Calculations

Chain 40+ engineering calculation blocks — hydraulics, pipe design, cross-sections, beams (Roark), weld joints and weld groups — with automatic output feeding, section profiles and PDF export.

On this page
Overview Access & Permissions Getting Started Calculation Blocks Output Feeding Section Profiles Revisions Exporting Sharing Troubleshooting FAQ

Last updated: August 2026

Calculations overview

Overview

Calculations is a block-based engineering calculator. Each block holds inputs, a formula, and outputs; blocks can be chained so the output of one automatically feeds the next, and the whole sheet is evaluated in dependency order.

40+ block types cover hydraulics (10), pipe design (7 — pipe thickness B31.1/B31.3/AS 4041/HDPE/PP-R/PVC-U and pipe support span), cross-sections (8), beams (18 Roark cases), weld joints (5), and weld groups (10 Blodgett patterns). Work auto-saves, revisions are kept, and the finished calculation exports to a professional PDF.

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.

Screenshot
Add Calculation form and the empty block canvas.

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.
Screenshot
Add Block selector with calculation categories and a configured block.

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.
Screenshot
Calculation canvas showing blocks connected through upstream outputs.

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.
Screenshot
Roark beam block with end-condition selector, load marker and result diagrams.

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.

Screenshot
Cascading Region, Section Type and Section Size selectors.

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.
Screenshot
Material preset selector and the populated E-modulus field.

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.
Screenshot
Auto-save indicator and calculation revision controls.

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.
Screenshot
Calculation PDF export action and output preview.

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.
Screenshot
Share dialog and read-only calculation viewer.

Troubleshooting

IssueWhat to do
A beam shows OVERSTRESSEDIncrease the section size or reduce the load/spacing. The section utilisation check flags it for a reason.
An output I expected isn't appearingCheck the block's inputs are complete — chained blocks need upstream outputs to be populated first.
My section profile isn't listedConfirm the Region, then the Section Type — sizes depend on both selections.
Results didn't update after editingBlocks re-evaluate in dependency order on change. Re-open the block or add/refresh a downstream block.

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.