Software
Reviews
Honest, engineer-tested reviews of the structural analysis, BIM, and design software that powers the industry.
The gold standard for general-purpose structural FEA. SAP2000 excels at bridge and infrastructure analysis with deep code-check libraries and a mature solver engine trusted across the industry.
- Unmatched bridge analysis workflows
- Extensive international code support
- Robust nonlinear analysis capabilities
- Dated user interface
- Steep learning curve for new users
Purpose-built for multi-storey building analysis and design. ETABS 2026 adds AI-powered load path optimisation, making it the most efficient tool for high-rise structural engineering workflows.
- AI-powered load path optimisation (new)
- Seamless building-specific modelling
- Excellent seismic and wind analysis
- Expensive licensing model
- Limited to building structures only
The industry leader for structural BIM and steel detailing. Tekla's constructability-focused modelling produces fabrication-ready outputs with unrivalled LOD 400 detail.
- Best-in-class steel detailing
- Multi-user collaboration on single model
- IFC and CNC fabrication export
- High hardware requirements
- Complex template customisation
Revolutionises steel connection design with CBFEM (Component-Based Finite Element Method). IDEA StatiCa makes complex connection checks that once took days achievable in hours.
- CBFEM connection analysis is unique
- Direct links to SAP2000, ETABS, Robot
- Outstanding visual reporting
- Narrow scope (connections only)
- Concrete module still maturing
A solid general-purpose FEA tool benefiting from tight Revit integration. Best suited for firms already invested in the Autodesk ecosystem who need BIM-to-analysis round-tripping.
- Seamless Revit bi-directional link
- Good Eurocode support
- Familiar Autodesk interface
- Solver performance lags behind CSI
- Limited nonlinear analysis options
The dominant BIM authoring platform for structural engineers in multi-disciplinary teams. Revit excels at coordination but requires careful workflow management for complex structural systems.
- Industry-standard for multi-discipline coordination
- Extensive family library
- Strong cloud collaboration via BIM 360
- Performance issues on large models
- Structural analysis capabilities are basic