ED-Beams and ED-Frames
ED-Beams and ED-Frames is an educational program package for the analysis of 1D beams and 2D framework structures using matrix methods. The user can calculate existing sample structures or generate new 1D-beam and 2D-framework structures. The analysis can be performed step by step or directly in one single step for either educational purposes or for professional application.ED-Beams and ED-Frames have been used in private enterprises as well as in public educational establishments as an essential teaching tool. Some universities, such as the Universitat Polit�cnica de Catalunya (Barcelona, Spain), are using these programs even up to Master Degree Level.
The didactic methodology consists of 3 modules:
Teoría
The Theory module includes a theoretical appendix (with the user manual) and a Windows-based Help system (with the programs), which summarises the fundamentals of structural analysis using matrix methods.
Examples
In the Example module the user follows the solution process as an observer. The
- node numbering,
- the calculation of the element stiffness matrices,
- the assembly of the element stiffness matrices,
- the calculation of the element load vectors,
- the assembly of the element load vectors,
- the resolution of the resulting linears system of equations and
- the drawing of the internal force diagrams
is entirely done by the programs.
Exercises
In the Exercise module the user is asked to actively participate in the solution process. The programs merely act as a tutor, guiding the user if needed. The user can manually absolve the
- node numbering,
- the calculation of the element stiffness matrices,
- the assembly of the element stiffness matrices,
- the calculation of the element load vectors,
- the assembly of the element load vectors,
- the resolution of the resulting linears system of equations and
- the drawing of the internal force diagrams.
Characteristics of ED-Beams and ED-Frames
- The user interface is interactive and user-friendly
- The programs allow the user to adopt individual learning strategies
- The programs improve the academic performance while the effort required is reduced
- The programs are ideal for self-learning methods
- Learning by doing real structural calculations
System Requirements
- 386-compatible PC or better
- 2 MB RAM (4 MB recommended)
- Microsoft Windows 3.1/95
Further Information
- The program package and the user manuals are available in English, Spanish, German and French.
- The programs are protected against copying and can only be installed on one computer at a time.
- Additional licences as well as network installations are also available.
