The Beam Shell FEA software provides a swift and user-friendly platform for determining the capacity of general steel beams using the finite element method. It offers engineers a comprehensive tool for in-depth structural behavior analysis, simulating precise stress distributions, plastic deformations, element buckling, and failure. The software stands apart from design code dependency, performing authentic simulations through both linear and non-linear analyses, which encompasses material and geometric non-linearities and considers geometric imperfections. Users can effectively optimize member configurations, openings, plate thicknesses, stiffener layouts, and constraints. This high level of modeling and analysis eliminates the need for intricate CAD modeling and deep analytical calculation. The entire modeling process leverages a smart, parameterized input system coupled with simulation automation. The software caters to engineers of all expertise levels, without limitations.
Investigate all types of beam failures
Design of prismatic and non-prismatic steel beams with openings
The Beam Shell FEA software is versatile, ideal for designing both prismatic and non-prismatic steel beams, whether they have stiffened webs, openings, or various constraint systems. It allows for detailed customization of cellular beams made from all steel types. Users can efficiently optimize the geometry of webs and flanges, including size and thickness transitions along the beam’s length. The software precisely and swiftly determines the best methods for attaching longitudinal and vertical stiffeners to counteract local web buckling. Moreover, varying beam constraint methods are directly incorporated, influencing both local and global lateral-torsional buckling.
Design of beams with corrugated and hybrid webs
Corrugated webs in beams enhance the member’s strength, reducing the need for stiffeners and allowing for thinner and smaller element sizes. Within the Beam Shell FEA, you have the flexibility to customize various corrugation patterns and apply them to both prismatic and non-prismatic beams.
Make your own virtual laboratory for experiments
The Beam Shell FEA allows for intuitive exploration of a beam’s behavior through nonlinear analysis. While linear static and buckling analyses offer quick structure estimates, optimizations, and insights into potential vulnerabilities, there’s often a need for a more detailed look into beam failure. This includes understanding the distribution of plasticity and the impact of geometric imperfections on plate buckling. In essence, you can simulate what you might observe in laboratory tests.
The nonlinear static analysis incrementally considers external loads, assessing the stress-strain relationship of the structure by accounting for both material and geometric non-linearities. This lets you monitor the progression of failure—from initial stress concentrations to significant plastic deformations and post-buckling behavior. The software provides detailed insights through element failure status reports and load-displacement curves, enabling you to pinpoint the critical external force that leads to failure
Key features
Graphical user-friendly interface with an interactive 3D view and powerful tools for fast model creation and analysis.
Tools for modeling of beam web with different configurations.
Tools for modeling beam flanges with different configurations.
Tools for modeling of web longitudinal and vertical stiffeners.
Tools for modeling stiffened and unstiffened beam web openings.
Tools for model mesh generation and local mesh refinement.
Tools for linear and nonlinear material properties input.
Tools for modeling web local imperfections and beam global imperfections.
Tools for modeling residual stress due to the manufacture processes.
Tools for modeling different beam loads and boundaries.
Tools for results output and post-processing.
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