Automated Contact/Collision û û ü

(1) Linear Software such as SAP2000 Basic, Robot & ETABS Plus based on the Finite Element Method or FEM
(2) Simplified Non-Linear Software such as ETABS Nonlinear, RAM, RISA 3D, Autodesk Robot, SAP2000 Plus/Advanced, and STAAD Pro based on the Finite Element Method or FEM
(3) Extreme Loading for Structures (ELS) software is a user friendly non-linear structural analysis tool based on the Applied Element Method or AEM

Extreme Loading and ASI are registered trademarks of Applied Science International, LLC. Autodesk and Robot are registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc. STAAD and RAM are registered trademarks of Bentley Systems, Inc. SAP2000 and ETABS are registered trademarks of Computers and Structures, Inc. RISA 3-D is a registered trademark of RISA Technologies, Inc. All other brand, product, service and feature names or trademarks are the property of their respective owners.