Comparison

Structural Engineering Calc. vs PlateOptimize

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 59 structural formulas
  • Instant demand/capacity checks
  • Built-in AISC section database
  • Material and code references
  • USCS & SI unit support
  • Pass/Fail visual indicators
Features
Read full description

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.

About

PlateOptimize

Features
Read full description

"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."

Screenshots

Structural Engineering Calc.4 screens
PlateOptimize3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: PlateOptimize at Free against Structural Engineering Calc.'s $5.99. Structural Engineering Calc.'s advantage is 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Structural Engineering Calc. versus PlateOptimize: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStructural Engineering Calc.PlateOptimize
Price$5.99Free — better
Rating4.5 (20 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings20 — better
Update frequencyEvery 10 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.6 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperV PUGAZHENTHISHIVAM GAIND

In-app purchases

None

Structural Engineering Calc.

No in-app purchases

None

PlateOptimize

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Structural Engineering Calc. free?
Structural Engineering Calc. costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is PlateOptimize free?
PlateOptimize is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Structural Engineering Calc. or PlateOptimize have ads?
Neither Structural Engineering Calc. nor PlateOptimize shows ads.

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