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List of FREE software for structural engineers and connected professions. Only fully functional software is listed, this means that time limited versions (demo) and trials are NOT included.

If you want your software and your website to be included in this list then e-mail me the address. Last update: 21.09.2011.

*Some programs require registration. Read further information on relevant developer's website. Given grades represent my own opinion and are not based on any forum opinions nor surveys etc.


FREE Engineering Software
Atlas – simple software that computes moments, shear forces and reaction forces for a given beam. It gives resulting moments and shear forces immediately in both graphical and numerical way. Maximum bending moments can easily be calculated. It does not calculate deflection. Grade 3/5
 www.rekenwonder.com/atlas.htm
Convert – very powerful and popular unit conversion program that will convert the most popular units of distance, temperature, volume, time, speed, mass, power, density, pressure, energy and many others, including the ability to create custom conversions. Grade 5/5
 http://joshmadison.com/convert-for-windows/
Discontinuous Deformation Analysis (DDA) – discrete element method useful for simulating the motion of large numbers of individual bodies in independent motion, subject to contact constraints. Grade 4/5
 http://sourceforge.net/projects/dda/
Fastrak Composite Beam – for design of composite and non-composite beams. Grade 4/5
 www.cscworld.com/Products/Fastrak/Fastrak-Composite-Beam.aspx
Frame3D - software for static and dynamic structural analysis of 2D and 3D frames and trusses with elastic and geometric stiffness. It computes the static deflections, reactions, internal element forces, natural frequencies, mode shapes and modal participation factors of two- and three- dimensional elastic structures using direct stiffness and mass assembly. Grade 4/5
 http://frame3dd.sourceforge.net
Free Structural Software – offers several interesting programs like moment distribution; 2 dimensional, 3 dimensional or plane truss analysis; continuous beam analysis; 2 dimensional or plane frames; fixed end moment evaluator. Grade 3/5
 www.freesoftware.com.my/Software/Stuctural_Engineering/structeng.htm
GaLa Reinforcement – powerful program for calculation of crack widths and cracked concrete stiffness degradation. The program supports non-linear creep, arbitrary cross section geometry, arbitrary reinforcement layout, axial load with double bending moments, etc. Grade 4/5
 www.alashki.com/freeware.htm
GBW32 – is a 3D Finite Element program that uses truss and beam elements to model a wide range of Mechanical and Civil structures. Grade 4/5
 www.grapesoftware.mb.ca/grape5_003.htm
GeoTec Office – package for geotechnical and design engineering. Main components are: ELPLA – analyzing footings, rafts, piled rafts etc; TIEF – analyzing single piles, piled walls pile groups etc. Grade 4/5
 www.elpla.com
Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Software Directory – large collection of software for ground engineers. Listed programs cover pile design, bearing capacity, geological modelling, groundwater modelling, pavements, geostatistics, earthquake analysis, settlement analysis, drainage, risk analysis, slope stability, retaining wall design, reinforced slopes etc.
 www.ggsd.com
Graphmatica – powerful, easy-to-use, equation plotter with numerical and calculus features like: graph Cartesian functions, relations, and inequalities, plus polar, parametric, and ordinary differential equations; option to numerically solve and graphically display tangent lines and integrals; find critical points, solutions to equations, and intersections between Cartesian functions. Grade 4/5
 www8.pair.com/ksoft
LimitState:Ring – excellent software for rapid structural analysis of masonry arch bridges. It automatically identify the critical collapse mode for multi-span bridges. The software was revised and updated and now offers high end standard but at the same time was made free only to students.  Grade 5/5
 www.limitstate.com/ring
LISA – user-friendly linear finite element analysis package with an integrated modeler, multi-threaded solver & graphical post-processor supporting a full range of analysis types (static, vibration, buckling, dynamic response, thermal, fluid, electro, magnetostatic, acustic). The free version allows for generous 1,300 nodes. Grade 4/5
 www.lisa-fet.com
MathGV - a mathematical function graphing software program. It can plot 2 dimensional, parametric, polar, and 3 dimension functions. The interface is dialogue driven and allows changes to any setting at any time with immediate results. Grade 4/5
 www.mathgv.com
Membrane-2000 – easy to use analysis program that will calculate the load-deformation relationship for a uniform panel of reinforced concrete subjected to in-plane shear loading. The program implements the Modified Compression Field Theory as well as the Rotating Angle-Softened Truss Model and the Fixed Angle-Softened Truss Models. Grade 3/5
 www.ecf.utoronto.ca/~bentz/mhome.shtml
MicroBEAM – DOS like program to analyse and design simple/continuous beams. Calculates shear, reaction, moment – unfortunately no deflection check. Grade 2/5
 http://suphot.tripod.com/index-3.html
Robert Niall - spreadsheets for solving complex issues like: calculating bending moments and deflection of interior of an infinite slab and edge of a semi-infinite slab supported on elastic foundation; calculating shapes and tensions in a loaded cable running between two fixed points (load is defined as a point load - fixed  or having a frictionless sliding connection to the cable); analysis of dynamics of a linear two-degree-of-freedom structural dynamics problem (natural frequencie, harmonic response, time-history analysis). Grade 4/5
http://rmniall.com
Section Properties – spreadsheet with section properties of 35 defined shapes or shape based on its coordinates. Grade 4/5
 http://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/2008/03/25/section-properties-of-defined-shapes-spreadsheet/
SectProp – calculates structural section property values, for plate girders or beams. Grade 3/5
 http://engineeringspreadsheets.co.uk/section_prop.htm
Sphygmic Software Spreadsheet – free alternative to Microsoft Excel. 125 built-in functions, including text handling, statistical, date/time, and financial functions. Grade 3/5
 www.softpedia.com/progDownload/Sphygmic-Software-Spreadsheet-Download-113500.html
SLFFEA - package of scientific software and graphical user interfaces for use in finite element analysis. Grade 4/5
 http://slffea.sourceforge.net/index.html
TrussMaster – program for analysis of pin-jointed plane trusses. Grade 4/5
 www.colincaprani.com/programming/trussmaster/
TUDelft – Software developed for geo engineers. Contains ALP – Software for design of axially loaded piles. Program simulates an elastic pile supported by elasto-plastic soil springs. BEAVER – program for Modeling Groundwater Flow and Pollution. CGM – programs on Computational Geomechanics. GWDivide - Groundwater flow under a impermeable screen. LLP – (Laterally Loaded Pile) simulates an elastic beam supported by elasto-plastic soil springs. MINDLINA - Analytical solution for a circular opening in an elastic half plane. MLT – Multiple Layered Transport, finite element code for groundwater flow. Winkler – Elastically supported beam. Grade 4/5
 http://geo000.citg.tudelft.nl/software/software_e.htm
Uconeer – engineering unit converter software designed specifically for engineers. Grade 3/5
 www.katmarsoftware.com/uconeer.htm


FREE Construction Product Manufacturer's Software
Ancon – DSD/Q – software for designing shear load connectors (steel elements between slabs or slab/wall/beam which transfer shear and allow for horizontal movement). This software is very easy to use and offers good output. Grade 5/5
 www.ancon.co.uk/dsd_software
Ancon – Shearfix – program to design punching shear reinforcement. It allows the optimum design to be determined and generates a printable data sheet and a DXF file of the specified layout. Main advantage of this software is that it distinguishes between radial and orthogonal rail layout. Grade 3/5
  www.ancon.co.uk/products/punching-shear-reinforcement/design-program
Fabsec – Fbeam – easy to use program for design of composite and non-composite plain and cellular beams to British Standard and Eurocode. Beams can be normal or fire engineered. Grade 5/5
 www.fabsec.co.uk/fbeam-software
Fischer Fixing Systems – Compufix – software for designing steel anchors. Grade 4/5
 www.fischerfixings.com.au
Hilti – Profis Anchor – very user friendly software for designing steel anchors. It also fives easy to appreciate printouts. Grade 5/5
 www.hilti.co.uk/holuk/page/module/home/browse_main.jsf?lang=en&nodeId=-200978
iLevel (Weyerhaeuser) – Forte – software for sizing joists, beams, posts or studs. It is mainly used for designing I-shape timber members. Grade 4/5
 www.ilevel.com/services/s_forte.aspx
Kingspan – Toolkit – design software for entire Kingspan Structural Products range. Includes Multibeam Design Software; Multichannel Design Software; Multideck Design Software; Kingspan Detailing software; Multibeam Whole Roof Design Software. The latest offers wind analysis based on BREVe software. Grade 5/5
 www.kingspanstructural.com/Software.aspx
Max Frank – Shearail – program to design punching shear reinforcement. It allows the optimum design to be determined and generates a printable data sheet and a DXF file of the specified layout. It is very user friendly with good diagrams. Main disadvantage of the software is that in exported DXF files it describes shearails with a code and hence only Max Frank can decrypt actual required stud size, spacing etc. Nevertheless: Grade 5/5
 www.maxfrank.co.uk/uk/service/shearail-software.php
Metsec – DesignSPEC - software package that allows easy selection of cable tray and cable ladder systems. Grade 4/5
 www.metsec.com/products/Cable-Management/software.asp
Metsec – LatticeSPEC – program to easily design both pitched, curved and parallel lattice steel beams and steel trusses. It links to the latest wind code and BREVe database for topography. Grade 4/5
 www.metsec.com/products/steel-lattice-beams/software.asp
Metsec – MetSPEC – building products design software. Offers design of purlins, side rails, eaves beams, mezzanine floors, bracing and posts. Design can be in accordance with British Standard or Eurocode. Grade 4/5
 www.metsec.com/products/cold-rolled-steel-purlins/software.asp
Richard Lees Steel Decking – Deckspan – software for designing shallow deck profiles including RLSD flagship Holorib (furthermore for design of Ribdecks). Grade 5/5
 www.rlsd.co.uk/pages/deckspan-download.php
Schöck – Dowel SLD plus - software for designing shear load connectors (steel elements between slabs or slab/wall/beam which transfer shear and allow for horizontal movement). This software is very easy to use. Grade 4/5
 www.schoeck.co.uk/en_gb/software/7#
Tata Steel – Blue Book - standalone interactive 'blue book' is an electronic version of the SCI Blue Book. Includes design information in accordance with BS EN 1993-1-1, using information given in SCI publication P363 ‘Steel Building Design: Design Data, In accordance with Eurocodes and the UK National Annexes’. Latest version includes PFC, SHS etc. Grade 4/5
 www.tatasteelconstruction.com/en/reference/design_software/software_sci_corus_interactive_blue_book
Tata Steel – Comdek – analyses deep (SD225 and CF210) and shallow (CF46, CF51, CF60, CF80 and CF100) decks in composite floor construction under a wide range of loading configurations. Grade 4/5
 www.tatasteelconstruction.com/en/reference/design_software/software_sci_comdek
Tata Steel – SlimFlor Integrated Design Software (SIDS) – designs and analyses flooring solutions utilising both SlimFlor Fabricated Beams (SFB) and Asymmetric SlimFlor Beams (ASB). Design can be based on composite action. Furthermore it is possible to include openings in web.  Grade 4/5
 www.tatasteelconstruction.com/en/reference/design_software/software_sci_sids
Westok – Cellbeam AutoMate – cellular beam design software. Grade 4/5
 www.asdwestok.co.uk/Technical+Support/Software.html


FREE CAD Software
Autodesk Design Review – all-digital way to view, mark up, print, and track changes to Autodesk 2D and 3D design files—without the original design software. For DWG, DWF, DXF, IPT, IAM and IDW files. It boosts collaboration and information exchange among team members. It fully replaces Autodesk DWF Viewer. Grade 4/5
 http://usa.autodesk.com/design-review
Autodesk DWG TrueView – very popular DWG viewer with DWG TrueConvert software included. It’s main advantage is that it is built on the same viewing engine as AutoCAD software. Hence it feels like working with AutoCAD. Grade 5/5
 http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?id=6703438&siteID=123112
CADVANCE 6.5 – re-release of software designed for Windows 3.1. Now runs on Windows and OS/2. It offers very basic interface and basic functions but provides a minimum required to draw 2D and 3D drawings. Grade 2/5
 www.cadvance.com/65form.htm
CadStd Lite – general purpose, easy to learn CAD/drafting program for creating mechanical designs, house plans, blueprints, schematics and charts utilizing ANSI drawing standards. Can export files as DXF so you can share your drawings with people who have other CAD programs like AutoCAD. Grade 3/5
 www.cadstd.com
DESI-III – very powerful 2D-CAD software running on Windows, Linux, Mac, OS/2. Allows you to use formulas for nearly any value. Keyboard access to commands is limited though. Grade 4/5
 http://users.telenet.be/desi-iii
DesignWorkshop Lite – software for creating 3D models, walkthroughs, renderings, sketches, presentations. It offers editing of 3D objects in real perspective space. Runs on Windows and Mac. Grade 3/5
 www.artifice.com/dw_lite.html
FreeCAD – 3D CAD with advanced Motion Simulation capabilities. It is suitable for anyone interested in learning 3D CAD and Motion Simulation for free before using more sophisticated packages. Allows users to create and manipulate assemblies of parts. Its connections define the structure, mechanism or machine of interest. Grade 3/5
 www.ar-cad.com
Steel Sections - CAD library of steelwork sections in DWG format (AutoCAD 2000). Sizes are exported from 'Steelwork Design Guide to BS 5950-1: 2000, 7th Edition' known as 'Blue Book'. Library includes: UB, UC, RSJ, UBP, CHS, SHS, RHS, ASB, PFC, UKA-EA, UKA-UA. Sections that can be easily copied to new drawing as required. Grade 5/5
 www.yourspreadsheets.co.uk/steel-sections---cad-library.html
SoftCAD.3D Lite – graphical 3D modelling and editing tools. Architectural libraries including windows, doors, furniture, landscape etc. Gives photo-realistic rendering. Supports DXF. Grade 3/5
 www.buildersplanet.com/affiliates/softcad/softcadintro.asp
Varkon – CAD system and high level development tool for engineering, computer aided design and product modelling applications. Grade 3/4
 http://varkon.sourceforge.net


FREE General Office Software
7-Zip – very good archive manager. Simple to use, powerful with very good features, well integrates with operating system. Fully supports formats like 7z, TAR, ZIP. Furthermore supports unpacking of ARJ, CAB, ISO, RAR, UDF, XAR etc. Self-extracting capability. Grade 5/5
 www.7-zip.org
Adobe Acrobat Reader – lets you communicate easier, faster and better with PDF. Grade 5/5
 www.adobe.com/products/acrobat.html
Avast Antivirus – good protection against viruses and spyware. Grade 4/5
 www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download
AVG Antivirus – good protection against viruses and spyware. Includes email scanner. Grade 4/5
 www.avg.com
CDBurnerXP - application to burn CDs and DVDs, including Blu-Ray and HD-DVDs. It also includes the feature to burn and create ISOs, as well as a multilanguage interface. Very easy to use and functional. Good alternative to Nero. Grade 4/5
 http://cdburnerxp.se/en/home
Columbus – Very popular File Manager software developed by Arup. No longer accessible through developer's (Oasys) website. Can be still downloaded through various websites for example CNET. Grade 4/5
 http://download.cnet.com/Columbus/3000-2079_4-13203.html
CutePDF – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED – great alternative to Adobe PDF printer. Portable Document Format (PDF) will be viewable and printable with Adobe Acrobat Reader. Also works with Ghostscript. No unwanted watermarks are printed on PDFs. Grade 5/5
 www.cutepdf.com
Excel Viewer - view and print Excel workbooks, even if you don't have Excel installed. Grade 4/5
 www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=10
FastStone Image Viewer – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED – very powerful image browser which allows you to convert and edit picture (red-eye removal, resizing, cropping, color adjustments, emailing. All individually or batch). It supports all major graphic formats including BMP, JPEG, JPEG 2000, GIF, PNG, PCX, TIFF, WMF, ICO, TGA and camera raw files. Great alternative to ACDSee. Grade 5/5
 www.faststone.org
Gimp – Image Manipulation Program. Can be used as an easy to use paint program, for photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. Grade 3/5
 www.gimp.org
Go!Zilla – download manager. Accelerates downloads by using multiple servers at once. Allows to recover failed downloads. Integrates with web browsers. Supports BitTorrent. Grade 5/5
 www.gozilla.com
GraphTablet – very simple program to create blank graph paper (rectangular, polar, semilog, notebook graphs are available). Grade 3/5
 www.graphtablet.com/graphtablet.html
GSview – graphical interface for Ghostscript. GSview allows selected pages to be viewed or printed. But most importantly it allows to save secured PDF files as without any restrictions for later editing. Grade 4/5
 www.ghostscript.com
KeyTweak – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED – small software for mapping keyboard keys. For example you can assign ‘Tab’ key to act as ‘Esc’ key. Grade 5/5
 www.tucows.com/preview/327616
OpenOffice.org – very good and complete application suite. It includes word, processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, databases. It is a great alternative to Microsoft Office but not all features are covered. For example it requires different commands in VBA (for advance users developing macros). Grade 4/5
 www.openoffice.org
PDFCreator – PDF creator and converter. Supports encryption of PDFs to protect them from being opened, printed etc. Very good for merging multiple files into one PDF.  No unwanted watermarks are printed on PDFs. Grade 3/5
 www.pdfforge.org/pdfcreator
PDFill PDF Tools – visually basic interface but has very useful functions like merge, split, reorder, delete, encrypt, decrypt, rotate, crop and reformat PDF pages. Also allows to add information, header, footer and watermark, to convert images to PDF, to delete, flatten and list form fields, to scan to pdf etc. It cannot be ranked at a similar level as Adobe Acrobat but is a good alternative. Unfortunately does not offer editing from within PDF file. No unwanted watermarks are printed on PDFs. Grade 4/5
 www.pdfill.com/pdf_tools_free.html
RealPlayer – viewer, converter and burner of media files. Supports a wide range of formats like RMVB, RA, MP3, CDA, WAV, AAC, AIF, VOB, DAT, MPG, MPEG, AVI, DIVX, WMA, WMV, FLV, BMP, GIF, JPG, SWF, MOV. Allows to easily convert Flash videos to iPhone, iPad or iPod. Includes built-in media browser. Compared to QuickTime from Apple it is a lot less intrusive and a lot more user friendly. Grade 4/5
 http://uk.real.com/realplayer
Sicyon – all-in-one scientific calculator. Good for physical or chemical formulas. Consisting expression calculator, database of constants, unit converter and solver. Grade 3/5
 www.sicyon.com
Tekla BIMsight – software application for building information model-based construction project collaboration. Allows to view projects in 3D. Checks for clushes, offers combining models. Grade 4/5
 www.teklabimsight.com
The Thinking Man’s Thesaurus – ideal pop-up utility for when the right word is eluding you. It includes a powerful thesaurus and a dictionary which can check the spelling of individual words as well as provide you with a list of similarly spelt words. Grade 4/5
 www.theabsolute.net/sware/index.html
Time Stamp – software to track time spent on a project. It enables you to time how long you spend on a task, including features that let you take "slack time" for a phone call or break. Times for various tasks can be linked to an hourly charge rate for accurate billing. Export your data using ASCII or XML, and customize your report for your own letterhead. Easy to use and has good features. Grade 4/5
 www.syntap.com
Total Commander – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED – File Manager that will boost your efficiency. It consists of two file windows side by side. The best use is to have one window for folders with calculations and the other for folders with drawings. Furthermore it uses tabs hence you can have all your projects under different tabs and avoid continuously having to navigate from one folder to another. Free version requires one confirmation click each time it starts. I have been using this free software for years and find it extremely useful. Grade 5+/5
 www.ghisler.com
Word Viewer - view, print and copy Word documents, even if you don't have Word installed. Grade 4/5
 www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=4
WordWeb -  one-click English thesaurus and dictionary for Windows that can look up words in almost any program. It works off-line, but can also look up words in web references such as the Wikipedia encyclopedia.  120 000 synonym sets.  5000 audio pronunciations.  65 000 text pronunciations. Grade 4/5
 http://wordweb.info/free

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