Calculations

Calculation Catalogue

Access & Permissions

• Calculations belong to a project and follow the standard project access rules.
• Files are locked while a review workflow is active.
• Shared links (7-day expiry) open a read-only viewer showing all blocks and results.

Getting Started

1. Open your project and click Add Calculation.
2. Enter a name and description.
3. The calculation editor opens with an empty block canvas.
4. Add your first block (below) — work is saved automatically as you go.

Start with a clear calculation name, then build the sheet from small, reviewable blocks. Outputs remain visible so another engineer can trace the calculation.

Adding Blocks

1. Click Add Block to open the block type selector.
2. Choose from 40+ block types across 6 categories:
   • Hydraulics (10 blocks) — pipe sizing, pressure loss, pump power, NPSH, and more.
   • Pipe Design (7 blocks) — pipe thickness (ASME B31.1, ASME B31.3, AS 4041, HDPE, PP-R, PVC-U) and pipe support span.
   • Cross-Section (8 blocks) — section properties.
   • Beams (18 Roark cases) — beam analysis.
   • Weld Joints (5 types).
   • Weld Groups (10 Blodgett patterns).
3. Each block loads with its relevant input fields, formulas, and output displays.

Chaining Blocks

• Arrange blocks in sequence — outputs from one block feed the next automatically.
• Drag to reorder blocks on the canvas.
• Duplicate blocks to reuse a configuration.
• The execution engine uses a topological sort, so blocks are always evaluated in dependency order regardless of the order you add them.

Roark Beam Calculations

1. Add a Beam block and select a load case (Cases 1, 3, or 5).
2. Choose the end conditions (free, guided, pinned, fixed combinations).
3. An interactive SVG reference diagram shows the beam configuration — drag the load position marker to adjust the load location.
4. Enter the span length, load magnitude, and cross-section properties.
5. The block computes and displays the shear (V), moment (M), and deflection (δ) diagrams.
6. A section utilisation check shows OK / MARGINAL / OVERSTRESSED.

Section Profile Selection

Select a section profile from cascading dropdowns:

1. Region: Australia.
2. Section Type: UB, UC, PFC, SHS, RHS, CHS, EA, UA.
3. Section Size: choose from the available sizes.

Properties auto-populate: Area (cm²), Moment of Inertia (cm⁴), Section Modulus (cm³), and Radius of Gyration (cm). Values are stored in cm and converted to mm on-the-fly for the calculations.

Material Library

• Select a material preset to auto-fill the E-modulus: Steel (200 GPa), Stainless Steel (193 GPa), Aluminum (69 GPa), Titanium (110 GPa), Copper (117 GPa), and more.
• Quick selection without needing to look up external references.

Auto-Save & Revisions

• Changes are saved automatically as you work.
• Full revision history with alpha → numeric promotion.
• Promote drafts to formal revisions for document control.

Exporting to PDF

1. Click Export PDF.
2. Generates a professional PDF with:
   • All blocks showing inputs, formulas, and outputs.
   • Embedded SVG diagrams for beam calculations.
   • Section profile data tables.
3. Perfect for design submissions and records.

Sharing

• Click Share to generate a signed URL with a 7-day expiry.
• Opens a read-only viewer showing all blocks and results — no account required.

Troubleshooting

FAQ

Do I need to save manually?

No — calculations auto-save as you work.

Can one block use another block's output?

Yes — chain blocks and the engine evaluates everything in dependency order (topological sort).

Which beam load cases are available?

Roark Cases 1, 3, and 5, with free/guided/pinned/fixed end-condition combinations and an interactive load-position drag handle.

Can I share a calculation with someone who isn't registered?

Yes — use Share to create a read-only signed link that expires after 7 days.