Best Structural Engineering Software for Windows
View:
Compare the Top Structural Engineering Software for Windows as of April 2025
Sort By:
What is Structural Engineering Software for Windows?
Structural engineering software is designed to provide engineers with the tools to efficiently and accurately analyze, design, and optimize building structures. This software often offers a wide range of calculations for steel, concrete, and timber designs, allowing the user to quickly conduct structural analysis. Structural engineering software also provides 3D modeling capabilities which enable visualization of layout plans as well as generate clear drawings. In addition, these programs are often accompanied by pre-defined library elements such as walls, beams, columns and slabs which save time during the design process. Finally, some packages may include an optimizer module that assists in finding the most economical structural design solution. Compare and read user reviews of the best Structural Engineering software for Windows currently available using the table below. This list is updated regularly.
-
1
ActCAD Software
Jytra Technology Solutions
ActCAD is a native dwg/dxf cad software suitable for professional 2D drafting and 3D modeling projects. ActCAD is trusted by over 30000 users in over 103 countries for more than 10 years. The interface, commands, icons, dialogs, shortcuts etc. are very much similar to other popular cad software tools available in market. Flexible license types available even for single license. There is no learning for existing cad users while saving 80% of the costs. ActCAD offers free email technical support without any limitations. ActCAD can be fully customized and programs can be developed using our free API toolkit. It supports popular programming languages like , lisp dcl, .net, C++ etc. Apart from all regular commands, ActCAD offers many productive tools like pdf to cad converter, Block libraries, Image to Cad converter, handling point sets between Cad and Excel and many more. ActCAD is suitable for any high end professional projects in the domains of Architecture, Civil, Mechanical,AutomotiveStarting Price: $249.00/one-time/user -
2
g-Viewer
Geomage
Geomage g-Viewer allows visualization and QC of different geophysical and seismic data. g-Viewer allows: - Load and QC Seg-Y files of any size - Load multiple Seg-Y files – 2D and 3D - Selection of active dataset from location map - Graphical representation of trace header(s) above seismogram view - Cross-plot any 3 trace headers (horizontal-vertical-color ) - Load of geometry from trace headers - Editing trace header scheme per each dataset - Selection and representation of CS/CR/CMP gathers picked from location map - Selection and representation of active trace from seismogram/location map - Editing text and bin headers - Auto-update feature allows to get new version whenever its available.Starting Price: $300/year/user -
3
ideCAD One AEC
ideYAPI
ideCAD One AEC is an Integrated multidisciplinary BIM Software for Architecture, Structural Engineering, and Detailing with Building Information Modeling (BIM). The Integrated Package provides Structural Engineers, Architects, and detailers with Integrated BIM, AEC, and CAD tools that support projects from early-stage design to construction. Create high-quality, high-performing Architectural and structural design with integrated design tools. Optimize projects with integrated Structural analysis, Steel design, Concrete design, Connection design, visualization, and simulation tools. Improve predictability in the field with integrated tools that maximize constructability and project coordination. Accelerate design processes and improve quality with integrated workflows for integrated design, modeling, multidiscipline coordination, and construction documentation.Starting Price: $3,800 per year -
4
VisualSFM
VisualSFM
VisualSFM is a GUI application for 3D reconstruction using structure from motion (SFM). The reconstruction system integrates several of my previous projects: SIFT on GPU(SiftGPU), Multicore Bundle Adjustment, and Towards Linear-time Incremental Structure from Motion. VisualSFM runs fast by exploiting multicore parallelism for feature detection, feature matching, and bundle adjustment. For dense reconstruction, this program integrates the execution of Yasutaka Furukawa's PMVS/CMVS tool chain. -
5
Simufact Welding
Hexagon
Simufact Welding is a modular product line, which offers comprehensive functionality for modeling the elastic-plastic behavior of materials and structural welding simulation. The software covers different welding processes. Simufact Welding is designed for modeling and simulation of a wide range of thermal joining processes by means of structural welding simulation including usual arc and beam welding processes as well as brazing. Additionally, Simufact Welding provides possibilities to model heat treatment processes, variations of cooling and unclamping setups as well as mechanical loading of welded structures. Identify critical distortions, i.e. with respect to assembly, bulging, imbalances, and clearances. Investigate and optimize clamping tools even before an investment in tools has been made. Identify optimal welding directions and welding sequences. -
6
RFEM
Dlubal Software
The FEA program RFEM allows for quick and easy modeling, structural and dynamic calculation, as well as the design of models with member, plate, wall, folded plate, shell, and solid elements. Due to the modular software concept, you can connect the main program RFEM with the corresponding add‑ons in order to meet your individual requirements. The structural analysis program RFEM provides structural engineers with a 3D FEA program that meets all requirements in modern civil engineering. Efficient data input and intuitive handling facilitate the modeling of simple and complex structures. The structural analysis program RFEM is the basis of a modular software system. The basic program RFEM is used to define structures, materials, and loads for planar and spatial structural systems consisting of plates, walls, shells, and members. The program also allows you to create combined structures as well as model solid and contact elements.Starting Price: €697.50 rent 1 month -
7
RSECTION
Dlubal Software
Do you often spend too long calculating cross-sections? Dlubal Software and the RSECTION stand-alone program facilitate your work by determining section properties of various cross-sections and performing a subsequent stress analysis. With the stand-alone program RSECTION, Dlubal Software provides you with a time-saving solution for the calculation of thin-walled and massive cross-sections. The program determines the section properties and performs a stress analysis. The seamless integration with the FEA software RFEM and the structural frame & truss analysis software RSTAB allows for efficient cooperation. RSECTION cross-sections are available in the RFEM and RSTAB libraries, and you can easily import the internal forces in the programs.Starting Price: €292.50 rent 1 month -
8
RSTAB
Dlubal Software
RSTAB is a powerful analysis and design software for 3D beam, frame, or truss structure calculations, reflecting the current state of the art and helping structural engineers meet requirements in modern civil engineering. Use the successful structural frame & truss analysis software RSTAB for your design of beam, frame, or truss structures consisting of steel, reinforced concrete, timber, aluminum, or other materials. With RSTAB, you can easily and quickly define a structural model and then calculate the internal forces, deformations, and support reactions. There are design add-ons at your side that you can use to consider the material- and standard-specific requirements.Starting Price: €487.50 rent 1 month -
9
123Build
Buildsoft
Within 123Build’s user-friendly environment, you simply draw a beam of frame structure on the screen. Next, the model is completed graphically and interactively with boundary conditions, permanent loads and variable loads. 123Build does all the work for you and always delivers an optimal result: the beam with the smallest height, the steel profile having the lesser weight or the girder with the maximum deflection limits. That way you can design as well economical as fast. 123Build is a complete solution which offers you all necessary functionality for optimal structural design, up to the creation of a concise and highly readable analysis report. On top of that, 123Build presents you a reinforcement sketch and list of material quantities: total volume timber and concrete, total weight and volume of reinforcement, painting surface and weight of steel.Starting Price: €800 one-time payment -
10
Revit MEP
Autodesk
Revit Building Information Modelling software helps engineers, designers and contractors across the mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) disciplines model to a high level of detail and co-ordinate with building project contributors. Streamline the engineering design process with Revit. Use a single model to enhance the communication of design intent, before construction begins. Conduct simulations and interference detection earlier in the design process. Use conceptual energy analysis data for engineering-driven calculations. Design, model and document building systems in the context of a full building information model, including architectural and structural components. Model for MEP fabrication with tools that automate the fabrication model layout. Prepare a model for detailed co-ordination of fabrication and installation. Revit helps team improve accuracy, and speed delivery.Starting Price: $1,503 per year -
11
Braceworks
Vectorworks
The Braceworks® add-on module for Vectorworks Spotlight provides design, production, and rigging professionals with an easy way to gauge the performance of temporary structures under load. This one-of-a-kind module helps ensure safety and compliance with engineering codes and standards, creating a completely integrated modeling, analysis, and documentation process in one interface. Regulatory requirements, such as the Eurocodes, and increasing requirements from venues, municipalities, and building owners, are making it necessary for event design, A/V, and rigging companies to produce load and structure calculations for sign off by structural engineers. Conduct static analyses and FEM analysis with results that display graphically on the model for easy reference. Automatically generate detailed calculation reports.Starting Price: $211 per month -
12
SPACE GASS
SPACE GASS
SPACE GASS is a multi-purpose 3D analysis and design program for structural engineers. Its extensive range of features make it suitable for anything from beams, trusses and frames to buildings, towers, tanks, cable structures and bridges. Capabilities include a 64-bit multi-core solver, silky smooth 3D rendered graphics, plate finite elements, frame elements, cable elements, tension/compression-only elements, moving loads and links to many CAD and building management programs. Why SPACE GASS Save time, money, and get a safe and efficient design. Silky smooth graphical interface that lets you see your changes visually as you go. A fast sparse matrix solver that fully utilizes the parallel processing power of multi-core computers. A wide range of structural modeling tools, analysis options and design modules. Comprehensive video tutorials to walk you through some of the tricky stuff. Configurable for stand-alone or floating network systems.Starting Price: $600 per month -
13
Fatigue Essentials
AppliedCAx
Fatigue Essentials is a desktop application used to efficiently conduct structural fatigue analysis. Fatigue Essentials provides a user-friendly tool for conducting stress-life analysis either using classical stress calculations or linked with FEMAP™ and using the finite element generated stresses. The program is structured to guide the user through the analysis by following a tree structure. General analysis options are selected following loads, materials, and spectrum branches. Within each branch are options for analysis variations or input methods. Analysis results are available on-screen to paste into a report and/or as a damage contour plot in FEMAP. Covers most engineering requirements. Classic mode with user input stresses. Professional mode (FEMAP-linked) with the ability to read nodal stresses and push back results in a damage contour plot. Option for either interactive input or file input for stresses and cycles.Starting Price: $695 one-time payment -
14
progeBILLD MEP
progeCAD
progeBILLD, professional MEP Building Services design software, includes modules for Electrical, Mechanical/Structural, and HVAC/Piping, including export of Bill of Materials information, and representation of manufacturer libraries for each industry application. progeBILLD Building Services software is very user-friendly. The program contains an intuitive, clear user interface, allowing you to begin designing without intensive software training. ProgeBILLD Mechanical/Structural is a powerful application to create mechanical and structural projects. It contains numerous libraries of standardized elements, steel profiles and other elements conforming to DIN, EN, ISO and other standards. Ready-to-use objects and commands automate the creation of details, schematics, and multi-view drawings. Thousands of industry standard bolts, screws, nuts, pins and other elements.Starting Price: $499 one-time payment -
15
PowerPad
MasterSeries
MasterSeries PowerPad is a complete structural analysis and design suite. It is the ideal software choice for engineers who require a wide range of design capabilities at an extremely affordable price. By bundling lite versions of the core analysis and design programs, MasterSeries PowerPad delivers a wide range of well-established programs (not pro-forma's) at less than a third of their full version price. At the heart of PowerPad is our powerful MasterFrame analysis module. This integrates directly with our steel, concrete, composite, and timber design modules to give you a seamless, fully integrated, 3D analysis and design environment. PowerPad (Student Edition) is a free version of our commercial PowerPad Plus structural analysis and design software suite. PowerPad is not a set of proformas, but lite copies of our real programs bundled together. Simple steel, concrete, and timber beam designer. Analysis of beams, trusses, plane frames, grillages and space frames.Starting Price: $102.50 per month -
16
RISA-3D
RISA
Our user interface was created to be as easy to use as possible. Whether you’re creating geometry graphically in multiple views using advanced modeling tools or using spreadsheets to input data directly, RISA-3D has you covered. RISA-3D’s analysis and design features allow you to rapidly design structures of all types using a wide range of materials. Design buildings, bridges, tanks, culverts, and everything in between. Create reports with both graphical and numerical results including robust detailed output, giving you and your colleagues full confidence in your design. The latest user interface of RISA-3D was created with a structural engineers' workflow in mind. The familiar left-to-right, tab-by-tab ribbon approach, makes it effortless to progress through a model from conception to final design optimization by simply following the icon sequencing. Additionally, users have the ability to customize the interface so that their most used tools are available at all times.Starting Price: $1,970 per year -
17
Home Designer
Chief Architect
Home Designer Software is the top-rated 3D interior design, remodeling and home design software. Based on technology from Chief Architect's professional architectural software, Home Designer is made easy for DIY. Discover why Home Designer is the best home design app to visualize and design your next house project. Chief Architect software is the professional tool of choice for architects, home builders, remodelers, and interior designers. Smart building technology makes it easy to create construction drawings, floor plans, elevations, 3D renderings, and 360 panoramic renderings. Chief Architect's software is purpose‑built for residential design with building tools that can automatically generate roofs, foundations, framing, and dimensions. As you draw walls, windows, and doors, the program simultaneously creates a 3D model. These 3D models can be shared with homeowners, structural engineers or subcontractors using the 3D Viewer app.Starting Price: $79 one-time payment -
18
AxisVM
InterCAD
The primary applications of AxisVM are in the design of buildings, and industrial and geotechnical structures. Due to its powerful finite element solver and practical modeling tools, it has also been used in bridge design, and in the design of composite structures, machines, and vehicles. Besides the basic configurations, optional design modules are available for structures made of reinforced concrete, steel, timber, and masonry members and connections. In addition, thanks to the special elements and analysis capabilities, users have successfully applied AxisVM to the design of innovative and custom structures. Reports can be created based on tables, drawings, and detailed design calculations with additional headings and text lines. Reports are auto-updating, i.e. generated based on the most current model data and results.Starting Price: $500 one-time payment -
19
ProSteel
Bentley
With ProSteel software you can efficiently create accurate 3D models for structural steel, metal work, and steel assemblies. You can then quickly generate design drawings, fabrication details, and schedules that automatically update whenever the 3D model changes. Additionally, detailed output to CNC machines automates the steel fabrication process. ProSteel fully supports your construction and planning tasks for structural steel and metal work in a 3D modeling environment. Working with AutoCAD or MicroStation, you get an intuitive and integrated multi-material modeler perfectly suited to layout complex structures, produce shop drawings, assemble all your connections, and manage your bills of materials. Quickly extract 2D drawings that automatically update when the 3D model changes. Easily exchange information with other disciplines thanks to interoperability with other Bentley and third-party applications.Starting Price: $4,193 per year -
20
ArtiosCAD
Esko
The world’s most popular structural design software for packaging. The world’s most popular structural design software for packaging, ArtiosCAD is designed to boost productivity for packaging professionals handling structural design, product development, virtual prototyping and manufacturing operations. With ArtiosCAD you don’t need to be a math genius to create challenging designs. The software handles all the metrics for you. It builds a perfectly fitting package around any imported 3D CAD product model. This way you’ll be able to focus solely on your creativity. ArtiosCAD saves hours of design work by turning custom designs into resizable design templates and adding them to your corporate library. A full integration of structural design and graphic design with production files also eliminates costly mistakes downstream in the workflow. Fold your design in 3D to check for inconsistencies before going to print.Starting Price: $206.67 per user per month -
21
LIRA-SAPR
LIRALAND Group
LIRA-SAPR is comprehensive software package that benefits from BIM technology. The software is intended for analysis and design of building and mechanical engineering structures of different purposes. - Static (forces and displacements) and dynamic analyses - Selection and check for sections of steel and/or reinforced concrete (RC) structures - Preliminary drawings of steel structures as well as separate RC elementsStarting Price: €280/month -
22
STAAD
Bentley
You can design, analyze, and document structural projects, anywhere in the world, with any material using STAAD. It offers you a flexible solution to cover all your structural engineering needs from the foundation up. STAAD is a comprehensive structural finite element analysis and design application that allows users to perform analysis on any structure exposed to static, dynamic, wind, earthquake, thermal, and moving loads. STAAD comes in different variations so you can choose what’s best for you. STAAD is a popular structural analysis application known for analysis, diverse applications of use, interoperability, and time-saving capabilities. STAAD helps structural engineers perform 3D structural analysis and design for both steel and concrete structures. A physical model created in the structural design software can be transformed into an analytical model for structural analysis. Many design code standards are incorporated into STAAD.Starting Price: $3,000 per year -
23
ProStructures
Bentley
ProStructures is a comprehensive steel and concrete design application used to increase your productivity and profitability. With ProStructures, you can create and automatically update 3D models that include structural steel and reinforced concrete structures. ProSteel is a comprehensive application that allows you to model and detail steel structures for a variety of industries. Develop models and documentation for steel structures efficiently. Confidently deliver an accurate 3D model for steel structures and extract engineering, fabrication, and erection drawings. Leverage automatic updates whenever the 3D model is changed. Produce drawings for every steel shape, connection, and plate work from the 3D model. Generate and update in-drawing, external reports, and bills of material. Create 3D models and design drawings, fabrication details, and schedules that automatically update whenever you change the 3D model.Starting Price: $7,162 per year -
24
MasterSeries
MasterSeries
MasterSeries is the UK's leading range of integrated structural analysis, design, drafting, and detailing software with over 10,000 users worldwide. From the industry-leading multi-material BIM-enabled modeling and design environment to a collection of powerful stand-alone modules, MasterSeries features the most extensive range of technically advanced structural engineering software you'll find under one roof. For you, this means you get more done in one package, avoiding the need to swap between different incompatible software and enter the same data multiple times. No two businesses are the same, so why should their software be? That's why the MasterSeries product range is modular in nature, providing an extremely flexible and scalable software solution. In this way you aren't forced to buy a costly single large product, perhaps with many features you don't need. You simply combine the modules you need to create the ideal software solution to meet the demands of your business. -
25
GPT GES
GPT
Block H125 mainly develops Qingshankou oil layer. The top structure of the Qing 1st sublayer is a broken nose structure blocked by reverse normal faults. The reservoir type is a layered lithological structure reservoir. The current injection-production scale is an encryption five-point well pattern, including 27 injection wells and 38 production wells. The main target layers in the north of Block H125 are delta front deposits. The main microfacies types of each sublayer are bars. Reservoir geological modeling technology is mainly divided into two major workflows structural modeling and property modeling. The property modeling includes sedimentary facies modeling, porosity modeling, permeability modeling, oil saturation modeling, and NTG modeling. In geological modeling, the first step is to use the well header and well picks to establish a structural model and to set the increment in I and J direction to control the grid quality and well pattern. -
26
SolidFEA
BIMWERX
SolidFEA is our innovative solid finite element analysis tool, designed to make advanced structural engineering design both accessible and affordable. Powered by the Calculix engine, it offers detailed sub-model analysis with lower cost and hardware requirements than competitors like Abaqus. Ideal for complex engineering challenges, including steel connections and bridge engineering, SolidFEA democratizes specialty software with ease of use and IFC file format compatibility, complementing our GenFEA software for comprehensive structural analysis. SolidFEA marks a transformative step in structural engineering design, bridging the gap that has long existed due to the prohibitive costs, complex learning curves, and high-end computing requirements associated with solid finite element analysis (FEA). Designed for ease of use, it supports IFC file format imports, making it a seamless addition to engineering workflows. -
27
GenFEA
BIMWERX
GenFEA stands as a testament to our dedication and enthusiasm, born from years of meticulous development and research. This 'passion project' is now set to revolutionize the industry, thanks to its AI-enhanced features that bring state-of-the-art technological advancements to the global market. With GenFEA, we are poised to make a significant impact, offering groundbreaking solutions that are ready to meet the challenges and demands of the international AEC landscape. Structural engineering software has long been characterized by its steep price tags, steep learning curves, and a noticeable lag in integrating modern technological advancements. By leveraging the latest in artificial intelligence, offering an intuitive user experience, and ensuring affordability, GenFEA is dedicated to making advanced structural analysis and design tools accessible, user-friendly, and in step with the cutting-edge technologies that define our era. -
28
Altair SimSolid
Altair
By performing structural analyses on fully featured CAD assemblies within minutes, SimSolid is the game-changing simulation technology for designers, engineers, and analysts. It eliminates geometry preparation and meshing: the two most time-consuming, expertise-extensive and error-prone tasks performed in a conventional structural simulation. Multiple design scenarios can be simulated quickly under real-life conditions. Early CAD models, in any common format, can be used. SimSolid tolerance of imprecise geometry means that, unlike CAD-embedded simulation tools, there is no need to simplify complex geometries before analyzing designs. SimSolid supports all typical connections (bolt/nut, bonded, welds, rivets, sliding) and analysis of linear static, modal, thermal properties, along with more complex coupled, nonlinear, transient dynamic effects. -
29
SwiftComp
AnalySwift
SwiftComp is a revolutionary multiscale, multiphysics composite simulation code that quickly and easily delivers the accuracy of 3D FEA at the efficiency of simple engineering models. In doing so, SwiftComp reduces barriers for engineers by enabling them to model composites as easily as metals using conventional structural elements in their FEA codes (without losing accuracy while capturing all the microstructural details). SwiftComp provides unified modeling for 1D (beams), 2D (plates/shells), or 3D structures, calculating all the effective properties. Use SwiftComp either independently for virtual testing of composites or as a plug-in to power your conventional structural tools with high-fidelity composites modeling. SwiftComp can compute the best structural model for use in macroscopic structural analysis, as well as perform dehomogenization to compute the pointwise stresses in the microstructure. SwiftComp directly interfaces with ABAQUS, ANSYS. -
30
VABS
AnalySwift
VABS is a popular general-purpose cross-sectional analysis tool for quickly and easily computing beam properties and recovering 3D fields of composite beams, including helicopter and wind turbine blades. It is the only tool capable of rigorously decoupling an original 3D slender solid with complex microstructure into a simple engineering beam model. AnalySwift’s roots are in the aerospace industry, where its tools have been used for composite beams (helicopter rotor blades, propellers, high aspect ratio wings, wing section design), plates/shells, and 3D structures. Used for several years in the wind turbine industry, VABS delivers rapid, rigorous results when modeling wind turbine blades. SwiftComp provides additional solutions for plates/shells, and 3D structures manufactured from composites. As the automobile industry adopts a higher use of composites, opportunities increase to leverage SwiftComp and VABS to model a wide variety of structures, including beams, plates, shells, etc.