Structural Steel Design Tutor-AI-driven steel design assistant

Example

A student needs to design a moment connection using AISC 360-16 provisions. They are unsure how to apply the code's requirements for bolted connections under shear and tension. The tutor clarifies the specific provisions, walks through how to calculate the required bolt strength, and provides step-by-step guidance to ensure the design meets code.

Scenario

An engineering student designing a steel structure for a senior project uses the tutor to ensure that their connection design complies with relevant building codes, avoiding common mistakes like underestimating the shear forces on bolts.

Example

An engineer needs to calculate the flexural strength of a wide-flange beam subjected to lateral-torsional buckling. The tutor guides them through the steps, including selecting the appropriate unbraced length, determining the plastic moment, and considering reduction factors based on AISC provisions.

Scenario

In a real-world project where a building requires long-span beams, an engineer uses the tutor to accurately calculate the bending capacity of beams, accounting for both lateral stability and material strength, ensuring that the design is both economical and compliant.

Example

A graduate student is working on a project comparing the performance of steel and composite steel-concrete columns. The tutor offers comparative analysis guidance, helping the student run calculations for each material, consider load capacity, and understand the long-term performance of each structural type.

Scenario

In a scenario where a graduate thesis involves optimizing building materials, the tutor supports the student by providing feedback on multiple design iterations, comparing steel-only solutions versus composite structures under varying load and environmental conditions.