sectionproperties — The Complete Guide: Properties of Any Cross-Section by Finite Elements in Python
sectionproperties is an open-source Python library (MIT licence) that computes the geometric properties of a cross-section of any shape using a finite element mesh. It is useful exactly where the tables run out: a complex, non-standard or multi-material section.
sectionproperties
Robbie van Leeuwen
Section properties of any shape by finite elements — inertia, torsion, warping, shear centre and stresses in the section.
Get it from the vendorWhat you get
- Basic properties — area and moments of inertia.
- Torsion and warping — the torsion constant and warping constants.
- Shear centre — plus plastic section moduli.
- Stresses in the section — apply forces and moments and view the stress distribution.
- Composite sections — several materials, such as reinforced concrete.
How to use it
You define the geometry from coordinates, a DXF file or the built-in section library. Then you create a mesh, run the analysis and get the properties and plots. It is comfortable to work in JupyterLab. As with any calculation tool, checking the results remains the user’s responsibility.
Related tools
For analysing a structure with the section you calculated — Pynite. For presenting the calculation as a readable calc sheet — handcalcs. For 2D frame analysis — anaStruct.
Pynite
D. Craig Brinck (JWock82)
A Python library for 3D finite element analysis of frames, plates and shear walls — static, P-Δ, modal and PDF reports.
Get it from the vendor
handcalcs
Connor Ferster
Turns Python calculations in Jupyter into hand-calc style sheets — formula, substituted values and result, in LaTeX.
Get it from the vendor
anaStruct
Ritchie Vink and contributors
Quick 2D frame and truss analysis in Python — moments, shear, axial force and displacements in a few lines of code.
Get it from the vendor
XC
XC developers (xcfem)
Finite element structural analysis scripted in Python, with checking tools for Eurocode 2 and 3, ACI 318 and AISC 360.
Get it from the vendorThe bottom line
sectionproperties delivers accurate section properties for any shape in a few lines of code. An excellent tool for special sections, composite sections and checking table values.