Structural Engineering lite vs SSI Steel Design
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.
SSI Steel Design
Easily determine the capacity of structural steel beams and columns. Get detailed calculation sheets to verify your work, designed according to AISC 360-16 standards. Features intuitive touch-based interaction and built-in material databases.
- Determine steel beam and column capacity
- Generate detailed calculation sheets
- Intuitive touch-based design input
- Supports AISC 360-16 standards
- Built-in material databases
- Saves calculation sheets as JPG
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Determine capacity of structural steel beam and column easily and obtain results and calculation sheets to double-check your work!! This is a great tool for civil engineers. You will find it useful to calculate capacity of built-up beam and column. The design is in accordance with the provision of AISC 360-16 which is the latest version of design theory. INTUITIVE TOUCH-BASED INTERACTION Quickly place dimensions of the built-up beam or column, and select the steel grade using a simple graphical design. Out solver algorithm will automatically solve and determine the capacity Immediately see what the maximum capacity of the section and also generate calculation sheet to see the calculation details and procedures simultaneously. The calculation sheet will be in .jpg form and automatically saved into your photo gallery. DOUBLY SYMMETRIC AND SINGLY SYMETRIC SECTION AND BUILT-IN MATERIALS Flexible dimensions can be placed to define the size of the section directly. The built-in databases of materials are also provided, including yield strength of 370 MPa, 420 MPa and 500 MPa CONTACT We want to hear from you!! Issues, questions, or requests? Please contact us via m.me/ssibuildingtechnology
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Structural Engineering lite at 60% against SSI Steel Design's 0%. Structural Engineering lite also leads on rating (4.2 vs 3.0) and ratings volume (19 vs 1). SSI Steel Design's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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 and SSI Steel Design sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Structural Engineering lite holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Structural Engineering lite has 19 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of Structural Engineering lite's written reviews are positive against 0% of SSI Steel Design's.
Structural Engineering lite ships an update every 6 months, SSI Steel Design every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Structural Engineering lite | SSI Steel Design |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.2 (19 ratings) — better | 3.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 19 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | Every 3 months — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 — better | 18.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 6 MB | 23 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | V PUGAZHENTHI | Sahaviriya Steel Industries Public Company Limited |
Customer experience
Structural Engineering lite
SSI Steel Design
In-app purchases
Structural Engineering lite
- Structural Engineering Calc.$5.99
SSI Steel Design
- Full Report Sheet$12.99
Questions
Is Structural Engineering lite free?
Is SSI Steel Design free?
Which has better reviews, Structural Engineering lite or SSI Steel Design?
Do Structural Engineering lite or SSI Steel Design have ads?
Which is updated more often, Structural Engineering lite or SSI Steel Design?
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