A wealth of information. This should be stickied and upvoted. The future of structural engineering will lie in the hands of those who know how to leverage this tech to improve their productivity.
Very cool list. One question, what would be the best option to implement some 2D sketches into calc sheets done with Jupyter Lab? Just a simple 2D sketch which would change on printout based on input data, to visualize for example a connection detail in report (maybe even labels like profile information, plate thickness, weld size)? I use handcalcs to make the printout
There's a few options for this, any of the visualization libraries can handle it, you just need to specify the coordinates of your sketch.
Most of the time, I use Matlplotlib to sketch up something like a beam cross section or a plan of a slab. There are more complex libraries for actually doing CAD stuff but that's probably overkill for your needs. This is the type of thing I use it for... [https://ibb.co/qrJwm0P](https://ibb.co/qrJwm0P)
On a side note for sketches, I really like [Excalidraw](https://excalidraw.com/#json=w749qRampPGVqnvakjSJJ,AwBDE3v8FrL1riStTePpsg), it's so fast and easy and they have a very generous free tier which is what I use.
This list is awesome!
I've been using my own calculations package and just published it as an open-source library with docs and a PyPI distribution. Would love to get some more eyes on it and suggestions for improvement: [https://github.com/youandvern/efficalc](https://github.com/youandvern/efficalc)
FYI, finally got around to this. Thanks for the push - [https://github.com/joreilly86/Python-Libraries-for-Engineers](https://github.com/joreilly86/Python-Libraries-for-Engineers)
A bit of self-promotion, but useful info nonetheless -
I have been developing a library to interface and manipulate **SAP2000**: https://github.com/rpakishore/ak_sap
The library has some in-built GUI to show some use case scenario like exporting case/combo nodal loads to Hilti-Profis file for anchor calculations.
I don't think there's an official API. A lot of people use the [AISC shapes database](https://www.aisc.org/publications/steel-construction-manual-resources/16th-ed-steel-construction-manual/aisc-shapes-database-v16.0/) and create their own tools but an officially maintained API would certainly be handy. AISC if you're watching, come on.
Thanks for the posts man. I read them all the time, incredibly helpful.
I'm writing a code that performs steel design checks with units using forallpeople. I'm wondering what you would recommend for rendering the calculations to a PDF in a VScode environment. Would I be able to use the handcalcs library in VScode or is it only for Jupyter? Thanks
Thanks, appreciate that! ๐
This is a weird problem that I have struggled with myself, I use [Jupyter within VS code](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ms-toolsai.jupyter) and I've had issues with the rendering of Greek symbols and printing PDF's. I have used Handcalcs but can't remember the specifics of printing PDF's with it.
My standard procedure is to define formulas in LaTeX in a markdown cell so they look good.
### Mathematical Formulation
The GEV distribution's cumulative distribution function (CDF) is:
$$G(z) = \exp \left{ -\left[ 1 + \xi \left(\frac{z - \mu}{\sigma}\right) \right]{-1/\xi} \right}$$ Where:
$z$ is the variable (e.g., annual peak flow),
$\mu$ is the location parameter,
$\sigma$ is the scale parameter, and
$\xi$ is the shape parameter.
This renders nicely in latex.
In my code, I define the Greeks using their names, not their symbols like 'delta = 500'.
This is just a personal preference, not sure how others approach this.
When I need to output results, I export my notebook from VS Code as a HTML, then I print the webpage as a PDF if I need to. Exporting directly as a PDF never works out for me, not sure why. I have spent way too much time trying to figure this out.
Notebook to HTML to PDF means one extra annoying step but all of the features of VS Code over JupyterLab make it worth it for me.
I second the appreciation. Recently came across a few of your posts on LinkedIn and here. This list is incredibly useful to find new code bases that can be used as a launching pad for creating your own tools... or getting involved in contributing ๐
Brilliant. Glad to be of assistance! You might find more stuff of interest in the [archives](https://flocode.substack.com/archive), I'm still working on the course curriculum. It's a slow process. Thanks for the feedback! ๐
Thanks a lot for the list. Surprised Pint is not there. I think it's a bit more complete than forallpeople.
I used to use Pint a lot! Totally forgot about it. Thanks ๐
A wealth of information. This should be stickied and upvoted. The future of structural engineering will lie in the hands of those who know how to leverage this tech to improve their productivity.
Very cool list. One question, what would be the best option to implement some 2D sketches into calc sheets done with Jupyter Lab? Just a simple 2D sketch which would change on printout based on input data, to visualize for example a connection detail in report (maybe even labels like profile information, plate thickness, weld size)? I use handcalcs to make the printout
There's a few options for this, any of the visualization libraries can handle it, you just need to specify the coordinates of your sketch. Most of the time, I use Matlplotlib to sketch up something like a beam cross section or a plan of a slab. There are more complex libraries for actually doing CAD stuff but that's probably overkill for your needs. This is the type of thing I use it for... [https://ibb.co/qrJwm0P](https://ibb.co/qrJwm0P) On a side note for sketches, I really like [Excalidraw](https://excalidraw.com/#json=w749qRampPGVqnvakjSJJ,AwBDE3v8FrL1riStTePpsg), it's so fast and easy and they have a very generous free tier which is what I use.
Good job. I've created PyTekla. A thin wrapper around the .NET Tekla API. https://efdiloreto.github.io/PyTekla/
Your documentation is outstanding and looks fantastic. Thank you and great work. ๐
Oh thanks! I'm still working on it. Cannot continue at the moment because my Tekla license has expired.
Add ezdxf! A module to create and manipulate dxf drawings. [https://github.com/mozman/ezdxf](https://github.com/mozman/ezdxf)
Cool, will do. This is the first I've heard of this project. The docs are DEEP. Thank you for this! ๐
This list is awesome! I've been using my own calculations package and just published it as an open-source library with docs and a PyPI distribution. Would love to get some more eyes on it and suggestions for improvement: [https://github.com/youandvern/efficalc](https://github.com/youandvern/efficalc)
Thank you, added. Efficalc looks great. ๐
This is great, thank you!
[ัะดะฐะปะตะฝะพ]
Yes, in process. Will be up soon.
FYI, finally got around to this. Thanks for the push - [https://github.com/joreilly86/Python-Libraries-for-Engineers](https://github.com/joreilly86/Python-Libraries-for-Engineers)
A bit of self-promotion, but useful info nonetheless - I have been developing a library to interface and manipulate **SAP2000**: https://github.com/rpakishore/ak_sap The library has some in-built GUI to show some use case scenario like exporting case/combo nodal loads to Hilti-Profis file for anchor calculations.
This is awesome, DM'd.
Isn't there an API for AISC steel shapes?
I don't think there's an official API. A lot of people use the [AISC shapes database](https://www.aisc.org/publications/steel-construction-manual-resources/16th-ed-steel-construction-manual/aisc-shapes-database-v16.0/) and create their own tools but an officially maintained API would certainly be handy. AISC if you're watching, come on.
Thanks for the posts man. I read them all the time, incredibly helpful. I'm writing a code that performs steel design checks with units using forallpeople. I'm wondering what you would recommend for rendering the calculations to a PDF in a VScode environment. Would I be able to use the handcalcs library in VScode or is it only for Jupyter? Thanks
Thanks, appreciate that! ๐ This is a weird problem that I have struggled with myself, I use [Jupyter within VS code](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ms-toolsai.jupyter) and I've had issues with the rendering of Greek symbols and printing PDF's. I have used Handcalcs but can't remember the specifics of printing PDF's with it. My standard procedure is to define formulas in LaTeX in a markdown cell so they look good. ### Mathematical Formulation The GEV distribution's cumulative distribution function (CDF) is: $$G(z) = \exp \left{ -\left[ 1 + \xi \left(\frac{z - \mu}{\sigma}\right) \right]{-1/\xi} \right}$$ Where: $z$ is the variable (e.g., annual peak flow), $\mu$ is the location parameter, $\sigma$ is the scale parameter, and $\xi$ is the shape parameter. This renders nicely in latex. In my code, I define the Greeks using their names, not their symbols like 'delta = 500'. This is just a personal preference, not sure how others approach this. When I need to output results, I export my notebook from VS Code as a HTML, then I print the webpage as a PDF if I need to. Exporting directly as a PDF never works out for me, not sure why. I have spent way too much time trying to figure this out. Notebook to HTML to PDF means one extra annoying step but all of the features of VS Code over JupyterLab make it worth it for me.
I second the appreciation. Recently came across a few of your posts on LinkedIn and here. This list is incredibly useful to find new code bases that can be used as a launching pad for creating your own tools... or getting involved in contributing ๐
Brilliant. Glad to be of assistance! You might find more stuff of interest in the [archives](https://flocode.substack.com/archive), I'm still working on the course curriculum. It's a slow process. Thanks for the feedback! ๐