Structural Engineering Calc. vs PlateOptimize
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
PlateOptimize
This app designs efficient steel base plates for structural columns using topology optimization. Input structural details and loading to receive an optimized plate thickness profile with a visual density map. Results can be exported as DXF for CAD integration.
- Topology optimization for steel base plates
- Input column dimensions, plate size, bolt layout, and loading
- Optimized plate thickness profile generation
- Visual density map of plate design
- DXF export for CAD integration
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"PlateOptimize uses topology optimization (SIMP method) to design efficient steel base plates for structural columns. Input your column dimensions, plate size, bolt layout, and loading — get an optimized plate thickness profile with a visual density map. Export results as DXF for CAD integration."
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Verdict
The clearest difference is price: PlateOptimize at Free against Structural Engineering Calc.'s $5.99. PlateOptimize also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.5). Structural Engineering Calc.'s advantage is ratings volume (21 vs 1) and iOS requirement (17.6 vs 26.2). On 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
PlateOptimize 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.
PlateOptimize holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Structural Engineering Calc. has 21 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
| Parameter | Structural Engineering Calc. | PlateOptimize |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.5 (21 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 21 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 10 months | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 — better | 26.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 6 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | V PUGAZHENTHI | SHIVAM GAIND |
In-app purchases
Structural Engineering Calc.
No in-app purchases
PlateOptimize
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Structural Engineering Calc. free?
Is PlateOptimize free?
Which has better reviews, Structural Engineering Calc. or PlateOptimize?
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