Scaffold design software (1 Viewer)

Rob H

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Hi all

I’m looking to hear some views on scaffold design software. I am currently using a combination of Auto-cad for the drawings and a combination of an in-house written excel based set up along with A3D MAX structural analysis package for 3D frame analyse (and some good old fashioned pen and paper calc’s).

Although we are finding this suitable for what we need I tend to be carrying out the calculations, frame drawings in DXF format to import over to the analyse package and then the full working drawings on CAD. I have noticed a package called Scia Engineer Scaffolding. This scaffold package claims to bring the whole design process into one with the frame being generated, calcs produced and full working drawings produced. The software was produced in Europe for system to conform to the EN 12811-1 but has been altered to carry out tube and fitting design. It takes into account 2nd order effects and apparently will link (eventually) to CADs model it software to help speed up the frame input.

Has anyone used this software, its 10 grand so it’s a bit pricey.

Any views would be good

Rob
 
Scaffold Design Package

Hi Rob

We do our analysis the same as you with a different analysis package.

Some of our customers are starting to use the CADS program, but not sure how comprehensive it is.

It might be worth getting them in to give you a demonstration or go to their office in Bournemouth.

Let me know how you get on.

All the best

Chris :)
 
Hi Chris

I have brought the CADS (Estimate IT) software for my contracts side of the company. It’s a good piece of software for basic TG20 designs on very basic scaffolds such as independents scaffolds but it is no good for specialist scaffolds outside of the TG20. It does however produce the quote, gear lists and a TG20 report to state whether the scaffold passes or fails. It works well for our contract team as they can price the works and set up a package while being made aware of scaffolds that require design. This then gets passed through to the design side for a more comprehensive design.

CADS also have model IT which I also purchased that produces a very quick 3D model which they are due to link to the estimating software this summer, still limited as mentioned above but should make the whole process quicker.

I was talking to company who have used TEDDS calculation pad to produce their in-house calculations which they swear by. Have you had any experience with this software?

Rob
 
TEDDS Package

Hi Rob

I haven't used TEDDS, but it looks quite good Cant find the price anywhere on the internet though.

Have you any idea what it costs.:wondering:

I did think CADS was okay, but limited.

All the best

Chris Eng
 
Hi Chris

I looked into it a couple of years back and I think it was about 3K. There is a company in Dudley who used it and was willing to sell their calculations that they had written in TEDDS. They have a very comprehensive setup but wanted 10K for it (that’s not including the initial purchase of TEDDS). Needless to say we gave it a miss.

The software looks good though once you have written in all the calculations and I suppose the pre-set library will grow over time as a variation of designs come in.

Rob
 
TEDDS Package

Hi Chris,

I used Tedds for many years and unless you have a lot of time to commit to writing the templates and basically forming a library then it is a bit of blank page everytime.

The Dudley company does have a massive library to go onto the tedds but as you say the cost is well out there!

I think that Tedds do a Lite version which might be worth a look, but i would guess it has its limits.

Regards

M.
 
Nemetchek seems to be the first structural analysis software company, that considers scaffolding industry as a potential marcket

I am about to have an internet presentation of the Scia Engineer scaffolding module
i'll let you know about it

but Nemetchek's approach seems to be the right one,

Search Results
 
SCIA engineer to study scaffoldings

How was it

During this show, i wanted to check 2 points:

> screw jack behavior when the downward vertical load is not sufficient to stabilize the support, considering the friction coefficient

> capacities of the program to take int account geometrical imperfections as they are mentioned in EN1993-1 when the critical factor is over 10 (chapter 5.2)

Concerning the screw jack,
it is possible to introduce a friction coefficient on a support, that is a ratio between horizontal and vertical components of the reaction

If the horizontal component is more than the vertical component multiplied by that coefficient, the support is completely neutralized.

This is not completely right, because in reality, even if the screw jack can slide, it is still in contact with the ground; but practically, it seems sufficient to me.

Concerning the geometrical imperfections, the program applies a unique global and local imperfection, as it is mentioned in chapter 5.3.2 (11) of EN1993-1.

For each load case combination, the shape of the first elastic critical buckling mode is calculated first; then the imperfection shape is taken as that shape multiplied by a coefficient

To be precise, the coefficient should be calculated considering the bending moment in a critical cross section, but practically, SCIA eng applies a coefficient in such a way that the deformed shape reaches a certain value (a deflection of bout 3 centimeters as i remember...)

Even if it is not precise, this simplification seems current practice in engineering offices in Belgium, Holland, Germany...

I don't have enough expertise to tell if it is appropriate or not, but as far as i know, it is the only way to comply, as much as possible, to EN1993-1 chapter 5.3.2 (11), when studying a specific scaffolding structure .

Generally speaking, SCIA eng is a very complete program, but the environment needs to be simplified for everyday work (too many possibilities, the useful part of the screen is reduced...)

I have not bought SCIA eng license yet:
> i wanted first to study the subject theoretically, to be able to understand what happens when i press the button
> even the EN1993-1 is compulsory in France, as in europeans countries in general, almost nobody use it yet, so i still have time to switch to it

When i buy the license, or if i find another way to comply with EN1993-1 chapter 5.3.2 (11), and have more experience, I'll post in this forum again
 
hey huys im looking for help on scaffolding software im working on behalf of a small company who employ around 40 ppl and are looking to expand but they dont have any scaffolding software at all and are in desperate need of help in finding the best software i have look at striked soft and that seems to be good but as im not a scaffolder im not sure what one i should be looking into plzzz help. many thanks :D
 
hey huys im looking for help on scaffolding software im working on behalf of a small company who employ around 40 ppl and are looking to expand but they dont have any scaffolding software at all and are in desperate need of help in finding the best software i have look at striked soft and that seems to be good but as im not a scaffolder im not sure what one i should be looking into plzzz help. many thanks :D

If you are not a scaffolder, how are you going to be able to work for a scaffolding company?...

anyway, the choice of the software depends upon the type of scaffolding equipment this company uses (tubes and fittings? system scaffolding? frames?...)

---------- Post added at 11:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:38 AM ----------

How was it

Concerning the screw jack, SCIA neutralize it completely from the moment when the friction is not sufficient to prevent it from moving

Concerning the global imperfection according to EN1993-1, a previous calculation is made to find the buckling shape of the structure
Then a coefficient is applied to that shape and the final calculation is made, second order
It is OK, but there is a question about this coefficient: it is an estimation, it is not calculated precisely as the EN 1993-1 asks to do it

Anyway, SCIA seems to be the most advanced software in the field of scaffolding structural analysis
 
hey huys im looking for help on scaffolding software im working on behalf of a small company who employ around 40 ppl and are looking to expand but they dont have any scaffolding software at all and are in desperate need of help in finding the best software i have look at striked soft and that seems to be good but as im not a scaffolder im not sure what one i should be looking into plzzz help. many thanks :D
hello star scaffolding, as i written before the only sw compatible with all scaff system i've found is the PON CAD. give a look .
hope it is helpful.

---------- Post added at 04:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:07 PM ----------

i've already check your sw out, but still i prefer to work in a cad environment, and the PON CAD is perfect, gives more then yours and it cost less.

@star scaffolding

Take a look of our scaffold software maybe you like it!
 
@swscaff

I don't see your on our client list - so most assume that you are your comment is from visiting our website. On the other hand we have both products in house and I'm still disagreeing with you. But somebody like the daughter and somebody like the mother - we don't judge only compare real facts.
 
Scaffolding software design

indeed i am not Your customer, and i've checked Your sw by Your site and other users opinion around the forum.
but as far as real fact i will need to try Your to give a complete correct opinion e compare Your sw to the pon cad i'm using since 2009.

@swscaff

I don't see your on our client list - so most assume that you are your comment is from visiting our website. On the other hand we have both products in house and I'm still disagreeing with you. But somebody like the daughter and somebody like the mother - we don't judge only compare real facts.
 
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