Getting Started > System Overview & Design Philosophy

ENERCALC SEL is a collection of modules that provides analysis and design functionality for components of buildings.

Walls, columns, beams, footings, diaphragms, frames, and other common elements can be thoroughly engineered through the use of the modules in this package. If you are a typical engineer whose work consists of a regular flow of small and medium-sized projects, this package is designed specifically for you.

As an engineer you will find that each module combines the governing code provisions, mathematical analysis processes, and commonly available construction materials into a simple and effective "calcpad" style fill-in-the-blanks program. You can feel partially relieved that the software will consistently perform all the required checks that may be skipped over when doing repetitive hand calculations....especially when fatigue sets in and a deadline is near! You can enjoy the time to do more exhaustive design studies, come up with safer and more economical designs, and enjoy clearly documented calculations for review and archiving.

This software is not a "black box" program. Each calculation is designed to be a "visible calcpad" where you can work with the data and immediately view the resulting calculations. Automatic design is provided in most modules, and is intended primarily to automate tedious iterative tasks.

You, as an experienced structural engineer or architect, can quickly enter and change member sizes and other design parameters and view the results. In this way, ENERCALC SEL maximizes the use of your time and design skills by enabling you to quickly define a concept and then make necessary modifications to refine it into a final design.