Monday, January 3, 2011

Equilibrium Software

Photo by Felipe Gabaldon
Calculating individual forces within systems in equilibrium can be a daunting task! As we've seen in class, the process involves drawing a free-body diagram, resolving forces into components, and writing equations for each dimension. Almost always, this process leads to solving a system of equations. Depending on the particular problem, this system of equations can be quite difficult.

Computers are well-suited to doing tedious calculations. They certainly have the ability to solve the system of equations mentioned above. Do a little searching online.

  1. What are some software programs/packages that engineers use to solve problems of static equilibrium?
  2. Are there any freeware programs that can solve statics problems?
  3. Can you find any applets online that allow a user to manipulate beams, cables, masses, etc., and will then display the resulting force in a particular piece of the structure?
Share your links in the comments.

Posted by Brian Bearss at 11:57 AM

7 comments:

  1. NibzJanuary 3, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    http://www.freedownloadsarchive.com/s-download/solved-statics-problems-for-free.html

    I don't know if you were looking for something like this for problem number 2. I think this can solve static problems, but yet again I cannot download it due to my weak internet connection. I tried!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Brian BearssJanuary 4, 2011 at 8:14 AM

    Nibz, I followed your link and it brings me to a page that has a list of software to download. One program claims it can solve all my problems and "help me lead a happy life" :P

    I think this is an automatically generated list based on your search terms, and most of its suggestions have nothing to do with statics. Can you find a specific software title?

    ReplyDelete
  3. EsmereldaJanuary 4, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    http://www.biomesh.org/fea-basics

    To answer question one, Finite Element Analysis is one of the most widely recgnized engineering analysis programs in the world.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nero DarkstarJanuary 5, 2011 at 8:04 PM

    http://www.ajdesigner.com/

    To answer question 2,
    AJ Design Software provides programs, freeware applications, tools, solutions and online calculators for engineering, design, science and education problems, including statics problems.

    ReplyDelete
  5. roseDesireJanuary 6, 2011 at 9:45 AM

    There are quite a few different applets at "http://www.edinformatics.com/il/il_physics.htm" that appear to be about physics, including three-force balancing (equilibrium), newton's second law, vector addition, and even one about air-tracks ;) (Shout out to Mr. Bearss favorite physics experiment.) Also, in answer to question 1 (sort of), Product #PHY05, Modules 4 and 5, at "http://software.ceressoft.org/" is a physics suite for High School students that goes over static equilibrium, among other subjects. I was unable to find any online software that was for engineers, only items that seemed more like guides to physics for HS and College students. I don't know if these really count; would an engineer really use the same software as a student? "http://www.freebyte.com/cad/fea.htm" appears to be pushing a problem-solving type program that solves linear static, vibration, dynamic response steady/transient heat transfer, buckling, incompressible fluid flow, seepage, electromagnetic, electrostatic, D.C current and acoustic analysis problems. Also, it is very difficult to figure out how to post a comment. It took me ten minutes to get this to accept my comment.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Brian BearssJanuary 6, 2011 at 9:16 PM

    roseDesire,

    Nice post. I definitely will check out those links when I have a chance. I'm sorry you had trouble leaving your comment. Which part of the process was difficult? Maybe there's a way I can simplify things--I'll take a look.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Brian BearssJanuary 10, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    Thanks for the comments this week!

    ReplyDelete

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