What is Civil Engineering Software

Civil Engineering Software are software that assist engineers during all major infrastructure project stages, including drafting, designing, visualization, and analysis. Civil Engineering Software offer solutions for structural analysis, model design, and project management. These tools include (but are not limited to) computer-aided design (CAD), road and bridge network modeling, building structure visualization, geological modeling, impact analysis, or event simulation.

Whether the project involves designing highways, measuring the impact of storms on drainage systems, or creating simulations of residential development construction, there is a wide selection of Civil Engineering Software that can meet your needs. There are general-use products that assist with any type of engineering project. There are also products that specialize in addressing more specific engineering projects like waterway or railway design. Regardless of its focus, the main benefit of using Civil Engineering Software is how it streamlines and automates time-consuming tasks, allowing designers to focus on more complex projects.

Civil Engineering Software Features

Civil Engineering Software typically include the following features:

2D and 3D aided drawing and object management
Team member collaboration platforms
Project and task management
Portfolio management
Loading parameter and loading combination generators
Field data collection
Structural analysis
Foundation calculation
Response-spectrum analysis
Linear and non-linear time-history behavior analysis
Vibration calculation
Interior design tools
Surveying tools
Design template library
Aerodynamic testing and simulation support
Aeronautical testing and simulation support
Hydraulic testing and simulation support
Geological testing and simulation support
Storm testing and simulation support
Network mapping
Material and component analysis
Cost estimation
Blueprint generation
Design code and regulation compliance analysis
Manual analysis coding
Risk analysis and scoring
Automated retesting and reconfiguration

Civil Engineering Software Comparison

When choosing the best Civil Engineering Software product for you, consider the following:

Type of engineering project. Civil engineering is a broad profession, and the range of products available for engineering is similarly diverse. The Autodesk AutoCAD suite has a tool for most projects, but some software may be better suited for your needs if you are working on something specific. For example, you may find that Autodesk Revit automated component analysis, automatic weight load calculation, and force action modeling features to be particularly helpful for construction engineering. Conversely, other products model complex geological conditions, making it useful for engineers to predict outcomes for events like earthquakes.

Usability. A Civil Engineering Software product can be overwhelming with their sheer number of features. As such, you’ll want to make sure you can choose a software that aligns comfortably with your skills and goals. Otherwise, you may find that you have spent precious time and effort learning the intricacies of a complicated program only to discover that it may not work as well as you had hoped. Certain products have a wide range of beginner friendly tools, helpfully partitioned off into separate programs so that you don’t become overwhelmed with choice. Some vendors provide in-program video help and instruction to assist with learning the program as you use it.

External program compatibility. Several Civil Engineering Software products are specialized in addressing the concerns of specific kinds of projects. As such, if you manage a range of projects and use different Civil Engineering Software products, you may find it beneficial to ensure that you can export the outcomes between programs.

Deployment options. You may find yourself needing a Civil Engineering Software while you’re away from your primary workstation, and as such you’ll want a product that you can access from your phone or a laptop. Autodesk AutoCAD has a range of options in its proprietary mobile app, making it a premiere choice for engineers who need to make frequent visits to remote sites. Several vendors also have cloud deployment options.

Modeling properties. Depending on how complex you want your 3D models to be, you’ll want a software that can provide a robust toolset. Autodesk 3DS Max has tools that allow for the creation of photorealistic 3D models, or models with complex organic motion. SketchUp has a library of user-created models, allowing for quick mockup creation without having to create assets yourself. ActCAD Professional has native Virtual Reality support, allowing for a unique modeling route.

Pricing Information

Pricing for Civil Engineering Software ranges between $275 to $800 per month for subscription based services, with enterprise or large-team pricing quotes available. More specialized software have one-time purchase fees starting at $2500. Many vendors offer free trials and free or discounted plans for engineering students.

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