The FASTDES has been developed in the present study to expand the capabilities existing in the Frame Analysis Program. Therefore, FASTDES gives the structural engineer a better tool for analysis and design of the complex structural engineering, is able to statically analyze and design a complex structure in a fraction of time it would take manually and is able to obtain highly accurate answers.
FASTDES has general input geometry and standard input geometry. In general input geometry, the user must supply all geometry information where as in standard input geometry the program generates much of the input geometry required on its own. Following the geometry input process, FASTDES proceeds to select member properties as directed for each member type specified in the input geometry. The frame analysis program takes over after the member properties has been assigned. This set of routines determines the lengths and weights of the individual members, the structure center of gravity, the forces, displacements and rotations at each node of the structure. Member stress checking is next in sequence and is done according to the American Institute of Steel Construction Handbook. If any member is overstressed, the program cycles back to select the next larger size in the member table to which it belongs. The final output of FASTDES gives the engineer a summary of the problem solution. This allows him to check the answers over for input errors or loading systems inaccuracies and resubmit the program for another run if necessary. If it is desired for look at a problem in a variety of ways by varying constraints, loads or design, it can be done swiftly and accurately with FASTDES. Furthmore, this kinds of capabilities can't exist under normal engineering demand by any other means than a computer system; but with such a system, several alternate plans may be examined in less time than it would manually take to do only one.
FASTDES is a sophisticated system for frame analysis and design of structures that allows good flexibility. Besides the generalized and standardized geometry capability, FASTDES also allows the engineer the option of supplying his own member properties for use in a "one shot" analysis. This feature allows the analysis of an existing structure or for analysis of a structure made up of member other than those standardly available from the tables in the system. Also one can override the member tables in the system if it is desired.
FASTDES assumes that members of the problem structure are prismatic, isentropic and linearly elastic. It has a static analysis of linear, three dimensional systems that may be subjected to sets of arbitrarily prescribed and thermal loads.
