Structural Engineering lite vs Steel Sections
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.
Steel Sections
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Steel Sections is a practical and fast-to-use tool designed to assist in the structural design of steelwork. The application, conceived and developed by Fondazione Promozione Acciaio and tested by leading executive design firms, architectural practices, and structural engineers, features a comprehensive database of over 9,000 steel profiles: IPE, IPN; HE, HD, HL, HLZ, HP; T-sections; UPN, UPE, U channels; equal and unequal leg angles; hot-finished and cold-formed circular, square, and rectangular hollow sections; plates; sheet piling; cold-formed steel (CFS) sections and sandwich panels. Key Features and Functionality: • Commercial Availability: Real-time data on profile availability, procurement lead times, and minimum order quantities. • Profile Search & Geometric Data: Quick and advanced search via category-specific filters. • Beam Verification: Calculation of stresses and deflections for single-span beams, including Ultimate Limit State (ULS) resistance checks and Serviceability Limit State (SLS) deformation checks. Calculations are adaptable based on boundary conditions, span length, loading types, profile arrangement, and steel grade. • Plate Verification: Thickness-based assessment. • Mass and Surface Area: Calculation per unit length. • Critical Load: Evaluation of the buckling load for members. • Design Resistance: Calculation of cross-sectional design strength. • Structural Analysis: Calculation of internal forces and deflections for both statically determinate and indeterminate beams. • User Customization: A "Favorites" section to save up to 50 profiles and a "Compare" function to evaluate different profile characteristics side-by-side. Future updates will integrate additional products and advanced functionalities.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Steel Sections at none against Structural Engineering lite's 1. Steel Sections also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 6 months). 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. Steel Sections asks for nothing beyond the download.
Structural Engineering lite ships an update every 6 months, Steel Sections every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Structural Engineering lite | Steel Sections |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.2 (19 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 19 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | Every 3 months — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 6 MB | 63 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | V PUGAZHENTHI | Fondazione Promozione Acciaio |
In-app purchases
Structural Engineering lite
- Structural Engineering Calc.$5.99
Steel Sections
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Structural Engineering lite free?
Is Steel Sections free?
Do Structural Engineering lite or Steel Sections have ads?
Which is updated more often, Structural Engineering lite or Steel Sections?
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