CASA Plane Truss 2D 21.05

The CASA PT-2D app serves as a tool for static elastic analysis of 2D plane-truss structures within the realm of structural and civil engineering. It enables engineers to construct 2D models of plane-trusses, providing both detailed numerical results and graphical visualizations of deflections and internal forces. The interface emphasizes rapid and accurate modeling through intuitive graphical interactions. Results are dynamically linked to the model, allowing users to interactively examine numerical data by sliding along members to observe variations in forces and deflections.

The structural assumptions involve pin-ended members at nodes, which effectively eliminate moments transfer and necessitate appropriate bracing schemes for stability. A comprehensive library of section profiles, as well as a section generator for common shapes—such as I/H, channel, Z, angle, T, oval, rectangular, and solid forms—facilitates efficient modeling. Material properties are sourced from an extensive database including steel, aluminum, concrete, timber, and glass, with options for user-defined materials.

The app supports multiple load types—point loads, couples, and trapezoidal distributions—and can analyze multiple load cases collectively with factored combinations. Gravity loads with self-weight calculations are included, and the results encompass reactions, deflections, bending moments, shear forces, and stress distributions. Results are accessible both graphically and numerically at any point along members or at specific points of interest.

The user interface caters to both casual and professional users through its universal design for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad devices. It offers metric and imperial units and features four primary interactive screens—Geometry, Loading, Results, and Utilities—for straightforward model creation and analysis. Modeling operations include selecting, editing, moving, copying geometry components, adjusting member spans, splitting members, and replicating loads efficiently via touches and gestures.

Graphical controls enable smooth navigation of views—rotation, panning, zooming—and manipulation of nodes and loads through dragging gestures. Users can read detailed result values by moving a marker along members or tapping on points of interest. Numeric inputs are simplified via double-tap data entry with an integrated calculator. The section library allows quick selection and visualization of profiles with options to customize shapes by editing dimensions directly; axes orientation can be rotated for convenience.

Report generation is flexible with configurable content layout options, providing on-screen previews and export capabilities via PDF email sharing or AirPrint. Additional utilities include document titling, unit system selection, online help access, as well as model load/save/export functions for workflow integration.