iBeams vs Structural Engineering Calc.
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
iBeams
This tool helps structural engineers visualize and analyze beam behavior. It displays reaction, shear, moment, and deflection diagrams for various configurations. Users can edit load and geometric values for custom analysis.
- Beam and load configuration display
- Reaction, shear, moment, deflection diagrams
- Editable load values
- Editable geometric values
- Structural engineering analysis
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iBeams is a tool for structural engineers. The app displays various beam and load configurations along with the corresponding reaction, shear, moment, and deflection diagrams. Load and geometric values can be edited.
Structural Engineering Calc.
This app provides 59 essential structural engineering formulas for columns, beams, base plates, composite beams, and connections. It offers instant demand/capacity checks, a built-in AISC section database, and material references, supporting both USCS and SI units for on-site or office use.
- 59 structural formulas
- Instant demand/capacity checks
- Built-in AISC section database
- Material and code references
- USCS & SI unit support
- Pass/Fail visual indicators
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Structural Engineering Calculator delivers 59 AISC and ACI structural formulas with instant results, demand/capacity checks, a built-in AISC section database, and material references — all in one app. Whether you’re on site, in the office, or reviewing drawings, every calculation you need is in your pocket. 59 STRUCTURAL FORMULAS COLUMNS Critical Ratio (Cc), Effective Length Factor (K), Slenderness Ratio (KL/r), Allowable Compressive Stress (Sr less than Cc), Allowable Compressive Stress (Sr greater than Cc), Safety Factor, Maximum Axial Load. BEAMS Shear Capacity of Flexural Members, Allowable Bending Stress (Compact and Noncompact), Moment Gradient Factor (Cb), Allowable Flange Bending Stress, Plastic Moment (Mp), Lateral Unbraced Lengths (Lp and Lr), Limiting Buckling Moment (Mr), Nominal Moment (Mn), Critical Elastic Moment (Mcr), Allowable Shear Stress, Beam Deflection for UDL and Point Load. BASE PLATES Base Plate Area, Plate Thickness, Bearing Pressure, Flange and Web Thickness, Plate Dimensions N and B. COMPOSITE BEAMS Horizontal Shear for Concrete and Steel, Number of Shear Connectors, Transformed Section Properties, Modular Ratio, Elastic Neutral Axis. CONNECTIONS Allowable Shear with Tension Field Action, Allowable Bearing Stress for Rollers and Rockers, Axial Stress for Concentrated Loads, Allowable Bearing Stress on Fasteners, Number of Shear Connectors, Total Horizontal Shear. AISC CODE REFERENCES Every formula links directly to AISC and ACI clauses — AISC 360-16, AISC ASD 9th Edition, ACI 318-19, and AISC Design Guide 3. PASS / FAIL CHECK Instant visual adequacy check with demand/capacity ratio — green for PASS, red for FAIL. AISC SECTION PICKER Browse W-shapes (AISC 15th Edition) and auto-fill section properties instantly. REFERENCE TAB Built-in library with W-sections (W4–W44), ASTM materials (A36, A992, A572, A500, A325, A490, F1554), weld electrodes, concrete grades, and codes. USCS & SI UNITS Switch anytime between USCS (in, kip, ksi) and SI (mm, MPa) with automatic conversion. All section and material data included. Supports both USCS and SI units. Compatible with iPhone and iPad. One-time purchase — no subscriptions. References: AISC Steel Construction Manual 15th Edition, AISC 360-16, AISC ASD 9th Edition, ACI 318-19, AISC Design Guide 3.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: iBeams at 53% against Structural Engineering Calc.'s 0%. iBeams also leads on price (Free vs $5.99). Structural Engineering Calc.'s advantage is rating (4.5 vs 3.5) and ratings volume (20 vs 2). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
iBeams is free to download; Structural Engineering Calc. costs $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Structural Engineering Calc. holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Structural Engineering Calc. has 20 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 53% of iBeams's written reviews are positive against 0% of Structural Engineering Calc.'s, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
iBeams ships an update every 17 months, Structural Engineering Calc. every 10 months. Both last shipped on September 18, 2026.
| Parameter | iBeams | Structural Engineering Calc. |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $5.99 |
| Rating | 3.5 (2 ratings) | 4.5 (20 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 53.3% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 20 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 17 months | Every 10 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Norm Schuster | V PUGAZHENTHI |
Customer experience
iBeams
Structural Engineering Calc.
In-app purchases
iBeams
No in-app purchases
Structural Engineering Calc.
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is iBeams free?
Is Structural Engineering Calc. free?
Which has better reviews, iBeams or Structural Engineering Calc.?
Do iBeams or Structural Engineering Calc. have ads?
Which is updated more often, iBeams or Structural Engineering Calc.?
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