Trusses and Frames
Browser-based tools for first-pass results for truss and frame structures.
Tip:
Documentation PDFs include user guides, solution methods, assumptions and references.
2D Trusses and Frames
2D Truss
2D truss loads and stresses.
Draw the members and provide member section properties and member loads.
Define nodal boundary conditions and loads.
Click on members or nodes to changes segment or nodal parameters.
The node positions are editable.
Select the solution option of static or normal modes.
Outputs include deflections, member loads and member stresses for the static solution and normal mode frequencies and mode shapes for the normal modes solution.
The static solution does not account for side sways affects.
2D Trusses and Frames
2D Frame
2D Frame loads and stresses.
Draw the members and provide member section properties and member loads.
Define nodal boundary conditions and loads.
Click on members or nodes to changes segment or nodal parameters.
The node positions are editable.
Select the solution option of static or normal modes.
Outputs include deflections, member loads and member stresses for the static solution and normal mode frequencies and mode shapes for the normal modes solution.
The static solution does not account for side sways affects.
2D Trusses and Frames
3D Frame - Statics
3D Frame loads and stresses.
Input or download files for nodes and segments.
Nodal data includes global x,y,z coordinates, boundary conditions of nodal displacements and rotation and nodal loads.
Segment data includes i and j nodes, modulus (E), shear modulus (G), section moments of inertia about the segment local yy and zz axes, torsional constant (Jyz), cross-sectional area (Ayz) and global x,y,z coordinates locating the local xz plane where the local xx axis is along the local segment axis starting at i node and ending at j node.
All the nodal and segment data can be edited once downloaded or edited from the default values.
Click Draw to show the frame in the mouse controlled graphics window.
Click Solve for the static solution. Outputs include deflections, member loads and member stresses for the static solution.
The static solution does not account for side sway affects.
3D Trusses and Frames
3D Frame - Modal
3D Frame modal.
Input or download files for nodes and segments.
Nodal data includes global x,y,z coordinates, boundary conditions of nodal displacements and rotation and nodal loads.
A weight can be given to a node.
Segment data includes i and j nodes, modulus (E), shear modulus (G), section moments of inertia about the segment local yy and zz axes, torsional constant (Jyz), cross-sectional area (Ayz), weight density and global x,y,z coordinates locating the local xz plane where the local xx axis is along the local segment axis starting at i node and ending at j node.
All the nodal and segment data can be edited once downloaded or edited from the default values.
Click Draw to show the frame in the mouse controlled graphics window.
Click Solve for the modal solution. Outputs include the first 3 modal frequencies and mode shapes.
The modes can be animated.
Quick selection
Which module should I use?
2D Truss : Static and/or normal modes for a truss structure where the nodes are moment free.
2D Frame : Static and/or normal modes for a frame structure where the nodes carry moments.
For safety-critical decisions, validate results independently with further detailed analyses and testing.
Methods, limitations, and responsibility Read once
These modules implement physics-based, low-order models for rapid engineering insight. They prioritize speed and transparency over high-fidelity FEA or similar. Assumptions, boundary conditions, and correlations used are documented in the PDFs and within the modules. Users are responsible for verifying applicability and results for their specific use case.
Questions: contact@xl4sim.com · See Terms
