Frame Analysis

indicative

Design standard

Calculation standard

Sets screening knobs for Indicative practice — not product type or catalog geometry

Elastic screening factors for brackets, rails, and non-code members. Section geometry stays free.

Allowable stress 60% of yieldDeflection L/360Target SF 2.00

Reference standards

Roark's FormulasTimoshenko beam theoryMachinery's Handbook

Validate — verify what you entered

Auto-design runs a solver-backed sizing search, applies the best candidate, then runs the full validation check.

Frame geometry

Define the portal frame geometry, beam properties, and the point load for analysis.

Beam section library

Span

Height

Axial area

Moment of inertia

Material

Recommended for beam: ASTM A992 (W-shapes) — Highest strength/weight ratio among common W-shape grades

Young's modulus

Midspan downward load

Element count

Slider up to 500 elements; type a higher value in the box if you need a finer mesh.

Continue workflow

Typical next steps after Frame Analysis

Design help & referenceShow

Reference documentation

Standards, catalogs, and technical write-ups relevant to this module.

Candidate strategy

Typical Auto-design directions for frame analysis.

Option	Basis	Pass	Tradeoff
Light candidate	Minimum envelope	Check stress and deflection	Lowest mass; lowest reserve
Balanced candidate	Target utilization	Pass expected	Best first production choice
Stiff candidate	Deflection margin	Pass with reserve	Higher mass and cost