Structural Engineering lite vs CSiSections
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Structural Engineering lite
This app provides engineers with essential structural formulas and calculations for civil construction projects. It offers instant results, demand/capacity checks, and a built-in database of materials and sections, all accessible on mobile devices.
- 59 structural formulas (AISC/ACI)
- Instant demand/capacity checks
- Built-in AISC section database
- Material and code references
- USCS & SI unit support
- Pass/Fail visual indicator
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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/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 inches/ksi and mm/MPa with automatic conversion. All section and material data included. Supports both USCS and SI units. Compatible with iPhone and iPad. Pay once — no subscriptions. References: AISC Steel Construction Manual 15th Edition, AISC 360-16, AISC ASD 9th Edition, ACI 318-19, AISC Design Guide 3.
CSiSections
This utility app calculates the structural properties of over 25 common cross-section shapes. It's designed for engineers needing quick results and students learning calculation procedures.
- Computes properties for 25+ cross-section shapes
- Defines geometry of parametric cross-sections
- Provides basic and advanced structural properties
- Generates detailed calculation reports
- Responsive graphics
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CSiSections is an app that conveniently computes the structural properties of cross-sections of more than 25 shapes. CSiSections is an essential tool for engineers who quickly need the properties of commonly used sections and also for students who want to learn about the calculation procedures for structural properties of various sections. Application / Usage: • Define geometry of parametric cross-sections • Conveniently computes structural properties of simple and complex structural cross-sections Target Users: • Engineers who need structural properties of commonly used sections quickly • Students and teachers who want to know the structural properties of various cross-sections and calculation procedures Key Features: • More than 25 parametric sections, 6 shape categories to choose from • Responsive graphics • Detailed calculation reports Key Input: • Section type, dimensions Key Output: • Basic properties: Area, inertia, radius of gyration, section modulus • Advanced properties: Shear area, torsional constant • Principal properties: Principal angle, principal moment of inertia
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Structural Engineering lite at 4.2 against CSiSections's 3.5. Structural Engineering lite also leads on ratings volume (19 vs 2). CSiSections's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On price 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
Both are free to download. Structural Engineering lite sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. CSiSections asks for nothing beyond the download.
Structural Engineering lite holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Structural Engineering lite has 19 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Structural Engineering lite ships an update every 6 months, CSiSections monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Structural Engineering lite | CSiSections |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.2 (19 ratings) — better | 3.5 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 19 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 9.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 6 MB | 12 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | V PUGAZHENTHI | Computers and Structures, Inc. |
In-app purchases
Structural Engineering lite
- Structural Engineering Calc.$5.99
CSiSections
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Structural Engineering lite free?
Is CSiSections free?
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