A tool designed to determine the appropriate dimensions of structural steel members needed to safely support anticipated loads. This type of tool employs engineering principles and material properties to calculate the required section modulus, moment of inertia, and other essential parameters based on factors like span length, load type (e.g., distributed, concentrated), and material grade.
The utilization of such resources offers significant advantages in structural design. It provides a means to ensure structural integrity, prevent failures, and optimize material usage, contributing to cost efficiency and safety. Historically, these calculations were performed manually, a time-consuming and potentially error-prone process. Modern tools streamline this process, offering improved accuracy and speed.