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what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? - Career (2) - Nairaland

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Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by batstan(m): 8:25am On Jun 25, 2018
Horlamidei:
Please help with a Construction firm where I can have my Industrial Training, plz!
Location?
Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by kokomaster3d: 8:25am On Jun 25, 2018
As a highway engineer AutoCAD Civil 3D is the best. Men this software rocks. When used with Infraworks, it can even design a whole smart city.

3 Likes

Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by Josipov: 8:30am On Jun 25, 2018
What softwares are ideal for road and bridge
I mean for both drawing and designing
Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by Nissybright(m): 8:44am On Jun 25, 2018
kokomaster3d:
As a highway engineer AutoCAD Civil 3D is the best. Men this software rocks. When used with Infraworks, it can even design a whole smart city.
Have you tried CivilCAD?
Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by elwhizzy: 8:45am On Jun 25, 2018
Wonderful write up.
I must just make this known for the sake of emphasis. Please, learn Autocad 2D. I say this for the following reasons,
-There are more employment opportunities for people who know autocad 2D as fresh graduates.
-Autocad makes learning other design software easy for you
-It is easy to learn
-Autocad 2D is used in most companies to do detailing and design.
-Its still the most used software in engineering and drafting.
As you lean other software, my advice is, learn Autocad along the way, if all these other numerous software dont get you in, believe me, Autocad will.

4 Likes

Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by Nissybright(m): 8:46am On Jun 25, 2018
Josipov:
What softwares are ideal for road and bridge
I mean for both drawing and designing
for road-CivilCAD, Bridge -SAP
Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by Emusan(m): 9:00am On Jun 25, 2018
Truly Orion is for beginners!

ARCHICAD is also good for 3D it even has a new feature called Eptar which is for reinforcement arrangement in 3D.

I love Etabs and Staad pro....

Op you didn't include Prokon it's very good too

1 Like

Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by Emusan(m): 9:03am On Jun 25, 2018
Nissybright:
Have you tried CivilCAD?
I agree with @kokomaster3d AUTOCAD land desk is dope for road design.
Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by Emusan(m): 9:07am On Jun 25, 2018
Josipov:
What softwares are ideal for road and bridge
I mean for both drawing and designing

For road you can use AutoCAD Civil 3D this gives you opportunity to geo-reference your drawing.

For bridge I go with Staad pro
Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by feeloscar(m): 9:13am On Jun 25, 2018
einsteino:
I have been getting lots of pm asking, what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn?
That would depend on a number of factors. if you work in an organised firm, the firm would narrow down your options as it would already have purchased multi-user license for a software, it is either you have proficiency in that software or you learn fast. Also you would likely have a designation that narrows your duties to a specific subject area.

On the other hand if you work for smaller firms or freelance, you would likely be allowed to choose what suits you and wouldnt get the luxury of specialising in a subject area. Nonetheless, your considerations should cover support, ease of use, intuitiveness of User interface, functions/features, learning curve, cost of software and most importantly the nature of the project at hand.

Civil engineering softwares can be grouped into the following;

Building design software: these usually are only able to handle buildings and are easier to use and comes with rudimentary detailing features. In this category you have Orion, protastructures, tekla structural designer, Etabs etc.

General Analysis/Design software: These are versatile software, they are flexible and leaves you to conceptualize whatever you fancy, while it handles the computation. You would have to be well grounded in analysis and design concepts to correctly use these. E.g STAAD PRO, Robot Structural Analysis, Midas, SAP 2000, SAFE, STAAD FOUNDATION.

Detailing suites: Most Engrs hate detailing, it is time demanding and sucks! even worse, an average joe wouldnt appreciate the effort/technicality it takes. You may be saying "but orion automatically generates details, tekla structural designer does too"..the tuth is you wouldnt dare submit their detail drawings without painstaking revising and editing it, except you dont know what you are doing or work in an environment where anything goes. atimes you would find certain details from it are just not usable and doesn't meet the standards of either your employer or client. This is where detailing suites come in, they are bespoke softwares that lets you detail in 2D whatever you wish, however you wish with the aid of intelligent codefied macros. example of these are Allplan, Cads RC, Autocad stŕuctural detailing.

Building information modelling software: These are 3D modelling suites that contains parametric data of elements of the project you have modelled, but have no capability of analysis/design. Its mainly for exporting/integrating with analysis software. they also have detailing features and are mainly used for steel projects e.g Tekla, Revit Structure, Advance steel etc.

other civil/Bespoke software: These are special need software, you may never need them depending on your career path. E.g
SACS, EPASWMM, Civil 3D, Water Gem, EPA NET, PLAXIS, ANSYS, Mstower, Tstower, All pile, CSI Bridge, PHA-PRO etc.


if you are a neophyte to CAD, start with the Building design softwares, a popular but unwise choice is Orion, you would be better off with Etabs or Tekla structural designer. when you have come up, get your teeth into Robot/Staad pro/Sap 2000 and pick either Cads Rc or ASD for your detailing needs.

to try most of the softwares out for free as a student, simply visit their website and register with your university email, you would be granted an educational license, at least for most of them.

Would learning a software make you a great engr? The answer is No! softwares only help you automate repetitive and redudant process, you need a very good grasp of the theories and principles of engineering, marrying that with proficiency in a powerful software and insights from seasoned engineers would make you a better and more productive engineer. A very good book to start with is "Three Dimensional Static and Dynamic Analysis of Structures"
Thanks a million.

1 Like

Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by kokomaster3d: 9:14am On Jun 25, 2018
Nissybright:
Have you tried CivilCAD?

AutoCAD Civil 3D is more powerful than CivilCAD.
Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by Horlamidei(m): 9:15am On Jun 25, 2018
batstan:

Location?

Abuja, Lagos or Ogun but I will prefer Abuja because am in abuja presently. Please..!
Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by LZAA: 9:18am On Jun 25, 2018
DonFreshmoney:
Hav u heard about a software called pussycat software? You only need a single tool to operate this software, and is very easy to learn.

Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by Horlamidei(m): 9:31am On Jun 25, 2018
chomchom1:
Op pls create whatapp group for civil/ st please...

3rd
Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by feeloscar(m): 9:31am On Jun 25, 2018
Josipov:
What softwares are ideal for road and bridge
I mean for both drawing and designing
For bridge design,csi bridge and midas civil
Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by donqx: 9:35am On Jun 25, 2018
hmm
Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by EngrBouss(m): 9:58am On Jun 25, 2018
einsteino:
I have been getting lots of pm asking, what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn?
That would depend on a number of factors. if you work in an organised firm, the firm would narrow down your options as it would already have purchased multi-user license for a software, it is either you have proficiency in that software or you learn fast. Also you would likely have a designation that narrows your duties to a specific subject area.

On the other hand if you work for smaller firms or freelance, you would likely be allowed to choose what suits you and wouldnt get the luxury of specialising in a subject area. Nonetheless, your considerations should cover support, ease of use, intuitiveness of User interface, functions/features, learning curve, cost of software and most importantly the nature of the project at hand.

Civil engineering softwares can be grouped into the following;

Building design software: these usually are only able to handle buildings and are easier to use and comes with rudimentary detailing features. In this category you have Orion, protastructures, tekla structural designer, Etabs etc.

General Analysis/Design software: These are versatile software, they are flexible and leaves you to conceptualize whatever you fancy, while it handles the computation. You would have to be well grounded in analysis and design concepts to correctly use these. E.g STAAD PRO, Robot Structural Analysis, Midas, SAP 2000, SAFE, STAAD FOUNDATION.

Detailing suites: Most Engrs hate detailing, it is time demanding and sucks! even worse, an average joe wouldnt appreciate the effort/technicality it takes. You may be saying "but orion automatically generates details, tekla structural designer does too"..the tuth is you wouldnt dare submit their detail drawings without painstaking revising and editing it, except you dont know what you are doing or work in an environment where anything goes. atimes you would find certain details from it are just not usable and doesn't meet the standards of either your employer or client. This is where detailing suites come in, they are bespoke softwares that lets you detail in 2D whatever you wish, however you wish with the aid of intelligent codefied macros. example of these are Allplan, Cads RC, Autocad stŕuctural detailing.

Building information modelling software: These are 3D modelling suites that contains parametric data of elements of the project you have modelled, but have no capability of analysis/design. Its mainly for exporting/integrating with analysis software. they also have detailing features and are mainly used for steel projects e.g Tekla, Revit Structure, Advance steel etc.

other civil/Bespoke software: These are special need software, you may never need them depending on your career path. E.g
SACS, EPASWMM, Civil 3D, Water Gem, EPA NET, PLAXIS, ANSYS, Mstower, Tstower, All pile, CSI Bridge, PHA-PRO etc.


if you are a neophyte to CAD, start with the Building design softwares, a popular but unwise choice is Orion, you would be better off with Etabs or Tekla structural designer. when you have come up, get your teeth into Robot/Staad pro/Sap 2000 and pick either Cads Rc or ASD for your detailing needs.

to try most of the softwares out for free as a student, simply visit their website and register with your university email, you would be granted an educational license, at least for most of them.

Would learning a software make you a great engr? The answer is No! softwares only help you automate repetitive and redudant process, you need a very good grasp of the theories and principles of engineering, marrying that with proficiency in a powerful software and insights from seasoned engineers would make you a better and more productive engineer. A very good book to start with is "Three Dimensional Static and Dynamic Analysis of Structures"


Contact me for all of the above listed software products on 07087210933. Up-to-date software with comprehensive training tutorials (PDF and videos). You can click on my profile for more details

Providing these services since 2015.

Thanks
Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by Nissybright(m): 10:16am On Jun 25, 2018
Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by engrelvis(m): 10:40am On Jun 25, 2018
Horlamidei:


Me too.......i only know how to use AutoCAD.......so sad of me!
u r nt ready den.gud write up Op.n another thing young engineers shud try n belong to our professional bodies (COREN n NSE).it helps .
Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by engrelvis(m): 10:42am On Jun 25, 2018
EngrBouss:



Contact me for all of the above listed software products on 07087210933. Up-to-date software with comprehensive training tutorials (PDF and videos). You can click on my profile for more details

Providing these services since 2015.

Thanks
u r base where?
Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by Amastermovic(m): 11:36am On Jun 25, 2018
I can do the manual calculations and use Csc Orion.. but I need to know other software but this software are difficult to come by here I could have learn online if you r in Abk or lag and ve some of this design software holla me..
Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by jimaglory: 12:12pm On Jun 25, 2018
Mira Technologies is recruiting. The jobs are for Software Developer (intermediate) and Administrative Secretary/Assistant.

Send your CV to info@miratechnologiesng.com
Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by BestDealPropert(f): 1:29pm On Jun 25, 2018
Amastermovic:
I can do the manual calculations and use Csc Orion.. but I need to know other software but this software are difficult to come by here I could have learn online if you r in Abk or lag and ve some of this design software holla me..
Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by Nissybright(m): 5:33pm On Jun 25, 2018
Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by Squirrel01: 6:21pm On Jun 25, 2018
The link is not working.
Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by Gaspardd(m): 2:03pm On Jun 26, 2018
Horlamidei:


Me too.......i only know how to use AutoCAD.......so sad of me!
Lol bro, it cud have been worse, the worst is not having connection...try knowing sn that knows sn...dont be like me that doesnt. Thats d part that súcks balls most angry angry

1 Like

Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by micxwell(m): 10:17am On Jun 27, 2018
hakeem4:
prota structures is an advanced version of Orion. It designs and details steel also
smileyI'm aware of that. It's funny though but i'll rather use Orion and some other software say STAADS for steel. Exports from Prota details requires much more editing in AutoCAD than those from Orion. The only reason I would have preferred using Prota is the staircase detailing but unfortunately it's not giving the appropriate result (could be that I'm doing it wrongly though) but I'd rather design and detail it manually jor. No time.
Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by micxwell(m): 10:53am On Jun 27, 2018
hakeem4:
but staad isn’t economical
ETABS is fair compared to STAADS. Though STAADS does it better for steel designs.

1 Like

Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by micxwell(m): 11:00am On Jun 27, 2018
Amastermovic:
I can do the manual calculations and use Csc Orion.. but I need to know other software but this software are difficult to come by here I could have learn online if you r in Abk or lag and ve some of this design software holla me..
Brother, help yourself please. send me an email "aolawalemic@gmail.com". I'm not introducing/advertising anything to you please. I've been where you are.
Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by micxwell(m): 11:29am On Jun 27, 2018
coolestchris:
how can I learn all this software effectively
How I did this. For a young graduate Engineer, get Victor Oyenuga's book "SIMPLIFIED REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN" about 3k. Go through the book and pick one reinforced concrete element at a time i.e. slabs, beams, columns, foundation etc. So you can see what experience the man has gathered over the years. If you don't have a BS CODE (8110), download one though Eurocode is what we should stick to but it's still fine. At the back of the book there are two full building designs. One is framed and the other isn't. Download Reinforced concrete detailing manual to BS-8110 online. Finally look for CSC orion software for a start preferably version 18. There are #3 manuals available in the help menu of CSC Orion which is absent in Prota Structures.
First is the QUICK START TUTORIAL pdf, Standard Training Manual and Orion Engineers Handbook. Start with the Quick start tutorial up to the Engineers hand book. I bet you you'll know how Orion works. Later you can upgrade to ETABS, SAP 2000 & SAFE, STAAD PRO for both advanced steel and reinforced concrete design.

N.B Knowing AutoCAD is verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry important bro. Its the basics. Youtube and Lynda.com can help too.

2 Likes

Re: what software should a young Civil/Structural Engineer learn? by hakeem4(m): 2:19pm On Jun 27, 2018
micxwell:

smileyI'm aware of that. It's funny though but i'll rather use Orion and some other software say STAADS for steel. Exports from Prota details requires much more editing in AutoCAD than those from Orion. The only reason I would have preferred using Prota is the staircase detailing but unfortunately it's not giving the appropriate result (could be that I'm doing it wrongly though) but I'd rather design and detail it manually jor. No time.
yes I’ve noticed that protaslab detailing is tedious. But the steel is alright. While staad modelling is toooooooooooooooooo tedious

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