Software Comparison
Comparison
The following table compares the features of spSlab 5.xx and its predecessors pcaSlab and ADOSS.
| FEATURE | ADOSS v7.01 | pcaSlab v1.11 | pcaSlab v1.51 | pcaSlab v2.0x | pcaSlab v2.5x | spSlab v3.xx | spSlab v5.00 | spSlab v5.50 |
| General | ||||||||
| Operating System | Microsoft Windows 3.1 or above (16/32-bit) | Microsoft Windows 98 or above (32-bit) | Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7 (32/64-bit) | Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows 7/8/10 (32/64-bit) | ||||
| Evaluation Version | No | Yes | ||||||
| Electronic documentation | WinHelp (.HLP) |
WinHelp (.HLP)
HtmlHelp (.CHM) Not Context Sensitive Manual (.PDF) |
WinHelp (.HLP)
Context Sensitive Manual (.PDF) |
WinHelp (.HLP) - XP (Context Sensitive)
HtmlHelp (.CHM) – Vista (Not Context Sensitive) Manual (.PDF) |
HtmlHelp (.CHM) (Context Sensitive)
Manual (.PDF) |
Web-based resources and online help options in the help menu | ||
| Printed Documentation | Printed Manual | On Demand | ||||||
| Floating Toolbar | No | Yes | ||||||
| Status bar | No | Yes | ||||||
| Auto Input (Wizard) | Yes. Forward functionality only | Yes. Works in both directions | ||||||
| Input Data File Format | ADOSS (.ADS) |
spSlab/pcaSlab (.SLB)
ADOSS (.ADS) File Import Filter PCA-Beam v1.x (.BMS) File Import Filter |
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| Input Data Examples | 6 | Over 30 | Over 90 | |||||
| Long File Names | No | Yes | ||||||
| Recent Files Menu | No | Yes | ||||||
| Modeling and Calculation | ||||||||
| Concrete Design Code ACI318 | 1995 |
2002
1999 |
2005
2002 1999 |
2011*
2008 2005 2002 1999 *spSlab v3.5 |
2014
2011 2008 2005 2002 1999 |
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| Concrete Design Code CSA A23.3 | 1994 | 1994 |
2004
1994 |
2014
2004 1994 |
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| Metric Units | Yes | Yes | ||||||
| US customary units | Yes | Yes | ||||||
| Investigation mode | No | Yes. Allows input of longitudinal and transverse bars | ||||||
| Reinforcing Bar Tables |
ASTM A615 U.S. Bar Sizes
ASTM A615 Metric Bar Sizes CSA G30.18 Metric Bar Sizes |
ASTM A615 - U.S. Bar Sizes
ASTM A615 - Metric Bar Sizes CSA G30.18 - Metric Bar Sizes prEN 10080 - Eurocode Metric User Defined |
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| 2-Way Structural system |
A selected predetermined slab system:
- Flat Plate - Flat Slab - Beam Supported Slab - Waffle Slab |
Any combination of slab systems:
- Flat Plate - Flat Slab - Beam Supported Slab - Two-way Joist System (Waffle Slab) |
Any combination of slab systems:
- Flat Plate - Flat Slab - Beam Supported Slab - Two-way Joist System (Waffle Slab) or Longitudinal Slab Band System (CSA A23.3-04 only) or Transverse Slab Band System (CSA A23.3-04 only) |
Any combination of slab systems:
- Flat Plate - Flat Slab - Beam Supported Slab - Two-way Joist System - Slab Band System |
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| 1-Way structural system |
A selected predetermined slab system:
- One-way slab - Beam |
No |
- One-way Slab
- One-way Joist System - Beam |
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| Changing of structural system type between spans | No (for complete model only) | Yes (but within one-way only or two-way only systems, not mixed) | ||||||
| Column Strip Width | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic or User-defined | |||||
| Moment Distribution Factors | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic or User-defined | |||||
| Shear Distribution | Slab/Beam - Automatic | Slab/Beam - Automatic | Slab/Beam - Automatic
or Column Strip/Middle Strip/Beam - Based on Moment Distribution Factors |
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| Maximum Number of Spans | 14 | 20 | ||||||
| Cantilevers | Yes. Always present in a model. | Yes. Selectable. | ||||||
| Load Cases | 3, Fixed: Dead, Live, Lateral |
Up to 6, Default:
Self, Dead, Live, Wind, EQ |
Up to 6, Default:
Self, Dead, Live, Snow, Wind, EQ |
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| Load Combinations | 3 | Up to 20 | Up to 50 | |||||
| Self-weight Automatically Computed | Yes | Yes | Yes
(Optional) |
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| Lateral Load Cases |
Yes.
One lateral load case only. |
Yes. Multiple lateral load cases possible | ||||||
| Loads per load case (DL or LL) | Up to 100 partial loads | Up to 100 partial loads | ||||||
| Pattern live loading | Yes | Yes | ||||||
| Number of segments per span | 20 |
Up to 100.
Variable segment lengths depending on span geometry. |
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| Compression Reinforcement | No | Yes | ||||||
| Torsion Analysis and Design | Transverse beams only. | Not applicable | Yes. Applies to beams only. | |||||
| Beams in Two-way System Include Flanges | No | No | Yes (optional) | |||||
| Beams Contribute to Transfer of Negative Moments over Supports in Two-way Systems | No | No | Yes (optional) | |||||
| Drop Panel Contributes to One-way Shear Capacity | Yes | No | Yes (optional) | |||||
| Punching Shear Check for One-sided Drop Panels | Yes | No | Yes | |||||
| Adjustment of gf factor for punching shear calculations | No | No | Yes (optional) | |||||
| Proportioning of Longitudinal Reinforcement for Combined Flexure, Shear, and Torsion | No | No | Yes
(CSA A23.3-04 only with M-V-T Design option) |
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| Moment Redistribution | No | Not applicable | Yes. Applies to beams and one way slabs only. | |||||
| Displacement | Instantaneous | Instantaneous | Instantaneous
Long-term |
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| Visualization and Reporting | ||||||||
| Geometry View - Isometric | Yes | Yes | ||||||
| Geometry View - Plan | Yes | Yes | ||||||
| Geometry View - Elevation | Yes | Yes | ||||||
| Geometry View - Side | No | Yes | ||||||
| Bending Moment Graph | Yes. Selectable for single span. | Yes. Selectable for whole structure or single span. | ||||||
| Moment Capacity Graph | No | Yes. Selectable for whole structure or single span. Each strip shown individually. | Yes. For beams both original and redistributed moments can be displayed. | |||||
| Longitudinal Reinforcement Capacity Graph for Combined Flexure, Shear, and Torsion | No | No | Yes
(CSA A23.3-04/14 only with M-V-T Design option) |
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| Shear Force Graph | Yes. Selectable for single span. | Yes. Selectable for whole structure or single span. | Yes. For beams both original and redistributed shear forces can be displayed. | |||||
| Torsional Moment Graph | No | Not applicable | Yes. For beams only. | |||||
| Shear Capacity Graph | No | Yes. Combined with Shear Force Graph. | Yes. For beams combined shear and torsion capacity can be displayed. | |||||
| Reactions | Envelope values of column moments at joints | Column reactions at joints and far ends for all load cases (including patterns) | Column reactions at joints and far ends and spring reactions for all load cases (including patterns) and all load combinations (including patterns) | |||||
| Cracked section properties | Yes (Ieff only) | No | Yes (extensive info) | |||||
| Deflection Graph | Yes. Selectable for single span. | Yes. Selectable for whole structure or single span. | ||||||
|
Longitudinal and transverse
reinforcement graph |
No | Yes. Selectable for whole structure or single span. | ||||||
| Surface Loads Graph | Yes. Fixed for whole structure. | Yes. Selectable for whole structure or single span. | ||||||
| Dead Loads Graph | Yes. Fixed for whole structure | Yes. Selectable for whole structure or single span. | ||||||
| Live Loads Graph | Yes. Fixed for whole structure | Yes. Selectable for whole structure or single span. | Yes. Selectable for a load pattern and whole structure or single span. | |||||
| Units Shown on Load Graph | No | No | Yes | |||||
| Graphical Screen Copy | No | Yes. Can be saved as bitmap (.BMP) or metafile (.EMF). | ||||||
| Graph Customization (popup menu) | No | Yes | ||||||
| Print Preview | No | Yes. Available for graphical windows. | ||||||
| Zoom Window | Yes. Only geometry view windows. | Yes | ||||||
| Zoom In / Zoom Out | No | Yes | ||||||
| Panning | No | Yes | ||||||
| Selectable angles for isometric view | Yes | Yes | ||||||
|
Rotating and panning
using key strokes |
No | Yes | ||||||
| Selective view of structural members | Yes | Yes | ||||||
| Text Report |
Yes. Page layout customizable
before executing calculations. |
Yes. Page layout customizable after executing calculations. | Yes. Page layout customizable after executing calculations. Font selection. | |||||
| Segmental Output for Internal Forces and Deflections | Yes | Yes | ||||||
| Segmental Output for Longitudinal Reinforcement | No | No | Yes | |||||
| Text Screen Copy | No | Yes | ||||||
| Text Report File |
Yes. ASCII text file (.OUT)
Generated during execution of calculations. |
Yes. ASCII text file (.OUT)
Generated on viewing the results report window. |
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| spResults for viewing and exporting input and output data | No | No | Yes | |||||
| spReporter for generating, viewing, exporting, and printing reports | No | No | Yes | |||||
| Customization | ||||||||
| User-controlled color settings | Yes | Yes | ||||||
| User-controlled default data directory | Yes | Yes | ||||||
| User-controlled default design code | Yes | Yes | ||||||
| User-controlled default rebar table | No | Yes | ||||||