About the project

The frame calculator analyses plane frame structures directly in the browser: support reactions, internal force diagrams and deformations for beams, frames and trusses, statically determinate or indeterminate.

Who is behind it

I am Emanuel, and I study civil engineering at TU Wien. I develop and run the calculator privately, alongside my studies. Full details about me are given in the imprint.

How the calculator came about

The tool grew out of my own needs as a student: to recalculate frame structures quickly and to check my own hand calculations. The frame calculator is a private project and is not offered by TU Wien.

How it calculates

The analysis uses the direct stiffness method for plane frame structures by first-order theory with linear-elastic material. Statically determinate and indeterminate structures follow the same path. How this works in detail, with derivations and worked examples, is explained in the theory section.

After every analysis the calculator checks equilibrium of loads and support reactions. The results have been compared with hand calculations and exam problems. They are meant for checking and understanding and do not replace a structural analysis to code or a design.

Cost and funding

The calculator is free of charge and needs no sign-up, and it will stay that way – it is meant above all for students. The costs of the domain and of running the site are covered by advertising from Google AdSense.

The analysis itself runs entirely in your browser; the structures you enter are not sent to a server. What else is processed when you visit the site, including by the advertising, is described in the privacy policy.

Found an error, have a request?

Feedback is welcome, especially on results that do not match your hand calculation. The quickest way to reach me is on LinkedIn; further contact details are in the imprint.