A modern tool for cross-section analysis.
About
The Section Properties Calculator is an online CAD tool that calculates properties used to determine the structural capability of beams used in aerospace and civil applications.
While working as an aerospace structures engineer, I found myself calculating section properties several times a day. To do this, I had three options:
-
Calculate properties by hand
-
Use a pre-existing Excel sheet
-
Use CAD software
Calculation by hand is tedious, requires approximations, and is prone to error. Excel requires the user to enter shapes in a non-intuitive way. Existing CAD software requires start up time, is expensive, and has a steep learning curve.
I was inspired by these drawbacks to create VisualCalcs.com and the Section Properties Calculator. VisualCalcs is a micro-SaaS venture offering easy to learn, always avaliable, and affordable online engineering tools. The Section Properties Calculator is an online CAD tool that addresses the pain points I experienced using other methods of section property calculation.
Technologies
This app uses JavaScript, HTML5, CSS, and Python and Flask.