A methodology for the evaluation of structural design software

Abstract A large number of commercial microcomputer-based structural design software programs have been introduced in recent years. Most of these programs have been developed for the design of a particular type of structure or a specific design methodology. This paper presents a two-step methodology for general evaluation of structural design software systems. The first step provides a quick means for the initial screening of the software packages. The second step employs benchmark criteria and tests for the purpose of final evaluation and rating of a selected number of packages. A tabular procedure is developed for summarizing and presenting the evaluation information. Without labelling any single package as the ‘best’, this methodology is intended to guide the potential user toward the selection of the most appropriate one.

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