STEEL provides three tables to enter data. The members, sets of members, materials and cross-sections defined in RSTAB are preset in order to reduce the amount of input that is required. In many input situations, you can use the pick function offered by the program to select objects graphically. In addition, you have access to the global material and cross-section libraries.

The STEEL navigator on the left shows all input and output data and allows for a quick navigation. You can select different load cases, load groups, load and super combinations to combine them in special design cases.

Members and sets of members can be arranged in groups for different design cases. Take advantage of such groups to combine structural components or to define particular design specifications for them (limit stresses, partial safety factors, optimization). A separate dialog box allows you to specify comprehensive detail settings for the design.

STEEL is an efficient and timesaving software program which is easy to handle. Reasonable presettings reduce the required input to a minimum. Furthermore, you can use detailed settings to determine the design.

For each stress point STEEL compares the normal, shear and equivalent stresses with the allowable stresses. Particularly cost-efficient designs can be achieved by taking into account the plastic shape factors a_pl according to DIN 18800 part 1, element 250.

When analyzing superimposed internal forces of load combinations, you can select between two calculation options. The limit stresses of the most common standards can be selected from the library. Limit stresses that are not included can be added so that they will be available in the library for subsequent applications. 

STEEL calculates the stress ratios for every stress component during the design. The governing internal forces will be related to the type of stress selected by the user. The design is completed by determining the masses.

Subsequent to the design, STEEL displays the maximum stresses and stress ratios sorted by cross-sections, members, sets of members or x-locations in results tables. In addition to the result values listed in tables, the program always shows a graphic of the corresponding cross-section including stress points, stress diagram and values. The stress ratio can be displayed for any kind of stress type. Furthermore, it is possible to display all STEEL design results in RSTAB by using the load case list in the toolbar. The stress ratio is indicated by different colors in the analysis model. In this way, you can easily detect difficult or oversized structural components. The colors and values assigned can be modified.

Diagrams showing the result distribution on the member or set of members allow for a specific evaluation. Moreover, you can open a separate dialog box for each design location to check the relevant cross-section properties and stress components for all stress points. The respective graphic can be printed together with all design details.

For detailed design analyses, for example fatigue designs, STEEL can optionally display the stresses in all stress points. The numerical and graphical design results can be included in the RSTAB’s global printout report.

Finally, it is possible to export all tables to MS Excel or OpenOffice.org Calc or in a CSV file without any problems. All specifications required for the export are defined in a special transfer menu.