New design tools for steel sector

Two new design tools have been made available from the steel sector to aid engineers with efficient and economic design of steel framed structures.

A design software tool is now available that calculates the design resistance of beams, columns and hollow sections, to axial compression. The design resistance is calculated in accordance with BS EN 1993-1-1 and the UK National Annex 2.

A similar tool that calculates the design resistance of beams and columns to bending against the major axis is also now available.

The new member design tools are freely available via the www.steelconstruction.info website.
To make full use of the tools, the user must select the steel grade, member type, section type, buckling length and choose the shape of the bending moment diagram by selecting an appropriate C1 factor.